1

Despite the rigid social structure of Saint John in the past, Jewish women have taken an active part in social service in the city and beyond and from the earliest days of the Jewish community. Many Jewish women have taken part in service clubs and other activities from the early 1900s onwards, serving as officers and even as president. From volunteer work to work in music and culture to politics, Jewish women are today active in all aspects of city life.

2

Minnie Goldman, president of the Daughters of Israel in 1920 and 1934 to 1939.
1920
Saint John, New Brunswick

3

During the First World War, the women of both Saint John Synagogues worked together for the war effort through a group founded by Minnie Goldman known as the Red Mogen (Star of) David. The Red Mogen David women coordinated assistance provided to Jewish members of the armed forces and served as hostesses to members of the Jewish Legion (including a young David Ben-Gurion) who passed through the city before their deployment in Palestine.

4

Jennie Brownberg volunteers for the war effort
1942
Saint John, New Brunswick

5

War relief work resumed during the Second World War led by Jennie Brownberg, who as part of the Canadian Red Cross Corps conducted blood donor clinics and other activities in aid of the war effort.

6

Blood donor clinics were held in Saint John throughout the Second World War
1943
Saint John, New Brunswick

7

St. John Ambulance First Aid Certificate presented to Jennie Brownberg
4 November 1941
Saint John, New Brunswick

8

The Jewish Servicemen's Centre
1944
Saint John, New Brunswick

9

Mrs. Brownberg was picked to run the Canadian Jewish Congress Servicemen's Centre, which operated from January 1944 to May 1945. The women of the Jewish community who were not in service helped serve and cook at the Centre, younger women served and helped entertain the men at the Centre.
Mrs. Brownberg also opened her own home on Chipman Hill to servicemen and offered them unique home hospitality. Guests were invited to sign her guestbook and many mementoes send by these young men are affixed to its pages.

10

Evelyn Fainer
1940

11

Many other young women in the community donned uniforms for the Red Cross and branches of the armed services.

12

Sylvia Brownberg served with the Red Cross during World War Two
1942

13

Naomi Bersudsky, nursing sister World War Two
1940

14

Some of them chose to serve as nurses in hospitals treating war casualties.