1
Minnie Goldman, President of the Saint John Hadassah1940
Saint John, New Brunswick
2
Active in Zionist activities since 1900, Saint John women officially joined the Zionist movement in 1916 when a chapter of the American women's Zionist organization, Hadassah, was formed by Mrs. M. Newfield and Minnie Goldman, who became its first president, serving until 1931. Hadassah was first organized in the United States in 1912 by Henrietta Szold. A Canadian Hadassah was founded in 1917, Saint John Hadassah joining it in 1919. Lead by Lillian Frieman of Ottawa from 1919, Canadian Hadassah became part Women's International Zionist Organization (WIZO - founded in London in 1920) in 1921 at the behest of Vera and Chaim Weizmann.3
Mrs. Bessie Newfield, cofounded the Saint John chapter of Hadassah in 1917.1935
Saint John, New Brunswick
4
Saint John Hadassah-Wizo raised funds through through various events, such as an annual summer tea, raffles, bake sales, sewings and other events in order to support Hadassah activities on the behalf of the women and children of Palestine. Some of the more visible women from the minutes of the 1940s were Millie Isaacs, Mrs. K.W. Epstein, Esther Boynaer, Mrs. I. Corber, Mary Meltzer, Mrs. D. Bassen, Rose Freedman, Jennie Harris, Jennie Brownberg, Rose Goldman and Esther Everett.Following the death of Henrietta Szold in 1945, the Saint John Chapter became known as the Henrietta Szold Chapter in April 1945.
5
This was one of the last calendars produced by the Henrietta Szold Chapter of Hadassah.1982
Saint John, New Brunswick
6
An important new fundraising tool was the Hadassah Calendar. Following the establishment of the State of Israel in May 1948, the efforts of Hadassah were more focused than ever on aiding the new state. Hadassah also took more interest in the city, joining the Local Council of Women in 1949.7
Each page of the Hadassah Calendar listed birthdays and anniversaries of congregation members.January, 1982
Saint John, New Brunswick
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The alternate pages in the Hadassah calendar, filled with advertisments and yahrzeits.January, 1982
Saint John, New Brunswick
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The Hadassah calendar.December, 1982
Saint John, New Brunswick
10
The Saint John Hadassah chapter hosted the Fourth Atlantic Hadassah WIZO conference in October 1956.October, 1956
Saint John, New Brunswick
11
A significant milestone for Saint John Hadassah was the hosting of the Fourth Annual Atlantic Hadassah-Wizo conference in October 1956 at the Admiral Beatty Hotel.12
Rose Budovitch1920
Saint John, New Brunswick
13
A Junior chapter of Hadassah-Wizo was founded in Saint John in 1928 as a result of a visit by Anna Selick (later Raginsky) and Alta Kahn to the city. Rose Budovitch, who was the Saint John representative of the Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada (JIAS) became its first president. Other leaders of the Junior Chapter, later to be known as the Lillian Frieman chapter, included Leah Goldman, Diana Meltzer, Lena Slovitt, Aida Holtzman, and Julia Smith.14
Junior Hadassah banquet 1930s1930
Saint John, New Brunswick
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