At the end of the 19th century, Canada was barely 30 years old and the population had not yet reached the 5 million mark, there were about 12,000 Canadians of Jewish origin. About 6,000 lived in Montreal and 3,000 in Toronto. The others were settled in smaller communities across Canada.
In 1897 Toronto established the first section of National Council of Jewish Women. This occurred only 4 years after the parent organization was formed in Chicago in 1893.
In 1925 a group of 75 enthusiastic and dedicated women met at the Royal Alexandra Hotel with a NCJW American representative. This meeting marked the founding of National Council of Jewish Women of Canada, Winnipeg Section and elected Mrs. S. Hart Green its President.
The first Winnipeg Section project was initiated to help the great number of immigrants who came to live in Winnipeg. Classes in English and Citizenship were offered. The classes were organized by Council volunteers. These volunteers served as teachers and became the pupils’ confidants and friends. They helped the new immigrants adjust to their new homeland. Another project adopted was the systematic distribution of new and used clothing to the poor through a central clothes bureau. Another program in the early days was a program that provided surgical supplies and fittings for hospital patients, free of charge, for those who were unable to pay.
WHO WE ARE
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MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2017
LC
Kathy , Sharon, Sharon, Ellyn
Advisory board: Dianne Glass, Laura Richman, Marjorie Blankstein, Sharon Wolchock
PRESIDENTIAL HISTORY
*Mrs. Hart Green 1925-1928
*Mrs. M. Heppner 1928-1930
*Mrs. S. Rodin 1930-1932
*Mrs. H. Genaske 1932-1934
*Becky Morton 1934-1936
*Francis Kay 1936-1938
*Thelma Ginsberg 1938-1940
*Sally Israels 1940-1942
*Mina Hollenberg 1942-1944
*Rose Rady 1944-1948
*Isabel Wolinsky 1946-1948
*Clara Miles 1948-1950
*Lynn Rosenfield 1950-1952
*Frema Berman 1952-1954
*Sophie Krindle 1954-1956
Riva Levi 1956-1958
*Sula Zeal 1958-1960
*Ruth Crystal 1960-1962
*Sarah Duboff 1962-1965
Marjorie Blankstein 1965-1967
Carol Slater 1967
Mildred Devins 1967-1971
Jean James 1972-1973
iBunny Gurvey 1973-1975
Ruthy Gale 1975-1977
Betty Searle 1977-1979
Carol Litman 1979
Penny Yellen 1979-1981
Dianne Glass 1981-1984
Carla Goldstein 1984-1986
Sharon Wolchock 1986-1989
Laura Richman 1989-1991
Elaine Goldstine 1991-1993
Phyllis Spigelman 1993-1995
Sharon Allentuck 1995-1997
Glenna Kay 1997-2000
Shelley Pfeffer 1997-1999
Susan Lipnowski 2000-2002
Cheryl Kessler 2000-2002
Susan Clark 2002-2003
Maxine Zabenskie 2003-2006
Rose Aziman 2006-2011
Michelle Glass 2011-2013
Cindy Lazar 2011- 2017
* Deceased
AFFILIATIONS
The International Council of Jewish Women (ICJW) was founded in Rome, Italy in 1912 but because of interruptions of two world wars, it functioned only intermittently until after the Second World War. It was revived at a meeting held in Paris, France in 1949. Canada was represented at this historic meeting. Since then, two Canadians have held the position of President of the ICJW. Today, ICJW represents 43 affiliate Jewish women’s organizations in five continents.
For more information about the International Council of Jewish Women go to www.icjw.org
Through its affiliation with the International Council of Jewish Women, NCJWC is member of the Coalition of Jewish Women against Domestic Violence and the Coalition for Agunot Rights.
Through its affiliation with the International Council of Jewish Women, NCJWC is a member of the UNESCO Sub commission on the status of women.
BRANCHES
active branches:
– Women Working
BOOK CLUBS
book club:
Irene Samuels Book Club
