- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- Level
- Fonds
- Fonds
- 38
- Material Format
- multiple media
- Date
- [190-]-2002
- Physical Description
- 2.6 m of textual records and other material
- Admin History/Bio
- The National Council of Jewish Women of Canada (NCJWC) was the first national Jewish women's organization in Canada. The council had its beginnings among the urban elite, and played a strong role over the years in influencing public policy in such areas as relations with Israel, national unity, and the plight of world Jewry. The NCJWC is dedicated, in the spirit of Judaism, to furthering human welfare in the Jewish and general communities -- locally, nationally and internationally. It operated around three main pillars: service, education, and social action.
- The National Council of Jewish Women was founded in the United States in 1893 by activist Hannah G. Solomon. In 1897, its first Canadian chapter was established in Toronto. In 1925, with seven chapters in Canada, a Canadian liaison position to the National Council of Jewish Women was created. A full-fledged “Canadian Division” of the NCJW was formed in 1934, with rules drafted at the first conference in Winnipeg three years later. Irene Samuel served as the Canadian Division’s first national president. In 1943, the division was renamed the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, and was officially incorporated in 1944, though it did not receive its letters patent until three years later. Even so, the NCJWC still retained some affiliation with the NCJW, whereby they paid per-capita dues to the Americans in return for program and administrative materials. In 1967 the NCJWC ceased these payments altogether, thereby separating from NCJW completely.
- The early NCJWC focused on providing service to young girls and immigrants. They also involved themselves in contemporary politics through support for the war effort; the council donated vehicles to the Red Cross, turned Council House into a servicemen's centre, and even built several libraries at Canadian army camps. A national office opened ca. 1950 in Toronto, but until 1966 it moved to the national president's home city with every election. That year the office was permanently anchored in Toronto. In the 1950s and 1960s the council established Good Age clubs, the Irene Samuel Scholarship Fund, and developed the national Higher Horizons child-care and Newer Horizons elder-care programs. It expanded its overseas programs with support for the Israel Family Counseling Association and Ship-a-Box. The Soviet Jewry projects in the 1970s and 1980s reflected the council’s increasing emphasis on social action. Since the late 1990s, the council has focused on women's issues with efforts such as the Breast Self-Examination (BSE) program.
- The NCJWC was governed by an executive council, led by a president. Vice-presidents were each responsible for one portfolio, such as membership, public affairs, etc., which were in turn made up of a number of national committees. The national executive was responsible for producing by-laws, guidelines, policies and procedures, as well as developing national service and social action programs. National also provided support and program materials to the sections, and held biennial meetings every other year from 1937 in cities across Canada. Its decentralized structure meant that while the national office remained in Toronto, officers of the executive have resided right across the country.
- As of 1997, the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada was an affiliate member of the International Council of Jewish Women, a member of UNESCO Canadian Subcommission of the Status of Women, and a member of the Coalition of Jewish Women Against Domestic Violence and the Coalition for Agunot Rights. Prominent past presidents include Mrs. Harry (Irene) Samuel, Mrs. Lucille Lorie, Dr. Reva Gerstein, Mozah Zemans, Mina Hollenberg, Sophie Drache, Thelma Rolingher, Helen Marr, Bunny Gurvey, Sheila Freeman, Penny Yellen, and Gloria Strom. The council’s national office moved to Winnipeg in November, 1993. As of 2006, the council still had 5 active sections in Canada: Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto and Montreal.
- Custodial History
- NCJWC donated these records to the OJA after they had finished a historical exhibit and catalogue in 1997 called "Faith and Humanity," celebrating 100 years of NCJWC.
- Scope and Content
- The fonds documents NCJWC’s fundraising, social service and social action work in Toronto, in other cities across the country, and overseas. Records include conference and meeting programs, minutes, hand-written correspondence, speeches and reports, national newsletters, published histories, by-laws and policies, photographs, publicity material, historical subject files and artifacts. The records have been arranged into nine series: National biennial conventions and annual meetings; National Executive Council; National portfolios and committees; National program and event materials; National history research and subject files; International Council of Jewish Women; Toronto Section; Photos and audio-visual material; and National Council of Jewish Juniors, Toronto Section.
- Notes
- Physical description note: includes ca. 2470 photographs, 13 architectural drawings, 2 artistic drawings, 3 badges, 3 medals, 1 pin, 28 audio cassettes, and 1 videocassette.
- Name Access
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada
- Subjects
- Women
- Related Material
- See also: photographs 3207, 3192, 4140, 4067, 4066, 4434; Accession 1977-8-7 for National Council of Jewish Women of Welland; National Council of Jewish Juniors, photographs 458, 459, 460, 463, 464, 465, 466, 468; MG2 B-1K
- Arrangement
- Records have been arranged by function, in accordance with information gleaned from NCJWC's organizational charts and annual reports
- Creator
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada
- Accession Number
- 2001-8-4
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National biennial conventions and annual meetings series
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 1
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- object
- Date
- 1933-1997
- Physical Description
- 30 cm of textual records
- 51 photographs : b&w and col. (28 negatives) ; 21 x 26 cm or smaller
- 6 objects
- Admin History/Bio
- The National Council of Jewish Women of Canada held national conventions every second year starting in 1937. Annual meetings took place in between convention years.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of programs, minutes, reports, photographs, badges and medals from these biennial conventions and annual meetings. It also includes Ida Strauss’ delegate’s badge to the 1933 National Council of Jewish Women convention in St. Louis.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National biennial conventions and annual meetings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 1
- File
- 5
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1950
- Physical Description
- 1 photograph : b&w ; 21 x 26 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of one photograph. On the back of the photograph is written: "1948–1953 (1950)!!! Biennial Meeting that year was held in Winnipeg."
- Notes
- Physical description: Photographer's stamp on verso.
- Subjects
- Portraits, Group
- Repro Restriction
- Copyright may not be held by the Ontario Jewish Archives. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain permission prior to use.
- Places
- Winnipeg (Man.)
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National biennial conventions and annual meetings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 1
- File
- 9
- Material Format
- graphic material
- Date
- 1969
- Physical Description
- 4 photographs : b&w and col. ; 9 x 11 cm and 9 x 9 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of 4 photographs taken at the National Council Convention in Victoria and Vancouver, B.C. in May 1969. Includes photographs taken at the UBC Faculty Club and of Florence and Ida at Butchart Gardens in Victoria.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National biennial conventions and annual meetings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 1
- File
- 17
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1987
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of convention programme, agenda and correspondence for the biennial convention, which took place May 20-22, 1987, and the triennial convention of the International Council of Jewish Women, which took place May 23-27, 1987, in Vancouver, B.C.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National biennial conventions and annual meetings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 1
- File
- 18
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Date
- 1987
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- 6 photographs : col. ; 10 x 15 cm
- Scope and Content
- File consists of convention booklets and programmes, minutes booklet and programme highlights and one envelope containing 6 photographs for the biennial convention, which took place May 20-22, 1987, and the triennial convention of the International Council of Jewish Women, which took place May 23-27, 1987, in Vancouver, B.C. Identified in the photographs are: Sheila Freeman, Ronnie Waxman, Gloria Rodin, Nita Goldband, Barbara Grafstein, Barbara Greenglass, Ruth Bloom, Janice Landy, Eveline Berger, Sarah Shnider, Faye Mosoff and Bunny Gurvey.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National biennial conventions and annual meetings series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 1
- File
- 30
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1996
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of an education report featuring the Toronto, Hamilton, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Edmonton sections reports, a NCJW communications strategy for the Centennial, budget report, financial statements, and Community Health Education Initiative.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National Executive Council series
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 2
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1933-1988
- Physical Description
- 8 cm of textual records
- Admin History/Bio
- The National Executive Council was the main governing body of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada.
- Scope and Content
- Series is composed of two sub-series: National Presidents and National Administration.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National Executive Council series
- Presidents sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 2-1
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- [193-?]-1987
- Physical Description
- 4 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Sub-series consists of speeches, reports and correspondence generated by various presidents of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada. It includes Irene Samuel's handwritten speeches and reports from the 1930s. Samuel, the first president of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, was involved in the formation of council's Canadian division.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National Executive Council series
- Presidents sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 2-1
- File
- 3
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1972
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of correspondence to federal Members of Parliament and Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau, and responses written on behalf of Trudeau.
- Name Access
- Canada. Prime Minister (1968-1979 : Trudeau)
- Subjects
- Canada. Parliament
- Prime ministers--Canada
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National Executive Council series
- Administration sub-series
- Level
- Sub-series
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 2-2
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1957-1988
- Physical Description
- 4 cm of textual records
- Scope and Content
- Sub-series consists of one-time publications and communications produced by the administrative function of the National Excecutive Council for use by executive, as well as general, members of the National Council of Jewish Women of Canada. These publications document council's history, functions and goals.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National Executive Council series
- Administration sub-series
- Level
- File
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 2-2
- File
- 5
- Material Format
- textual record
- Date
- 1985
- Physical Description
- 1 folder of textual records
- Scope and Content
- File consists of a letter from Carolyn Libin, chairperson of the Scholarship Committe, to councillors and section presidents requesting an accurate picture regarding the availability and demand for Canadian-trained Hebrew/Jewish teachers, and a response from Anne Lieberman.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions
- Part Of
- National Council of Jewish Women of Canada fonds
- National portfolios and committees series
- Level
- Series
- Fonds
- 38
- Series
- 3
- Material Format
- textual record
- graphic material
- Date
- 1937-1995
- Physical Description
- 8 cm of textual records
- 2 photographs
- Admin History/Bio
- The National Council of Jewish Women of Canada conducted its activites through a number of national portfolios, each headed by a national vice-president and composed of a number of committees.
- Scope and Content
- Series consists of reports, publicity, guidelines, by-laws, and other material generated by these various national committees and portfolios. It also includes fairly full sets of the national periodicals Canadian Council Women, Keeping You Posted and The New Edition.
- Source
- Archival Descriptions