Overview

The first chapter in Canada was formed in Windsor, Ontario in 1923. Thereafter, new chapters opened at a rapid pace in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in St. Catharines, and multiple chapters in Toronto and Montreal. The first chapter in Vancouver was formed in 1929. The first chapter in Winnipeg was formed in 1949.

Initially the Canadian chapters were part of District #1 and were administered by the United States. In 1964, the Canadian lodges and chapters became District #22; this was the beginning of the development of a true Canadian organization. In 1976, the organization became known as B'nai Brith Women of Eastern Canada, a separate autonomous organization affiliated with B'nai Brith Women (U.S.). 1981 saw the final chapter in the "Canadianization" of the organization --we became B'nai Brith Women of Canada

August 18, 1995, marked an historic day for B'nai Brith Women as this was the day that the new name for the organization became official -- Jewish Women International of Canada (JWIC). The name change did not signal significant changes in the projects and programs of the organization.

Achievements

The women of JWIC have a proud history of commitment to social change in their respective communities. In the mid 1980's, improving the lives of women and their families was identified as the core issue of JWIC, specifically the issue of domestic violence. At that time, our research indicated that abuse was occurring in Jewish homes in the same incidence as in the rest of the population.

The Jewish Women International response was on several fronts. "Protect Yourself, Stop the Violence Against You", was published in 1986 in English, French, Russian, Hebrew and Spanish. To date, over 200,000 of these brochures have been distributed free of charge by JWIC to shelters, social workers, emergency facilities and family physicians. To order, please contact info@jwicanada.com or call us toll free at 1-866-333-5942 locally in Toronto at 416-630-9313.

Further research identified the need for culturally specific safe housing. This resulted in the development of ASTEH - Alternative Short Term Emergency Housing. ASTEH operates in Toronto, Montreal, Winnipeg and Vancouver and offers a safe, strictly kosher haven for an abused Jewish woman and her children.

Jewish Women International of Canada is proud of its contribution to the emotional well being of youth. The centrepiece of the organization's work for youth is in Israel at the JWI Residential Treatment Centre for severely emotionally disturbed boys and girls ages 8-18. This facility has received worldwide attention and respect for its unique methods of treatment and its extraordinary 60% cure rate.

JWIC’s commitment to social change has been steadfast for over 80 years and will continue to remain our mission.