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National Jewish Welfare Board

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The National Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) was formed on April 9, 1917, three days after the United States declared war on Germany , in order to support Jewish soldiers in the U.S. military during World War I . The impetus for creating the organization stemmed from Secretary of War , Newton Baker and Secretary of Navy , Josephus Daniels . The organization was also charged with recruiting and training rabbis for military service , as well as providing support materials to these newly commissioned chaplains . The JWB also maintained oversight of Jewish chapel facilities at military installations.

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41-624: In 1921, several organizations merged with the JWB to become a national association of Jewish community centers around the country in order to integrate social activities, education, and active recreation. These merged organizations included the YWHA , YMHA , and the National Council of Young Men's Hebrew and Kindred Association . In 1941, the United Service Organizations for National Defense

82-454: A Jewish Community Centre ( JCC ) is a general recreational, social , and fraternal organization serving the Jewish community in a number of cities. JCCs promote Jewish culture and heritage through holiday celebrations, Israel-related programming, and other Jewish education. However, they are open to everyone in the community. The JCC Association is the continental umbrella organization for

123-613: A ceasefire in the 2023 Israel–Hamas war earlier that week. The cancellation had prompted two of the poetry center's three employees to resign and many speakers to cancel. In addition to presenting performing arts programs ( classical , jazz and popular music as well as dance performances ), it offers a series of talks and conversations; literary readings; film screenings; adult education; schools for music, art and dance for children and adults; professional development programs (early childhood, dance, business and fashion ); family, parenting and children's activities and classes;

164-565: A New Year's Day fitness fair, and an annual Symposium on Positive Aging. The JCC features multiple centers dedicated to segments of its community, including the Jack and Shirley Silver Center for Special Needs, the Bert and Sandra Wasserman Center for Family Life, the Selma and Lawrence Ruben Center for 20s + 30s, and the new Wechsler Center for Modern Aging, for those aged 60+. Solar thermal panels were installed at

205-459: A free digital archive at 92YOnDemand.org that includes both stage events and web-only content. In 2012, 92Y founded #GivingTuesday , which established the Tuesday after Thanksgiving as a day to celebrate and encourage giving. The initiative was inspired by the core Jewish value of Tikkun olam (repairing the world) and reflects the institution's mission of reimagining community and giving back. 92Y

246-590: A new building, completed in 1930. The YMHA primarily catered to Jews until the mid-1930s. The Y's director, William Kolodney , argued that the arts were central to the Jewish religious tradition of learning for learning's sake. While the board was concerned that this shift would transform the Y into a secular institution and harm its finances, Kolodney argued for not catering to the lowest common denominator in pursuit of crowds, and to keep charges minimal so that activities were within reach of salaried workers. Kolodney opened

287-514: A nursery school; a senior center; a fitness center (including fitness classes and swim team); camps ; a residence that rents rooms in the Y's main building at 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue; Jewish education, cultural and community programs; and educational outreach programs for public school children among its programs. The organization serves about 300,000 people annually in its New York facilities. In recent years, 92Y has expanded its digital programming to include live webcasts of events and

328-576: A part of the JCC of West Bloomfield, but recently opened a building of its own. The West Bloomfield JCC houses two gymnasiums which can be made into three gyms using a movable wall, a workout area, an indoor full size and kiddie pool, an outdoor full size pool, a kosher restaurant, a Michigan Jewish war veterans museum, an in line hockey center, a library, ceramics/art rooms, a large multi-purpose room (Handleman Hall), an art museum, an area dedicated to teaching and learning about tzedakah (charity) called Shalom Street,

369-494: A performing arts theater in the basement, a preschool, offices for summer camps, the previously mentioned preschool, and other administrative offices and organizations. The top floor is completely dedicated to The Jean and Samuel Frankel Jewish Academy of Metropolitan Detroit , a Jewish High School which opened in 2000. The JCC building is on the Eugene and Marcia Applebaum Jewish Community Campus along with multiple living quarters for

410-426: A permanent home through the munificence of businessman and philanthropist Jacob Schiff . Initially donating a rowhouse at 65th Street and Lexington Avenue to the Y, Schiff would finance the construction of a new building at 92nd Street and Lexington. Designed by Arnold W. Brunner , who produced many turn-of-the-century synagogues, the new building would open in 1900. The original YMHA building would be replaced by

451-588: Is a cultural and community center located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan in New York City , at the corner of East 92nd Street and Lexington Avenue . Founded in 1874 as the Young Men's Hebrew Association , the 92nd Street Y (often simply called " the Y" ) transformed from a secular social club to a large arts and cultural center in the 20th century. In 1874, a group of German-Jewish professionals established

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492-690: Is also a U.S. government accredited agency for serving the religious and social needs of Jewish military personnel through JWB Jewish Chaplains Council. Some JCCs provide services for people with disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorders and learning disabilities . In 2008, The Mandel JCC of Cleveland was awarded $ 652,500 in grant funding to be used for individuals with disabilities. Cleveland-area children and adults with emotional, physical and developmental disabilities now have many opportunities to get involved in fitness, wellness and recreational activities. Whenever possible, activities are inclusive and children are able to fully participate, usually with

533-507: Is also one of the founding partners of the annual Social Good Summit, a conference that attracts NGO, tech and business leaders and entrepreneurs, which takes place in September (during UN Week). 92nd Street Y comprises eight programming centers: Bronfman Center for Jewish Life; Lillian & Sol Goldman Family Center for Youth & Family; May Center for Health, Fitness & Sport; Milstein/Rosenthal Center for Media & Technology; School of

574-848: The United Service Organizations , which quickly became known as the USO, was incorporated in New York on February 4, 1941. In 1942 the NJWB established the National Jewish Music Council; a sub-organization of the NJWB whose purpose was to promote cultural programming, publish literature, and produce recordings on subjects related to music of the Jewish people. The organization presented an annual Jewish Music Festival in addition to sponsoring other events such as performances and lectures. The organization also produced recordings of Jewish music and published biographies, handbooks, and other scholarly materials. In

615-646: The 14th Street Y, and the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood. The 14th Street Y, in the Gramercy/East Village neighborhood, is a branch of the Educational Alliance . The Washington Heights organization serves a diverse community uptown.) In 1917, these organizations were combined into a Jewish Welfare Board . Following a merger of the Young Men's Hebrew Association, Young Women's Hebrew Association, and

656-870: The 1950s, during the Second Red Scare , the NJWB encouraged Jewish community centers to ban radical Jewish speakers from using their facilities. The Jewish Young Fraternalists , the youth arm of the communist Jewish People's Fraternal Order, was expelled in 1953 from the National Jewish Youth Conference, an organization sponsored by the NJWB. The organization is now the JWB Jewish Chaplains Council, part of JCC Association of North America. The Council sends religious artifacts and supplies for Jewish holidays, including Passover Seder kits, Hanukkah candles, four species for Tabernacles , and more. YWHA A Jewish Community Center or

697-442: The 92nd Street Y, New York (92NY for short) in 2022, reorganizing its programs under five umbrellas and launching Roundtable, an online learning platform. The rebrand preceded a $ 200 million campaign to renovate its facilities. In October 2023, the poetry center indefinitely postponed its reading series after the Y canceled an appearance by the writer Viet Thanh Nguyen , citing his "public comments on Israel"; Nguyen had called for

738-475: The Arts; Charles Simon Center for Adult Life & Learning; Tisch Center for the Arts, Center for Educational Outreach and Center for Innovation and Social Impact. In 1935, William Kolodney joined the 92nd Street Y as Educational Director, instituting a wide-ranging educational program for general audiences of all faiths. He made the "Y" a center for chamber music, poetry readings, and dance performances. He initiated

779-760: The Jewish Community Center movement, which includes more than 350 JCCs, YM–YWHAs, and camp sites in the U.S. and Canada, in addition to 180 local JCCs in the former Soviet Union , 70 in Latin America , 50 in Europe , and close to 500 smaller centers in Israel . The Hebrew Young Men's Literary Association was first set up in 1854 in a building at the corner of Fayette and Gay Streets in Baltimore, Maryland to provide support for Jewish immigrants. Dr. Aaron Friedenwald

820-477: The Jewish Community Center of New Bedford listed the following objectives: JCC Association offers a wide range of services and resources to help its affiliates to provide educational, cultural, social, Jewish identity-building, and recreational programs for people of all ages and backgrounds. JCC Association supports the largest network of Jewish early childhood centers and Jewish summer camps in North America and

861-528: The Jewish Education Alliance, the organization was renamed Jewish Community Center (JCC) in 1951. Many member organizations adopted the new name, but some other member organizations did not do so, particularly in the New York metropolitan area , such as: An example of the objectives of Jewish Community Centers can be seen within the New Bedford, Massachusetts branch's Constitution. In January 1947,

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902-617: The Joan and Alan Bernikow JCC in Staten Island 2011. In recent decades, several incidents that have taken place at JCCs and other Jewish-related locations across the United States and Canada, as well as the September 11 attacks , have prompted JCCs in all areas to increase security at their facilities. Some of these events have included: 92nd Street Y 92nd Street Y, New York ( 92NY )

943-717: The National Catholic Community Service (NCCS),Young Men's Christian Association YMCA , Young Women's Christian Association YWCA , the National Jewish Welfare Board (NJWB), the Traveler's Aid Association and the Salvation Army . These organizations were challenged to handle the on-leave morale and recreational needs for members of the Armed Forces . The six organizations pooled their resources and

984-653: The New York Young Men's Hebrew Association (YMHA). The founders were predominantly members of the Temple Shaaray Tefila , or synagogue , and New York's YMHA and others across the country grew out of existing Jewish congregations. The YMHA itself was a secular organization intended to serve as a social and literary fraternity. Officially incorporated on September 10, 1874, the YMHA would initially operate out of rented premises on 112 West 21st Street. A few years later,

1025-518: The Y announced the creation of a new director of Jewish community role, coinciding with Timms' elevation. Timms spearheaded the development of Giving Tuesday while at the Y. Henry Timms left the Y in 2019 to join Lincoln Center ; he was succeeded in January 2020 by Seth Pinsky, former head of economic development under Mayor Michael Bloomberg . The choice of Pinsky was influenced by the need to revamp

1066-606: The Y's concert hall and events to nonmembers; its excellent acoustics helped land the Y on the map as a performing arts venue. The Y opened an arts center, jewelry center, dance center, poetry center, and nursery school throughout the 1930s. 75% of revenue was spent on 25% of programs. In 1945, the YMHA merged with the Young Women's Hebrew Association and became the YM-YWHA. In the 1960s, the Clara de Hirsch Home for Working Girls merged with

1107-666: The Y's dance center, School of Music and poetry center. The last is now called the Unterberg Poetry Center and has been led by prominent writers including American poet Karl Kirchwey who was director for thirteen years until 2000. The Belfer Center for Innovation & Social Impact brings the mission of 92nd Street Y to the world. Collaborators include the UN Foundation , Mashable , Hoover Institution at Stanford University , Harvard Kennedy School , Public Radio International , United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and

1148-432: The Y's finances. The Y responded by cutting Jewish life and cultural offerings and expanding its class offerings. By 2003, the Y's budget had grown to $ 43 million and served 300,000 annually; less than a decade later, it had revenues of $ 80 million. After the September 11th terrorist attacks, the Y spent $ 1 million investigating the feasibility of a satellite building to help revitalize the rebuilding downtown. The result

1189-484: The Y, and a new building on the southern part of the block was constructed to house it and new spaces for programming and the arts. In 1972 the YM-YWHA rebranded itself as the 92nd Street Y. In 1988, the Board elevated Sol Adler to executive director. Adler had worked for the Y for 11 years, hired by the previous executive director. In the 1990s, the decline of classical music programming and rising real estate costs threatened

1230-642: The assistance of an aide. As a rule, today JCCs are open to other ethnic groups as well, with a possible exception of strictly traditional Jewish activities. In fact, many JCCs sponsor local events. There are, however, many other activities that anyone can host at the JCC. There are almost two dozen Jewish community centers in the New York metro area, providing a wide range of social, cultural, and educational services, ranging from lectures, concerts, theater performances, and dance recitals to health and fitness classes, job training workshops, and citizenship classes. Although

1271-465: The country sponsor film festivals and book fairs, bringing world-renowned writers and directors to smaller communities. Their programs and activities vary by location. Particularly noteworthy is the JCC in West Bloomfield, Michigan , which is the largest JCC in North America, and possibly the world. The Holocaust Memorial Center , which attracts many visitors to its programs and exhibits, used to be

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1312-606: The elderly and mentally disabled and an Alzheimer's treatment building. A significant addition to the family of JCCs in North America is the Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan. This eleven-story building situated in Manhattan's Upper West Side neighborhood opened its doors in the winter of 2002. The JCC offers a diversity of programs, from parenting to fitness and wellness, and each year the organization produces four week-long film festivals, an all-night Tikkun Leil Shavuot,

1353-532: The holiday from obscurity and was part of the creation of an American Jewish identity and culture. Celebrations of the High Holidays began in 1900. These were soon followed by regular Friday evening services that grew in average attendance from 172 in 1901 to more than 400 in 1903, though secular activities remained far more popular. In 1886 the YMHA moved from 42nd Street to 721 Lexington Avenue near 58th Street, and in 1895 to 111 East 59th Street. The Y would find

1394-659: The majority of JCCs are found on the East Coast, with 17 sites in Florida, JCCs operate in many other communities. For example, California has 17 locations—eight in the San Francisco Bay Area and nine scattered through Southern California —and the Chicago metropolitan area has 10. Almost all of the largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. now have at least one JCC, and a handful of smaller communities also have locations. JCCs all over

1435-558: The organization would move to larger accommodations on 110 West 42nd Street; the Y also operated a downtown branch, where Emma Lazarus taught English to immigrants. This branch would later merge with other organizations to become the Educational Alliance . As the organization grew, it began integrating more Judaism into its programming. In 1878, the YMHA held its first Hannakuh Festival, which became an annual tradition. The secularized celebration of Jewish holidays like Hannakuh and Purim, according to historian Jonathan Sarna , helped save

1476-471: The organization's outdated facilities. Shortly thereafter the institution was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic ; nearly 70% of its revenues came from in-person events and instruction. The Y began streaming events and classes to reach a broader, global audience. Despite success online, budget cuts required employee furloughs and cut salaries. As a result of shifting programming, the Y changed its name to

1517-406: The young Jewish women who were moving to cities at the time. YMHA helped young Jewish women find housing and employment. Fannie Liebovitz was one of the founders. The first independent YWHA was established in 1902. The New York YMHA and YWHA now operate together as the 92nd Street Y . (There are two other YM–YWHA organizations in Manhattan, which are not affiliated with the 92nd Street Y. They are

1558-495: Was 92YTribeca, a performance space in the Tribeca neighborhood that opened in 2008. The venue at 200 Hudson Street contained a movie theater, lecture hall, cafe, and art gallery. The 92YTribeca location would be closed in 2013. In February 2013, the Y fired Sal Taddeo, who served as director of facilities, after allegations were raised of a kickbacks scheme. Taddeo was the son-in-law of Catherine Marto, Adler's personal assistant; Marto

1599-493: Was brought into existence through Presidential order February 4. The USO was incorporated in New York state as a private, nonprofit organization, supported by private citizens and corporations. President Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted the morale of military personnel to remain high and believed that current service organizations would be better suited for the job than the Department of Defense . The six private organizations were -

1640-414: Was fired for being uncooperative in the investigation of Taddeo's conduct, and Adler was in turn fired after his affair with Marto was uncovered. Mr. Adler, who suffered depression, committed suicide by hanging. He was replaced by Henry Timms, formerly the Y's deputy executive director for innovation, strategy and content. Timms was the first non-Jewish director of the Y in its history, drawing some criticism;

1681-484: Was the group's founder and first president. The first Young Men's Hebrew Association ( YMHA ) was founded in New York City on October 10, 1874, with Lewis May as its first president. The first official headquarters were at 112 West 21st Street in Manhattan. Young Women's Hebrew Association ( YWHA ) was first established as an annex to the YMHA in 1888. YWHA was founded to provide spiritual and material support for

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