JANUARY 14TH OF EACH YEAR DESIGNATED “HANNAH G. SOLOMON DAY” IN NEW JERSEY

To commemorate the anniversary of the birth of Hannah G. Solomon, founder and inaugural president of the National Council of Jewish Women, a joint resolution, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg and Assembly Deputy Speaker Gordon M. Johnson, was approved by the New Jersey State Senate and the General Assembly.

“Hannah Solomon played a leading role for women’s rights, strengthened her community and dedicated her life to faith and the service of others,” said Mr. Johnson. “Her legacy of philanthropy and stewardship of the NCJW makes it appropriate that the New Jersey Legislature commemorate and honor the anniversary of her birth.”

In a statement issued January 15, 2016, Bea Podorefsky, Presidium Member of National Council of Jewish Women Bergen County Section, said “What an opportunity to get the NCJW name out there in New Jersey. Each year on January 14, we will celebrate with volunteer opportunities, programs and events to support women, children and families in our community and beyond, as inspired by the legacy of Hannah G. Solomon, our esteemed founder. The National Council of Jewish Women is nothing less than the voice of and the place where women from across society come together to make the world at large and their communities, in particular, a better place.“

In 1893, Hannah G. Solomon of Chicago was asked to organize the participation of Jewish women in the Chicago World’s Fair. When Hannah and her recruits discovered that participation was not substantive, but would consist of pouring coffee and other hostess duties, they walked out. Hannah then took matters into her own hands, building on the courageous social action and volunteer work she had been leading for years. By the end of the World’s Fair, Hannah and the accompanying delegate body of women had founded the National Council of Jewish Women, changing forever the role of Jewish women and the nature of volunteerism. Unanimously elected as its inaugural President, Ms. Solomon led the organization in its landmark battles for laws restricting child labor, for child welfare programs, and for improved housing, education, and health care for the poor. During the early part of the 20th Century, the NCJW pioneered many arenas of philanthropy and general immigrant aid, with the NCJW assuming a leading role in aiding new arrivals at Ellis Island.

Today, 123 years later, NCJW remains distinct among organizations — courageous, compassionate, powerful, and, above all, pioneering. The National Council of Jewish Women is the oldest national Jewish women’s volunteer organization in America. With over a century long history, purposeful mission and dedicated members in communities across the nation, the National Council of Jewish Women continues to make an impact on vital issues affecting women, children and families in all walks of life.

For more information about National Council of Jewish Women in Bergen County, NJ and its advocacy, education and community service programs, please visit https://www.ncjwbcs.org.