Civilians: When We Go Through This We Need All the Help and Comfort You Can Give, 1918
Sidney Riesenberg (American, 1885-1971)
Lithograph on paper
On loan from the Joseph M. Bruccoli Great War Collection, Irvin Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, University of South Carolina
The Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) was one of six organizations that would eventually become the United Service Organizations (USO). It was founded just three days after America’s declaration of war against Germany in order to support Jewish soldiers. The Jewish Welfare Board helped construct various buildings on military bases and stock libraries. It also recruited and trained Rabbis from around the country to serve in both combat and religious roles. Following the end of the war, the Jewish Welfare Board invested in veteran’s affairs and expanded Jewish community centers, acting as a Jewish counterpart to the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA).