THE JEWISH CHRONICLE
The only Jewish publication in the State of Michigan
Devoted to the interests of the Jewish people
Vol. I. No. 9
DETROIT, MICH., APRIL 28, 1916
$1.50 per Year
Single Copies 5 Cents
The Silver Anniversary of the Jewish Woman's Club
And so the Jewish Woman's Club has been true to its ideals and it
HEY builded better than they knew who a quarter of a century
comes to its Silver Anniversary in glory and in strength. The Jewish
ago founded the Jewish Woman's Club of Detroit,
community of Detroit may well be proud of this organization whose
from the small beginnings, has grown into one of t::e largest
splendid past augurs an increase of the successful endeavor in the years
and most powerful bodies of Jewish women in this country,
that lie before it.
'Though, unlike most of its sister organizations it is unaffiliated with
The work of the Jewish Woman's Club covers a large and varied field
any national Jewish society—its only affiliations being with the City of usefulness. Its charitable activities are too well known to need com-
and state Federations of Women's Clubs—the Jewish Woman's Club ment or elaboration. It contributes a great deal to the effectiveness of
has exerted a very wide influence upon the Jewish womanhood of this
the United Hebrew Charities. It serves penny lunches to the children
community and state, and has been directly and indirectly the inspira- attending the Bishop School, situated in the very heart of Detroit's
tion for other organizations to take up educational and social work Ghetto, and the Clinton School, over half of the children of which are
Jewish. These lunches enable hundreds of children daily to eat healthy,
among Jewish women.
Conditions in Detroit twenty-five years ago were very different nourishing food who otherwise would have gone hungry. And recently
it rendered splendid service to the cause of the Jewish War Sufferers by
than they are today. As compared with this great metropolis, our city
then was a mere village. Instead of a population of sixty thound collecting several thousands of dollars.
The Jewish Woman's Club maintains a domestic science class, where
Jews, there may have been here at most five or six thousand. The
line between Orthodoxy and Reform was not as sharply drawn as it Jewish girls are instructed in the modern scientific management of the
household. These classes are conducted at
is now. There were practically but two con-
Temple
Beth El every Monday afternoon,
gregations of size and influence in the city,
and have been unustplly successful in at-
though both together did not hold a mem-
tendance. One-third pf all dues go to the
bership equal to one-fourth of the present
maintenance of a scholarship fund, known as
membership roll of either of the more prom-
the Ida E. Ginsburg Scholarship Fund,
inent synagogues today. Nor were social
through which many Jewish girls beCome
classes as clearly defined as they are now.
independent and self-supporting who other-
Comparatively few Jewish women in those
wise would have been a burden upon others.
days were engaged in industrial pursuits.
The Club is also very active in the promo-
Those who were engaged in gainful occupa-
tion of the study of literature and the drama,
tions were, for the most part, employed in
conducting
weekly reading circles and being
the schools or in office positions. Nonethe-
affiliated with the Drama League of
less, far-sighted men and women in those
America.
(lays realized that the religious, the social
The twenty-fifth anniversary of its found-
and the economic differences of the Jewish
ing will be c e l e b r a t e d by the Jewish
women of the community were sufficient to
Woman's Club at a banquet and entertain-
make some center where all the Jewish
ment to be given by it at the Phoenix Club
women of the city might meet on • equal
on May 2. A very elaborate program has
terms a great desideratum. It was especially
been arranged for the occasion, an important
to furnish such a center that the• Jewish
part of which will be a series of toasts to be
Woman's Club was created. All Jewish
given
by all of the charter members. Mrs.
women, whatever the shade of religious
Henry Krolik will act as toastmistress.
opinion to which they held, whatever the
The officers of the Jewish Woman's Club
social class to which they happened to be-
are
: Mrs. Charles C. Simons, president ;
long, whatever their economic situation,
Mrs. Ida E. G. Ginsburg.
Miss Miriam D. Goldman, first vice-presi-
were equally welcome to membership in the
No history or account of the Jewish Woman's
dent
; Mrs. Samuel Netzorg, second vice-
Club. Indeed, it is fair to say that during
Club would be complete without mention of the
president ; Mrs. Sidney S. Wineman, cor-
this quarter of a century there has been no
name of one of its founders and its first presi-
dent, Mrs. Ida E. G. Ginsburg.
responding secretary ; Miss Mildred Gold-
other, ,organization in the city of Detroit, and
The story of Mrs. Ginsburg's life is the story
man, recording secretary ; Mrs. Wolf Kap-
few in any city in this country, that has done
of a lifelong devotion to noble ideals and a great
lan, financial secretary ; Mrs. Joseph H.
cause. Born in Marienpol,' Russia, she arrived
so much to level the artificial distinctions
on the shores of America at the age of three.
Ehrlich, treasurer ; Mrs. Adele Rosenfield,
among women as the Jewish Woman's Club.
When but a child in years her strong personality
auditor,
and Mrs. Henry A. Krolik, cus-
It is obvious, of course, that every condi-
was manifested in the care of her younger
todian.
brothers and sisters left in her charge by the
tion that obtained at the time that the Club
death of their young mother. And while a stu-
was organized, has become intensified dur-
dent at the University of Syracuse, of which
ing the years that have passed, and if such
The undertaking of the Young People's
she was a graduate, she was admired for the
brilliancy of her mind and loved for her kindli-
an organization was necessary then, it is ten-
Society of Temple Beth El to bring under
ness of nature.
fold more needful today. That it has steadily,
the influence of the synagogue the many
It is due largely to her enthusiasm, earnestness
confidently and successfully pursued its
hundre'd'young Jewish men and women who
and determination that the Jewish Woman's Club
has achieved its splendid success. Her untimely
ideals is evidenced by the fact that today
find themselves in a great community like
death robbed the organization of one of its most
there are banded together under its auspices
this 'without Jewish friends or acquaint-
devoted members, and left a great sorrow in the
hearts of all who knew her.
approximately seven hundred women. Had
ances, is both commendable and timely. The
\the Club accomplished nothing else than to
"Welcome to the Strangers" meeting which
bring these women together under Jewish
is announced for Sunday evening. of this
auspices, it would have justified its existence. But it has done in- week at the Temple ought to be exceedingly fruitful in results. It will
finitely more than that. It has interested its members in cultural and no doubt set an example to other organizations here and elsewhere.
religious activities of a high order. It has undertaken and success- Too many congregations are entirely neglectful of the stranger and
fully carried out certain phases of philanthropic work that has been thereby are directly responsible for the loss to Judaism of many a
exceedingly worth while. It has neglected no single oppprtunity to en- young man and young woman who, properly encouraged, would be-
courage every movement looking to the material, the moral and the come an element of strength to Judaism and the synagogue.
spiritual help of Jewish men and women.
T