This year, 2017, marks the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I. From the outbreak of World War I, in 1914, San Diego’s Jewish benevolent organizations, together with the community at large, took on the huge task of raising money for the war-ravaged Jewish community of Europe. When the U.S. entered the war in 1917 and continuing until after the war, they supported the needs of the military personnel stationed here.

Ms. Schwartz will talk about the way national and local Jewish service organizations and congregations rose to these challenges, raising funds, welcoming military personnel and helping to provide for their welfare during and after the war. For example, to care for the needs of Jewish U.S. soldiers, the newly founded San Diego Chapter of the Jewish Welfare Board constructed a building for Jewish troops at Camp Kearny. Ms. Schwartz will also speak about the personal wartime narratives and experiences of Jewish San Diegans and their families.