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About

Mission

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms.

Goals

NCJW Minnesota promotes equity through service, justice through advocacy, and empowers our network as progressive change agents.

History

From our founding in 1893, NCJW has been defined by our advocates’ commitment to and belief in education, advocacy, and community service. Our 60 sections, made up of local advocates in 30 states, are our history and our future. Sections help write local and state-wide legislation, some of which later becomes a model in other states or at the federal level; train in the art of community organizing and power-building; lead in opening dialogue on any number of issues of importance to their populations; and run some of the most impressive and relied upon community service projects in the country. Because of our sections, NCJW is distinguished as a network that can build bridges and maintain dialogue through hardship.

Sections in Minneapolis and St Paul were established in 1894 and in 2016, the two metro area sections merged to become NCJW Minnesota. We have, and continue, to affect change through an extensive network of partnerships with other community organizations fighting for similar causes. Some earlier examples of successful NCJW initiatives and partnerships include:

  • Minneapolis Crisis Nursery – NCJW, Junior League and B’nai B’rith Women, Southside Nurturing Center and several other organizations established the first crisis nursery in the state).

  • Minnesota Guardian Ad Litem Program – founder

  • Let’s Prevent Abuse Project – now with PACER

  • Senior Day Care Centers and Senior Resources – NCJW was among the pioneers in establishing senior centers (1952-1992)

  • McKinley PreSchool Project – This project was a precursor to the national HeadStart program.

We are proud to present our NCJW Minnesota video. With thanks to the Oren and Sharron Steinfeldt Family Foundation for supporting this project.

Produced by Dale Bluestein of Partnership Media