History and Culture

Urban Gardens: National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section

May 13, 2026

by Megan Scauri

The National Council of Jewish Women was founded in Chicago in 1893, and the following year the New York Section was incorporated, with Rebekah Kohut elected as the New York Section’s first president. The NCJW, New York Section, has lobbied for the rights of children, the disabled, the elderly, families, the homeless, immigrants, Israel, and women. Throughout its history, the New York Section has often initiated new community services in New York City, evaluating the city’s needs. Often its new community service became viable and independent, or was transferred to another agency.

In a celebration of spring, we’re sharing these photos, all taken around 1929, showing children playing in the Council House garden, sometimes in costume, sometimes just next to the fruits of their labor.

New York Rooftop, National Council of Jewish Women — Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section
Box 91, Folder 17 (I-469)

Rooftop Garden Day Care, New York Section, National Council of Jewish Women — “Play school actors.”
Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section
Box 91, Folder 17 (I-469)

"Child actors, play school.”
Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section — “Child actors, play school.”
Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section
Box 91, Folder 17 (I-469)

“In the garden.”
Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section
Box 91, Folder 17 (I-469)

“The garden.”
Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section
Box 91, Folder 17 (I-469)

“The rabbits in the garden. Play school kindergarten.”
Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section
Box 91, Folder 17 (I-469)

“Irving Sheeter and the boat he made in the workshop.”
Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section
Box 91, Folder 17 (I-469)

“More Dutch children in the garden.” [c. 1929]
Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section
Box 91, Folder 17 (I-469)

“Dutch children from the operetta ‘In Tulip Time’ in the garden.” [c. 1929]
Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section
Box 91, Folder 17 (I-469)

“Council House Children’s Gardens. Sept. 18, 1929.”
Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section
Box 91, Folder 17 (I-469)

Records of the National Council of Jewish Women, New York Section (I-469)

Megan Scauri

Megan has extensive experience working with rare books and special collections in academic libraries, as well as in the rare book trade and auction houses. Her professional focus has been primarily in rare Americana, while her academic background includes research on Italian linguistics and dialectology. In August 2021, Megan joined AJHS, where she oversees our library’s rare and general collections, as well as assisting patrons with reference and photoduplication requests.