© 2021 Special Collections (Richard J. Daley Library). All rights reserved.
The Council of Young Mens Hebrew and Kindred Associations (YMHKA) was founded in 1913 to coordinate and promote efforts of the independent Jewish Community Centers. It established itself as a source of networking, guidance, and support for the individual centers. In response to World War I, YMHKA secured funds to enlist rabbis for service at military posts and called a conference of several Jewish organizations, giving birth to the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) in 1917, which developed a comprehensive infrastructure for serving the religious welfare and morale needs of Jewish military personnel. In 1921, JWB took over the responsibilities of YMHKA when the two organizations merged. The new JWB continued to serve Jewish Americans in the armed forces both at home and abroad, and became the national associations of Jewish Community Centers and the Young Mens-Young Womens Hebrew Associations.
The papers of the Midwest section of the Jewish Welfare Board reflect its many activities between 1941-1966. They consist of reports, lists, minutes, community surveys, bibliographies, yearbooks, proceedings, program aids, manuals, studies, and monographs.
Access restrictions -- Available without restriction.
Use restrictions -- Available without restriction.
National Jewish Welfare Board - Midwest Section, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago