VIRTUAL JEWISH MUSEUM

US Joins the War

The US joined its European allies in the war on 6 April 1917. They broke their neutrality because of repeated German attacks on American ships, Hitler's overtures to Mexico, and their support of Great Britain. By war's end, over 2 million Americans served in Europe, and about 50,000 lost their lives.

Americans Fight Germans

The Chicago Daily news had a number of correspondents in Europe who wrote about and photographed the war. They published numerous postcards showing Americans in the field. The captions in English describe the images of battles in France.

Americans Fight in France

On this card the caption is in French and seems aimed at a European audience. The caption reads: "On the Somme front - The taking of Cantigny by American troops, supported by French tanks". The Somme is a French river and major battles had taken place there during the war. This was the 1st major American offensive; they joined the French in bitter fighting and prevailed against the Germans here in May 1918. American war dead are buried in a cemetery in Cantigny nearby.

Gas and Trenches.

Amrican Doctor in France

Jewish Major Leo B. Meyer wrote this letter to Lenore Hertzfeld on 15 Nov 1918, just 4 days after the Armistice was signed. He is in Exermont in the northeast of France, attached to mobile hospital #8. This letter went through the military post and was censored by them.

At the Front

Jewish Major Meyer writes "...am at the VERY front...ground torn up...bodies (German and Allies) all around...We're at the edge of the forest of Argonne...I operated on some that were wounded After the Armistice was signed...Much Love".

US Troops Parade in France

This card , picturing US troops in France, was supplied by the Red Cross. Sgt. Meyer Lieberman is writing to nephew Leopold Lieberman who lives on the Lower East Side in NYC. He is part of the 'American Expeditionary Forces' in France.

WWI New Year's Card

This Shana Tova card was published for the new Jewish year in the fall of 1918. It pictures an American soldier and sailor, and the American and Zionist flags. Inside the box is a new year's wish in English and Yiddish: "...We also wish our brave heroes, fighting over there for liberty equality and fraternity of all nations, to return victoriously to their dear beloved country America".

Jewish Welfare Board Flyer

The National Jewish Welfare board was founded in April 1917, when the US declared war on Germany. It purpose was to support Jews serving in the armed forces, addressing spiritual, recreational and morale needs. They were among the 7 organizations listed on the flyer, all supporting American troops. The cover is taken from their famous poster which encouraged fund-raising.

JWB Flyer

The 12 panels of the flyer describe their qualifications, resources, and range of services, both at American bases and in Europe. Quoting some responses, "I can't express to you all that the Jewish soldier feels toward the JWB." Officers declared "In spite of tremendous obstacles, (the JWB) has become one of the most efficient organizations in camp".

Jewish Welfare Board

The National Jewish Welfare Board provided recreational centers, libraries, religious services, Siddurim, Talisim, Bibles etc, counseling, classes, concerts, gifts, home hospitality, all with trained personnel. They also extended their services to non-Jewish troops when appropriate.

American Chaplains

This letter on JWB stationery was mailed from their office in Paris. It responds to concerns of a Jewish private stationed at a base hospital. "The number of Jewish chaplains will be 36...Four are here now...As more get here they will be assigned...".

US and French Jewish Soldiers Pray

The US signal corps was responsible for communication and public relations. This is one of many official pictures they issued regarding the War. It shows hundreds of Jewish soldiers, both American and French. R' Jacob Kohn was part of a JWB overseas commission that surveyed needs in France, July 1918. He also conducted services, as pictured here, before returning home.

JWB.Jewish Calendar

The Jewish Welfare Board supplied these calendars to Jews in the service.

JWB Jewish Calendar Pages

The calendar lists the Hebrew and English dates of holidays. Another section describes the significance of each holiday. A third section describes Jewish involvement in all the American wars. There is also a time line of the events of the war being fought right then. Also, leading events in Jewish communities around the world.

JWB building at Camp Merritt NJ

Camp Merritt in North NJ was the assembly and deployment camp for soldiers headed overseas. About 1 million were sent to the front. There were barracks, hospitals, and welfare structures, including this building for Jewish soldiers.

JWB Buidings at Various Camps

This card shows JWB buildings at army camps in Maryland, Georgia, and Texas. The Board issued nearly 300 thousand postcards during the war for use by soldiers.

JWB Centers in French Cities

This postcard pictures nine different JWB centers in France, where American troops were deployed in the war.

JWB Ships Bring Them Home

A second type of JWB postcard pictured the ships that brought troops home. One soldier writes "I arrived at New York...(this is) the boat I came over on". Cards were distributed to anyone who asked, and these soldiers are not necessarily Jewish.

JWB ship Card.Maui

Returning soldier 'Blondy' writes home on this JWB ship card: "This is the ship that brought me home. I was sure glad to see it". It is addressed to family in Brownell, Kansas, which had a population of about 200 at the time! Mailed 3 May 1919 at Philadelphia.

WWI.USA.JWB PC.Ship 001 (2)

JWB Card

'I Just Got BacK'

A third type of JWB card was used once soldiers returned to American shores. This one reads: "Going to Camp Merritt N.J. August 10th 1919. Written at Hoboken (NJ)". and the message: Be in Van(dergrift, PA) in 10 or 15 days. Go from there to Camp Sherman Ohio..."

On Duty in France

This envelope was supplied by the JWB and marked 'Soldier Mail' and Amer(ican) E(xpeditionary) F(orces), but not exclusively to Jewish troops. Sgt. Coyne writes home to his wife in Rockford IL. 11 April 1919.

Homesick Le Mons letter

Coyne writes from Le Mons in the center of France. "...I am quite lonely...More of the men left for good old America...I will be home with you some time real soon...".

Jewish Weekly News Magazine

In March 1918 this weekly magazine began to circulate. The Jewish News provided local, American, and British news, and news of the war in Europe. It featured literature, a women's page, a children's page, patriotic remarks, and ads. 5 Cents a copy. This cover illustrates a Jewish nurse helping a Jewish war-wounded soldier, with a Holy Land style graphic behind them.

Inside the Magazine

New York Jews from Harlem, Williamsburg and the East side participate in the Liberty Loan program. Reports on British military action and the Jewish Legion. False accusations against Jews in Britain. The Mizrachi organization gathers for a convention and Justice Brandeis calls on all Zionist factions to unite for the benefit of aspiration for the Land of Israel.

Recruits to the Jewish Legion

Reports and photographs of recruitment in Canada and America for the Jewish Legion of the British Army. They eventually made up the 39th Battalion of the Royal Fusiliers. Several ardent British Zionists are quoted.

Jewish Nurses

This photo card, produced in Brooklyn, NY, pictures a Jewish nurse in WWI. She sports 2 Magen Davids and stands next to what was then the Zionist flag. The back inscription is dated 1918: "For Elisha Jacobson from Leah Bograd'. Despite quotas and discrimination in hiring - and prevailing ideas of Jewish women - Jewesses had been serving since the Civil War, and gave much comfort in WWI.