What is the JWV Ladies Auxiliary?

Some of the proudest achievements of the JWVA on record include: Children's Milk Fund for Israel; anti-Nazi boycotts; and the sale of 3.5 million dollars of Liberty Bonds for the purchase of the 35,000 ton ship named Ida Strauss. The National Auxiliary was the first national organization to present two annual scholarships to Brandeis University. It also sponsored many 'Americanism' programs including flag distribution to schools, religious institutions and scouting troops; essay competitions, and arranging for hospital patients to vote. In the 1950s, members of 14 local JWV Auxiliaries worked closely with the USO in Detroit. They logged hundreds of volunteer hours making sandwiches for hungry servicemen that would visit the Detroit USO for lunch. Twice monthly, the JWV would supply the ingredients for 700 sandwiches; the Auxiliaries would provide the power in the kitchen along with baking their own homemade cakes and sweets for dessert.

Over the years, membership in the JWV Auxiliaries within Michigan has declined due to relocations and the passing of members. In June 2011, the remaining three Auxiliary Posts - #333, #510, and #527 - petitioned the National Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary and combined into one unit (#333).

JWV Auxiliary members preparing 'Blessing Bags'

Although a bit smaller than it was in the 1950s and 60s, the JWVA is still very active. Pictured are Ellen Hechler, Andi Weiss, Sheryl Erlich, Diane Jacobs, and Barbara Davis preparing 'Blessing Bags' on February 7, 2022, for distribution the next day to veterans at the Piquette Square Homeless Veterans Shelter in Southwest Detroit.

All events that the JWV Department of Michigan are invited to, the JWV Auxiliary also attends, including parades.

If you are interested in joining the Auxiliary, left-click here for a printable membership form.

For a slideshow of pictures from current-year JWVA events, left-click here.

JWV Auxiliary in the Detroit 2019 Veterans Day Parade