MISSION

NCJW|LA is committed to advancing economic justice for women and their families. In addition to our direct service programs; we support the passage of laws and policies that ensure economic security, promote dignity in the workplace, and expand the safety net for families who are struggling.

HISTORY

NCJW | LA has a proud history. The women that founded NCJW | LA were committed to bringing about social and political change to improve the quality of life for women, children, and families.

It is interesting to note that it was men who inspired the creation of NCJW at the 1893 World Exposition in Chicago. The male-led Jewish delegation to the exposition’s World’s Parliament of Religions asked Hannah G. Solomon to contact female leaders across the country for a concurrent Jewish Women’s Congress.

Hannah received responses from 95 women, who were then asked by the men to serve tea and coffee at their meetings. This was not what Hannah had in mind. Instead, she founded NCJW at the Jewish Women’s Congress, calling on women to shape the destinies of American lives. In 1909 Rachel Kauffman answered Hannah’s call by recruiting 15 progressive women to form the Los Angeles section of NCJW.

NCJW | LA has always been a powerful catalyst for social change. We have consistently tackled the complex social challenges of the day while filling gaps in the social services needed within our community.

Highlights

1990 - Present

  • Added Art Bridges Culture and our After School Homework Clubs to our youth programs, enabling children to improve their academic skills.
  • Created Life Skills Workshops to help women and families become self-sufficient.
  • Launched the Los Angeles edition of NCJW’s national Campaign for Contraceptive Access.
  • Established an annual lobbying day to advocate for women’s issues with the California State Legislature.
  • Joined with other women’s groups to found the Jewish Women’s Conference of Southern California.
  • Created the Advocacy Training Project to help volunteers become effective advocates on important social issues
  • Established the Human Trafficking Taskforce to spearhead the implementation in Los Angeles County of California State Law SB 1193 on human trafficking.
  • Launched the Community Psychiatric Resource Project to provide access to psychiatric services.
  • Created the Back 2 School Store to help students in need to receive new clothes for school.
  • Established monthly educational panels with experts on issues that affect and impact women, children, and families. Created legislative working groups to address the issues of human trafficking, gender-related violence, reproductive justice, gun violence prevention, health care, and economic justice.
  • Created Young Professional Leadership Circle.
  • Created Teen Advocacy Working Group.
  • Council Thrift Shops grew to eight locations.

1990-1999

  • Established art and literacy educational programs for youth, including Teen Mother Literacy, Art Pals and Light Up a Library
  • Founded a scholarship program to help women obtain degrees in nursing and other areas.
  • Established and annual ClothingGiveaway by Council Thrift Shops.
  • Installed and dedicated the community mural “Not Somewhere Else, But Here” by Daryl E. Wells and SPARC on the north side of Council House building.