The Jewish Encyclopedia
of Western Pennsylvania
A project of the Rauh Jewish Archives at the Heinz History Center
The Women’s League for Traditional Judaism was an educational organization for women affiliated with Orthodox and Conservative congregations in Pittsburgh. Rabbi Sol B. Friedman of Poale Zedeck Congregation and Rabbi Benjamin A. Lechter of B’nai Israel Congregation founded the group in December 1921, bringing together members from various congregational sisterhoods throughout the city. It is known to have included representation from the sisterhoods from the following congregations and perhaps others: Adath Jeshurun, Beth Israel of Allegheny, Beth Jehuda of Manchester, Beth Shalom, B’nai Israel, Machsikei Hadas, Poale Zedeck, Talmud Torah, and Tree of Life.
The Women’s League for Traditional Judaism initially hosted speaking engagements and classes led by local and visiting rabbis and professors. Under president Rachel Vixman, the group was beginning to pursue independent projects, including several initiatives aimed at providing Jewish experiences for youth and college students. The activities of the Women’s League for Traditional Judaism appear to have slowed around 1926.