Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Associations (YMHA, YWHA), organizations that promote health, social activities, recreation, acculturation of new Jewish Americans, and Jewish culture among Jews of all ages. The first YMHA was founded in Baltimore in 1854. A YWHA was organized as an auxiliary of the New York City YMHA in 1888, and the first independent YWHA was formed in 1902. During World War I, the organizations were instrumental in organizing support for Jewish servicemen overseas by enlisting rabbis for service at military posts. Out of this effort, the Jewish Welfare Board (JWB) was...
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