REPRINTED FROM B'NAI B'RITH WOMEN'S WORLD FOR JANUARY, 1967 Social activities Service has been form an impor- part of B'rai tant aspect of life B'rith Girls since of B'nai B'rith inception. During Girls. Informal World War II, gatherings, such many members of this pajama BBG helped in party in Philadel- war-time commu- phia, enhance the nity projects feeling of "sister- and were espe- hood" which is an cially adept at en- integral part of tertaining service- BBG. During their an- nual convention at Camp B'nai B'rith. members of BBG participate in many events, including seminars and lee- tures by outstanding figures. They have an opportunity to explore ideas and raise questions, both with their contem- poraries and with the visitors to the convention. B'nai B'rith Girls Celebrates Its Fortieth Anniversary organization in lanthropies and leadership train- I all began forty years ago 1946, the direct ing. when the first permanent chapter was established in sorship of national B'nai B'rith Most importantly, B'nai B'rith San Francisco. Today there are Girls. Today BBW contributes Girls has influenced thousands more than 25,000 members of large sums of money to the B'nai and thousands of its alumnae to B'nai B'rith Girls in nearly B'rith Youth Services B'nai become active members of B'nai 900 B'rith Youth Organization, Hillel B'rith Women and the general chapters on six continents. B'nai B'rith Girls had its or- Foundations and Vocational Serv- Jewish community. igin at the annual convention of ice Bureau. The role of the Jewish woman the Central Committee of B'nai Throughout the last four dec- in her family has always been B'rith Women's Auxiliaries of ades, B'nai B'rith Women has in of importance. Even in ancient District 4. when on June 16, 1925 spired its memberships to increas- times, when other peoples en- it was resolved "that Junior ing achievements in service to slaved their women, Jewish wom Auxiliary lodges be instituted the community, to youth and to en considered partners in throughout the district Judaism. As the largest branch marriage and matriarchs in the of BBYO, the world's largest tribes and households. It is the The first such junior auxiliary was organized in Seattle the fol- Jewish youth organization, BBG woman who enhances the Jewish has an example for both the identification of her family: it is SPEECE lowing year but it was disbanded Aleph Zadik Aleph (teenage the who carries on the a short time later and, therefore, the second established in 1927- boys' group) and the B'nai B'rith traditions that make home in San Francisco- became the Young Adults membership "Jewish". This BBGs learn and first permanent BBG chapter. growth and contributions to phi this they always have with them Chapters of girls began to mushroom throughout the United States and Canada in response to spontaneous local impetus, without any central pattern of structure or policy and without professional supervision. Each chapter developed its own activities, based on the interests of the members. The emphasis, however, was primarily on social and community service activities. Throughout the years of World War II, the girls rendered out standing service on the home front and the junior auxiliaries began to take on the coloration The BBG Hall was recently dedicated at the Girls' and methods of the sponsoring Modern Academy, a UNESCO project in Lagos, Ni- women's groups. Most of the Some fifty BBG members took part in the Members of BBG in Atlanta prepare for their Inter- Through the "Adopt-a-Grandparent" program, members of geria. BBGs have donated more than $2,500 over early girls' chapters were spon- 8-week Israel Summer Institute sponsored by national Festival, which benefited the International B'nai B'rith Girls spend many hours as companions to senior Service Fund of the girls' organization. The members several years to this school which is a recipient of sored by the women's groups, the B'nai B'rith Youth Organization. Here a served authentic foods of various lands to raise money the BBYO International Service Fund. The 20-year- with volunteer advisors and joint few of the girls gather in front of the super- citizens, sharing with them their joys and interests which give the older adults a sense of belonging, a sense of family. old school is the first educational institution in Ni- activities. market in the Moledeth settlement to cool for such projects as the Leo N. Levi Hospital, the geria to offer a two-year vocational training course in as B'nai B'rith Women off with some Israeli ice cream. Harman Scholarship Fund for students in Israel, and the Martyrs' Forest. home-making and hygiene.