NCJW Mission

The National Council of Jewish Women is a volunteer organization that has been at the forefront of social change for over a century.  Inspired by Jewish values, the women of NCJW have courageously taken a progressive stance on issues such as child welfare, women's rights, and reproductive freedom.

We are Jewish women of all ages, from teens to young adults to senior citizens
We come from diverse backgrounds
We are students, professionals, stay-at-home moms and retirees
We come from all over the Puget Sound:  Seattle, the Eastside, Bainbridge & Vashon Islands

We share a common vision -- that all people should be treated with respect and dignity, that children and families should be given every possible advantage to help them succeed, and that women matter and should have the freedom to create their own destinies. We share an understanding that positive change will not happen on its own, that we must play an active role in our community if it is to change for the better.
 

Our Priorities

• advance the well-being and status of women

• advance the well-being of children and families

• enhance the quality of Jewish life

• ensure individual and civil rights

• support a secure Israel and the well-being of all its people

Our History

Seattle Section was founded in 1900 with 34 founding members. Early work included assisting new immigrants, providing programming to deter juvenile delinquency and fighting legislation that would have eroded the separation of church and state.  Over the past century, NCJW Seattle Section has founded a settlement house, later to become Neighborhood House, an agency that today provides support and educational services for low income Seattle residents, and Council House, a low-income apartment for Seattle's elderly. We have rallied for reproductive choice, fair treatment for Japanese-Americans and Soviet Jews and for childcare. We have provided college scholarships since 1909 and members have been invited to White House conferences and receptions.  In the year 2000, we began the new century with 500 members and a year-long celebration of our Centennial.

NCJW National & International

Seattle Section is a part of NCJW, Inc., a national organization of 90,000 members and a member of ICJW, the International Council of Jewish Women. NCJW, Inc., provides a number of resources including national research and programming as well as national conferences focusing on leadership development and political advocacy training.  NCJW has offices in New York city, Washington, DC and Jerusalem, Israel.