History – NCJW Greater Dallas Section

In 1913, a group of 75 women formed the first Jewish women’s organization in Dallas – the National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Dallas Section. Then, as now, NCJW has been at the forefront of social change – championing the needs of women, children, and families – while courageously taking a progressive stance on such issues as child welfare, women’s rights, and reproductive freedom.

Inspired by Jewish values – and our understanding that these values are universal – NCJW is the place where women come together to make the world at large and their communities in particular a better place.

NCJW History Video

Click here to learn about the NCJW Centennial Celebration

The NCJW Dallas History Book – Coming Soon!

Bette Miller has undertaken the task of producing a history book. Marlene Cohen has worked closely with her as has Rosy Stromberg

2000 to now

Presidents 2000-2002 Julie Lowenberg 2002-2004 Kyra Effren 2004-2006 Marlene Cohen 2006-2008 Sue Tilis 2008-2010 Cheryl Pollman 2010-2012 Barbara Lee 2012-2014 Robin Zweig 2014-2016 Caren Edelstein 2016-present Joyce Rosenfield The year 2002 brought the formation of Hannah’s Group, our advocacy arm, … Continue reading →

1990-2000

Presidents: 1990-1992 Joni Cohan 1992-1994 Phyllis Bernstein 1994-1996 Jody Platt 1996-1998 Maddy Unterberg 1998-2000 Kathy Freeman In 1990, Mayor Annette Strauss, an NCJW member, welcomed the delegates to the last NCJW Southern District Convention. Evening Branch presented Norma McCorvey in … Continue reading →

1980-1990

Presidents: 1980-1982 Marsha Fischman 1982-1984 Janice Sweet 1984-1986 Joy Mankoff 1986-1988 Brenda Brand 1988-1990 Darrel Strelitz 1981 saw the formation of Professional Branch as an auxiliary group for both women and men. In 1982, SHARE, a tribute fund for social … Continue reading →

1970-1980

Presidents: 1970-1972 Katherine Bauer 1972-1974 Janet Newberger* 1974-1976 Bette Miller 1976-1978 Betty Dreyfus 1978-1980 Sylvia Lynn Benenson * of blessed memory 1970 brought a social worker in the Jail with NCJW paying his salary. A first for Dallas! The first … Continue reading →

1960-1970

Presidents: 1960-1962 Pat Peiser 1962-1964 Anita Marcus* 1964-1966 Selma Ross* 1966-1968 Edna Flaxman* 1968-1970 Jeanne Fagadau * of blessed memory 1960 marked the beginning of the Section’s first community-wide project: Operation Lift (Literacy Instruction for Texas). The challenge of the … Continue reading →

1950-1960

Presidents: 1950-1952 Lorraine Schein* 1952-1954 Sara Waldman* 1954-1956 Edna Cohen* 1956-1958 Marie Bitterman* 1958-1960 Bette Schuttler* * of blessed memory In 1951 the Section pioneered the first after-school program. A teacher, who was coincidentally a Section Vice President, broached the … Continue reading →

1940-1950

Presidents 1940-1941 Felice Bromberg* 1941-1943 Marguerite Marks* 1943-1943 Ann Berwald* 1943-1944 Mayme Janow* 1944-1946 Fannie Kahn* 1946-1948 Mildred Sack* 1948-1950 Rosine Orff* * of blessed memory In 1941 Section lent eighty-four workers to the largest volunteer project ever attempted in … Continue reading →

1930-1940

Presidents: 1931-1933 Thekla Brin* 1933-1934 Sarah Strauss* 1934-1936 Amelia Mintz* 1936-1937 Estelle Shaw* 1937-1940 Ruth Koch* * of blessed memory During this decade one of the major commitments was the ongoing project for the blind. Section purchased an automobile to … Continue reading →

1920-1930

Presidents: 1921-1923 Gussie Utay * 1923-1924 Grace Goldstein* 1924-1925 Grace Goldstein Neuman* 1925-1927 Stella Andress* 1927-1929 Rae Mittenthal* 1929-1931 Grace Florence* * of blessed memory At the age of ten, Dallas Section could count many accomplishments without being aware of … Continue reading →

1913-1920

Presidents: 1913-1915 Grace Goldstein* 1915-1919 Minnie Hexter* 1919-1921 Jennie Rosenfield* * of blessed memory At the heart of the new Section was Community Service. Five volunteer projects were underway as early as 1914 – Immigrant Aid, Medical Inspection of Schools, … Continue reading →