About Us

History

1901 - 1950

1902

  • The Hebrew Relief Association helps organize The Federated Jewish Charities (now the Milwaukee Jewish Federation).

1905

  • The first trained superintendent is employed.

1906

  • Russian Aid Society of Milwaukee is formed.

1908

  • Charles Friend is elected president. He serves for thirty-two years.

1914

  • The first woman is elected to the Board of Directors.

1916

  • The Agency locates its first permanent office at 10th and Walnut Street.

1918-21

  • A trained nurse is hired, "To give mothers instructions".

1919

  • The Hebrew Relief Association helps organize the Society for the Care of Dependent Jewish Children.
  • The Agency's concern about the lack of medical care leads to the establishment of medical services. This becomes the nucleus for the Outpatient Department at Mt. Sinai Hospital

1920

  • The Sol Fein Memorial Dental Clinic is established by the Agency.

1921

  • The Hebrew Relief Association is renamed the Jewish Social Service Association and moves to 10th and North Avenue.

1922

  • The Ladies Auxiliary of the Milwaukee Jewish Orphans Home is formed.

1924

  • The Jewish Children's Home is opened at 403 N. 21st Street.  Many of the residents are refugee children.
  • The Agency receives its first child welfare license from the State. 26 children are placed in foster or boarding homes.

1926

  • The first nursery school is established by the Agency and Abraham Lincoln House becomes the nucleus of the present UWM Nursery School and Day Care Center.
  • The Agency hires its first trained social worker.

1933

  • Rebecca Tennenbaum is employed as executive director and serves until 1966.

1934

  • The Agency arranges its first "recorded" adoption.

1936

  • The Agency moves to third and North Avenue.

1937

  • The Great Depression necessitates new vocational programs that later become Jewish Vocational Services. A Self-Help Fund assists the unemployed and immigrants to establish their own small businesses.

1938

  • The Agency establishes a separate and distinct Refugee/Migration Department.

1939

  • The Agency expands children's services to include psychological testing and child guidance.
  • The Agency becomes licensed to place children for adoption.

1941

  • At the urging and with the support of the Federal Works Progress Administration, the Agency and its Ladies Auxiliary create a nursery school and day care center. It later emerges as the Edith Babbitz Nursery School.
  • The Jewish Orphan Home name changes its name to Milwaukee Jewish Children's Home.

1943

  • The Agency moves to 2218 N. Third Street.

1946

  • The Sunshine Club begins and becomes forerunner of the present Golden Age Club.

1946-47

  • The end of World War II brings a flood of Hitler's Jewish victims and another increase in refugee and immigration services. The Agency resettles several unaccompanied minors.

1948

  • The Agency expands services to children through a merger with Milwaukee Jewish Children's Home. This merger is acknowledged with a new name -- Jewish Family & Children's Services.

1949

  • Family counseling services are broadened and a psychiatric consultant is added to the staff.
  • The Agency is accredited and joins Family Service of America.
  • The Agency honors Persion Family for serving as foster parents for 25 years and caring for over 20 children.

1950

  • Margaret Miller is the first woman to be elected president of the agency.
  • The Jewish Children's Home moves to 50th and Wright Street.


Home About Us Community Giving Exceptional Needs Older Adult Services

Mental Health Services Careers Volunteer Donate Publications Contact

© 2006 Jewish Family Services All Rights Reserved.

Services
Philosophy
Leadership
History
Volunteer Opportunities
Careers
Publications
Locations
Contact
Privacy
CHAI
Chaplaincy Program
Community Education Services
Calendar of Events
Special Events
Press Releases
Publications
JFS Friends Memberships
Tribute Donations
Planned Giving
Other Ways to Give
Keshet
Housing Options
Lifetime Services
Counseling Services
Socialization & Vocational Programs
Staff Bios
Family Care
Linkages/Older Adult Case Management Program
Kosher Mobile Meal Program
Social Services to Russian Speaking Population
Milwaukee Area Refugee Consortium
Staff Bios
Counseling
Adoption Services
Family Center
Pathways to Wellness
Infant Bonding
Staff Bios
Contact Us