Racie Friedenwald Adler
Racie Friedenwald Adler helped shape a number of Jewish institutions, most significantly the Women’s League For Conservative Judaism. Adler married the scholar and community leader Cyrus Adler in 1905 and became an invaluable support for his work, editing his manuscripts and traveling with him through Europe and the Middle East. During WWI, she served as division chief for Liberty Loans, using her society connections to raise millions of dollars. She also headed a Red Cross unit in Philadelphia, remaining supervisor of the North Philadelphia branch of the American Red Cross for a number of years. She served as president of the Hebrew Sunday School Society of Philadelphia and the local Jewish Welfare Board. Adler was a founding member of the Women’s League and served as its vice president from 1918–1938, repeatedly refusing the role of president. As vice president, she helped establish and fundraise for Jewish student houses on campuses, the forerunners of modern Hillel houses. After resigning her post die to ill health in 1938, Adler was named honorary vice president, remaining involved with the organization until her death.
How to cite this page
Jewish Women's Archive. "Racie Adler." (Viewed on February 19, 2019) <https://jwa.org/people/adler-racie>.