HOW WE CAME TO BE
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.
MILESTONES
2016
Represented NCJWC at the Centennial Gala recognizing 100 years of some women’s right to vote in Manitoba.
2015
- Winnipeg turns 90
- Lieutenant Governor Janice Filmon host a reception in honor of Winnipeg Section’s anniversary
The 21st Century
- Partnering with the Rady JCC on a Health Education series
- Books for Kids project established
- Backpacks for Kids project initiated this year
- Shalach Monat packages continuing project since the 1970s
- Organ and Tissue donation education and registration
- Human Trafficking -education, programming and advocating with the Federal
- Government legislation. Held educational sessions on MMIWG and Fair Trade Awareness.
- Partnered with Rady JCC on first annual Jewish Women’s Symposium (2016)
- Launched project with JCFS for the first ever Western Canada Jewish Recovery and Resource Centre
1990’s
- English as a second Language taught to new immigrants
- Taking Charge by Taking Care of our Breast Self-examination program co-sponsored with the Canadian Cancer Society
- Opportunity Store was renamed Just a Second
- Council became an active member of the Coalition of Jewish Women for the GET (Jewish Divorce)
- Worked with the Winnipeg Jewish Community Council, now called Jewish
- Federation of Winnipeg, on a Welcome to Winnipeg Program
- Play readers revived
1980’s
- Hosted Citizenship Court and still do this today
- Initiated Bar/Bat Mitzvah Twinning with youth from Soviet Union Jewish children
- Supported Adult Education Centre
- Women and Pensions study presented to the Federal minister of health
- Health Education and Learning Project ( HELP) was initiated
- Purchased 1588 Main Street, the current home of the Gwen Secter Creative
- Living Centre – formerly the Golden Age Club
1970’s
- Angels Balls continued annually
- Established a link with Israel Family Counseling Association (IFCA) in
- 1973. It is now also known as ALUMA
- Tay Sachs testing , Citizen Impact and Project Hospitality were initiated
- Purim packages were sent to families in need, through Jewish Child and Family Service (JCFS)
- The Learners’ Box was placed in Winnipeg public schools. These were teaching and learning tools for non-Jewish students and teachers. It contained cultural and religious items and information that could be used to learn about Jewish Customs, holidays and traditions.
- A brief was presented to the City of Winnipeg and the province of Manitoba “Suicide about Winnipeg Youth”
- Life memberships were established in Winnipeg first, before the rest of Canada
- The first Shalom Square at Folklorama was at Council House at 410 Pritchard
1960’s
- Audiometer testing for all Grade one students in Winnipeg-One School Division and Jewish Day schools
- Members volunteered in the Core area schools with aboriginal children
- Established a counseling program for women returning to university
- School for Citizen Participation established
- A brief to government which paved the way for Guidance Counselors in every Manitoba School
- Council purchased its first building for the Golden Age Club at 410 Pritchard Ave
- 1966 was the first Angels Ball which became the hi-lite of the social season
- Block Parent was established by NCJWC London Section, and Winnipeg followed
- Council members volunteered at the Indian and Metis Friendship Centre
1950’s
- Mental Health play reading established
- Selkirk Mental Hospital visiting program began
- Winnipeg Section hosted the 6th NCJWC National Convention
- A $5,000 grant was given to the Canadian Mental Health Foundation
- Scholarships for Jewish camps and schools as well as U of Manitoba students
- Annual Tea for the Blind was initiated and funds were sent to CNIB
- Council members volunteers at the Winnipeg General Hospital through the White Cross Guild
1949
- The Opportunity Store, the NCJW thrift shop was opened
- Council funded and built a sun room at Deer Lodge Hospital, a veterans Hospital
1948
The Golden Age Club, the first Drop in Centre for seniors was established in Canada.
1940’s
- Working with judges in the Juvenile Court system. The object was not to punish but to coordinate with outside agencies to reform delinquent children. Council members attended court where Jewish juveniles were before the court
- During the WWII a baby gift shop flourished
- A library was established at Camp Shilo, an armed forces base and a mobile blood unit was donated to the Red Cross
- Ship a Box began after WWII and clothing was sent to refugees in Europe.
- Winnipeg Section help establish orphanages in Holland, France and Switzerland
1930’s
- Distribution of new and used clothing to the poor
- Supplying of surgical supplies and fittings for hospital patients who were unable to pay
- Assisted students who needed financial help
- Pre and postnatal help for women who required baby supplies such as carriages and cribs
- Volunteering at the Good Neighbour Club – a drop in centre of unemployed men
- Sending children and their mothers to summer camp
1925
- Founding of Winnipeg Section
- Classes in English and Citizenship are taught to new immigrants
1897
Assisted immigrants and refugees with English classes, and aided their adjustment into Canadian society.
