In 1872 a group of men, united by their religious convictions, formed the Men’s Hebrew Benevolent Association. They purchased a Torah, and in 1874, formally organized as Congregation Emanu-El of Dallas. One year later, the Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Association was founded and provided the first opportunity for women to undertake charitable projects. The women collectively urged the procurement of a place of worship, and on May 26, 1876, the first Jewish house of worship in north Texas was dedicated. By 1886, the Emanu-El Aid Society, a women’s organization, was formed to “bring about a new and more satisfactory condition of affairs.” Community service began with visits to the sick and needy as well as assistance to Jewish immigrants settling in Dallas. At the turn of the century, the Emanu-El Aid Society evolved into the Women’s Guild of Temple Emanu-El which expanded their work to include the educational and social development of the congregation. Through musicals, receptions, and the formation of sewing and Bible societies, the Guild was lauded as a “…valuable aid to the religious, literacy and social functions of the Temple.”
In 1920, the Guild became affiliated with the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods. The newly affiliated Sisterhood, with 100 charter members, inherited a treasury of $96 from the Guild and a debt of $3,500 from the congregation for a newly purchased organ. In order to take on their first task of retiring this debt, Sisterhood members established the Women’s Exchange, a seasonal store that featured hand-made goods. Being a part of this project was exciting to the women because it provided a means of establishing strong social relationships. Two sewing circles supplied goods to the Women’s Exchange Store, and also contributed to service projects, such as the Dallas Free Kindergarten Association, which helped to provide clothing and linens to the great number of Russian and Romanian immigrant children. In addition to the successful Women’s Exchange Store, other Sisterhood projects funded the purchase of a baby grand piano, flowers for Sabbath services, and food for Sabbath evening receptions. Sisterhood provided a full scholarship to the Hebrew Union College, purchased furniture for the Temple, and bought a “moving picture machine” for the Religious School. In 1925, a Tea Room was added to the Women’s Exchange Store, and sewing circles became so well attended that a Sewing Room was set aside in the Temple to facilitate regular meetings. A Mother’s Study Circle was organized, and in the first year, five seminars on child development were sponsored. The fact that this topic remains of great interest today demonstrates the progressive thinking of those women.
By the time Sisterhood had celebrated its 10th anniversary, about 350 women had raised over $32,000 that had been used for many service projects, and to beautify and add to the physical building of the Temple and its equipment. From retiring congregational debts to furnishings parlors, from carpeting floors to installing a ventilation system, from publishing congregational and Sisterhood yearbooks to decorating the Sabbath pulpit, Sisterhood enriched the lives of many. Added to the impressive work was an enormous amount of cooking! Over 1,000 meals per year were prepared for various congregational and Sisterhood functions.
In 1934, a Braille Standing Committee established Sisterhood as a main supporter of the Dallas Lighthouse for the Blind. Important links were made with the Red Cross, Dallas Home and Hospital for the Jewish Aged, the Dallas United Nations Association and a Children’s Home in Israel. The Peace Committee was politically active in writing letters urging U.S. Senators to keep the United States out of the escalating war, to investigate arms manufacturers, to express horror at Germany’s treatment of their Jewish residents, and to urge the signing of the League of Nations Petition. The Mother’s Study Group continued to explore timely subjects such as “The Rights of Children”, “Physical and Spiritual Development of Children” and “Social Values in Motion Pictures.” Volunteerism was high, and women were glad to devote much of their spare time to these important projects.
By 1936, however, the effects of the Great Depression took their toll, and began to strangle Sisterhood participation. Economic conditions were so difficult that many women no longer had the time or the inclination to attend meetings and study groups or volunteer hours sewing and cooking for others. Bible and Jewish literature study groups held on Sunday mornings helped to maintain interest, and the Women’s Exchange was transformed into the more modern Ways and Means Committee. The newly formed Good Cheer Committee distributed baskets of fruit to the sick and less privileged of the community, and the Peace Committee continued its work by participating in an emergency peace campaign.
In 1940, with the prospects of war looming on the horizon, the Peace Committee was disbanded and replaced by the War Activities Committee. As men and women of the congregation became active in the armed forces, community involvement became even more important. The Red Cross Sewing Group made over 10,000 items, and Sisterhood furnished the recreation hall of the 65th Infantry Battalion at Camp Wolter. Sisterhood members regularly baked cookies for the USO and acted as week-end hostesses. The Friendship Aid Committee helped settled new Eastern European immigrants, and much generous help was sent to those suffering overseas in the form of clothing, food and medicine. Yet during these difficult and often sad times, Sisterhood, with nearly 500 members, reflected with pride on the accomplishments of its first 25 years. Their fundraising projects had netted over $70,000 and had been used to serve many worthy organizations. In addition, over 250 congregational and Sisterhood luncheons and dinners had been lovingly prepared and hosted.
In 1949, the Sisterhood board declared that the field of “Human Relations” would be the focus of Sisterhood activities and projects. In addition to the SOS Committee that continued to send canvas bags filled with layettes, yarn, needles, thread, and other “essentials” (including rouge) to the women of war-torn Europe, projects with the Community Chest, the March of Dimes and various post-war emergency agencies added to the growing list of social service activities. Continuing service to the Lighthouse for the Blind produced the transcription into braille of 3 books. Gifts continued to be sent to the Veteran’s Hospital in McKinney and to the Dallas Chapter of the Foundation for Infantile Paralysis.
During the late 1950’s, over sixty Sisterhood committees were actively participating in work for the Temple and the community, making strong efforts to forward understanding through education among people of differing backgrounds. In 1957, the Sisterhood sponsored the Institute on Judaism, which was attended by over 500 Protestant religious educators, representing 52 churches. Racial and religious barriers were set aside as the beliefs and practices of Judaism were described. Of course, a lovely buffet dinner was prepared and served by Sisterhood to the participants, and the evening was completed with tours of the Temple.
The turbulent 1960’s brought many social changes to the country that deeply affected Dallas and Temple Emanu-El. In 1962, extremist groups attempted to ban several books from the public library, picketed a “supposedly” Communist author’s play, and tried to influence the selection of public school textbooks. Sisterhood’s response was a program called “The Psychology of Censorship,” intended to raise the political conscience of the community. In the fall of the 1963, Sisterhood members staffed the United Nations booth at the State Fair, distributing pamphlets and answering questions. The women also established a Speaker’s Bureau that provided speakers on topics of Reform Judaism to any groups seeking information.
Aside from this serious work, Sisterhood’s 1,200 members were extremely interested in food and its preparation. The beginnings of the Feminist Movement and the accompanying challenge to the concept of a woman’s “place in the kitchen” had not yet taken hold, and one of the most highly attended meetings in Sisterhood’s history was a program about the preparation of special foods for the holidays. In 1964, the Sisterhood created a cookbook titled, 5000 Years in the Kitchen, which sold over 5,000 copies at a price of $3.98 each.
With fundraising underway, attentions again turned to social issues. Sisterhood began to focus its work to address inequality and lack of opportunity in society. Through community service at Rhoades Terrace Pre-School, the women of Sisterhood demonstrated that enhancing a child’s learning environment did have a positive effect. This important work was highly regarded in the community and gave credence to the belief that increased opportunities in education could make children more successful. In late 1966, Sisterhood joined with the League of Women Voters in the endorsement of a Human Relations Committee for the city of Dallas, and in early 1967, Sisterhood’s Peace and World Relations Committee presented the topic for discussion, “How Do We Stand in Dallas on the Civil Rights Conflict?” Sisterhood also explored the controversial issued of the Viet Nam War with a panel discussion by three Dallas clergy.
Concentrating on youth and education, Sisterhood continued to serve the congregation by sponsoring Temple Teens, various parent education programs and camp and leadership training scholarships. Sisterhood presented prayer books to Confirmation Class members and provided refreshments for parties and ceremonial meals for Religious School services on Jewish holidays. In addition, members have built and decorated a Sukkah, an autumn festival booth, each year, for the congregation to enjoy.
Realizing the importance of interfaith and intercultural activities, a special Interfaith Sabbath was begun in 1973. In this meaningful way, people of diverse religious experience were able to learn about one another’s beliefs and religious practices, leading to better understand. This Interfaith Sabbath has evolved today into a weekend of exchange, including a joint choir presentation, participation of the guest church’s minister in Sabbath services and culminating with our rabbi speaking at the guest church to a combined attendance including Temple congregants.
In 1980, Temple Sisterhood joined with the University Park United Methodist Church to sponsor the first North Dallas Health Fair, providing free information, free screening, and mini health seminars with the emphasis on wellness. It became apparent that many people needed locally affordable medical care. The Social Action Committee of Temple Emanu-El formulated the concept of a non-profit medical clinic to serve Southeast Asian refugees and other east Dallas residents. In 1984, through the efforts of many organizations, including Sisterhood, the East Dallas Health Clinic opened and continues to offer services today. Sisterhood was also an early participant and supporter of the North Dallas Shared Ministries, established to provide a food bank for the hungry of Dallas and continuing today. In 1986, twenty Jewish organizations joined efforts to establish the Dallas Jewish Coalition for the Homeless. With great skill and dedication, members of Sisterhood played crucial roles in the establishment of Vogel Alcove, a facility for children of homeless families residing in eleven Dallas shelters and transitional housing programs.
During the 1990’s, Sisterhood continued to stress service and education for the community and Temple. They provided their support for various causes including Meals on Wheels, a delivery of meals to those in need; Chai House, a residential home for mentally handicapped adults; Golden Acres, a Jewish home for the aged; and Bryan’s House, a home-like, sub-acute care facility for HIV affected infected children, and children of HIV-infected parents. In the area of adult education, Sisterhood sponsors a rabbinically taught weekly Bible class, annual series of programs on critical issues with expert facilitators and speakers on a variety of timely topics, and the Significant Book Series that continue to be a highly regarded program known community-wide for its fine book reviews.
Though involved in these many noted projects and others not mentioned, the congregation itself remains Sisterhood’s priority. From continually refurbishing the kitchen to purchasing prayer books, WRJ perpetually seeks to make our Temple comfortable, functional and beautiful. Through scholarships to Temple’s ECEC, YL+E religious school, summer camps at UAHC Greene Family Camp and various other youth programs, as well as funding for special events of the Dallas Federation of Temple Teens, Sisterhood continues to care for, and is committed to, the youth of Temple Emanu-El.
Through affiliation with the national Women of Reform Judaism, the National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods, Temple Emanu-El’s Sisterhood continues to support many international projects such as Operations Exodus and Solomon, which provide money to Israel to help resettle Soviet and Ethiopian immigrants. Also, support continues to be given to the World Reform Jewish movement and to the rabbinic school in Jerusalem. Wherever there is a need for assistance, whether it is in the congregation, the community or in the world, Sisterhood/WRJ members will be informed and move into action!
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