The First World Congress of Jewish Women was
held in Vienna, Austria, from 6 to 11 May
1923.
It brought together some 200 delegates from
over 20 countries.
Zionism was a prominent topic, while emigration
to Palestine for Jewish refugees was discussed
and strongly supported.
== Background ==
Interest in international activities grew
out of the National Council of Jewish Women
(NCJW) which was established in the United
States at the end of the 19th century.
It was followed by Jewish women's organizations
in England and Germany.
There was renewed interest after the end of
World War I when delegates of the NCJW were
sent to Europe to investigate the situation
there.
It was therefore decided to bring together
Jewish women from many different countries
to a conference in May 1923 where they could
"consider problems created by the war and
lay constructive plans for working together".
== Conference ==
Supported by the Council of Jewish Women,
local preparations for the congress were ensured
above all by Anitta Müller-Cohen.Chaired
by the Hungarian-born American Rebekah Kohut,
the Vienna congress brought together delegates
from over 20 countries.
Held in the impressive premises of the Hofburg,
the opening session was also attended by many
illustrious local figures, including the Austrian
president Michael Hainisch, the mayor of Vienna,
the chief of police, as well as writers and
politicians.
Subsequent sessions were held in the Commerce
Association's building (im Großen Saal des
Kaufmännischen Gremiums).
=== Speakers ===
Among the speakers at the congress's opening
session were Marianne Hainisch, founder of
the Austrian women's movement; Zwi Perez Chajes,
chief rabbi of Vienna; Regine Ulmann and Anitta
Müller-Cohen from the women's movement; and
Alois Pick, president of Vienna's Israelite
Community.Speakers spoke in their own languages,
mainly German and English but occasionally
also French and Italian.
Where necessary, interpretation was provided.
Speaking on behalf of Vienna's Sephardic Community,
Mazal Ovadia spoke in Hebrew, receiving wide
acclaim.
There were some 200 congress delegates from
Austria, Belgium, Czechoslovakia, Denmark,
the Free City of Danzig, France, Germany,
Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands,
Mandatory Palestine, Poland, Romania, Switzerland,
the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Representing international Jewish organizations,
there were also women from Russia and the
Ukraine.
=== Topics ===
The five main topics discussed over the conference's
six day programme included "the duties of
the Jewish woman within the community, the
problem of refugees and orphans, the situation
of homeless girls, aid for emigration, and
support for Palestine."
There was lengthy discussion of how Palestine
could serve as a sanctuary for European refugees
who wished to relocate.
Among the speakers on the first days were
Roza Pomerantz-Meltzer from Poland on grants
for Jewish schools, Bertha Pappenheim from
Austria on the need to protect Jewish girls
from prostitution, and Dr. Korolik from Russia
on the dreadful treatment of Jewish children
in Russia.The discussions revealed the disastrous
consequences for refugees and orphans who
had been rendered homeless as a result of
pogroms and persecution.
When representatives from Eastern Europe described
the fate of Jews in Russia and the Ukraine,
the effects on the participants were so distressing
that the proceedings had to be interrupted
for a few minutes.
While there was no support for political action,
it was suggested that, in line with the Balfour
Declaration, Zionism could serve as a practical
means of dealing with the suffering experienced
by the Jews.There was unanimous agreement
on the need for support to Palestine.
In the words of one of the final congress
resolutions: "It appears, therefore, to be
the duty of all Jews to co-operate in the
social-economic reconstruction of Palestine
and to assist in the settlement of Jews in
that country."
== 
Second congress ==
A second World Congress of Jewish Women was
held in Hamburg, Germany, from 3 to 6 June
1929
