U.S., Jewish Welfare Board, War Correspondence, 1917-1954

This database contains National Jewish Welfare Board correspondence relating to Jewish U.S. service personnel.

Historical Background

Formed in 1917, the National Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) became the officially recognized civilian social and religious support arm for Jewish personnel in the U.S. armed forces after its efforts on behalf of Jewish soldiers and chaplains in WWI. The JWB became involved in the Jewish Community Center (JCC) movement after World War I but began preparing for war service again as the possibility of America’s involvement in World War II grew.

What You Can Find in the Records

This database contains correspondence to and from JWB workers relating to Jewish personnel in the armed forces. Documents include letters, telegrams, memos, newspaper clippings, staff/member lists, photos, reports, minutes, and other correspondence. You can find names, dates, and places recorded in the documents, as well as valuable historical context and insight. While the bulk of the records come from the WWII years, some come from WWI and the Korean War era as well.