1891-1957
Bertha was an early College of Pharmacy graduate in 1909, “one of the youngest graduates of the college”. Only one other woman graduated that year, though the first woman graduates were in 1901 there were still very few. Bertha was born in Newark and lived at 521 18th Avenue in 1916 when she married Leon Rosenthal.
Bertha was the former President of Federation of Jewish Women’s Organizations in Newark, head of the Mental Health Committee of the Newark branch of the Council of Jewish Women, and founder of the Council Club for the Elderly. She served on the Newark Welfare and Defense Councils during WWII.
Bertha was ccredited non-government observer at the United Nations for the National Women’s League of the United Synagogue of America, and belonged to a conference group of the US National Organizations on the UN. She was NJ Chairman of the Jerusalem Medical School Campaign.
Bertha was a lifelong member of Oheb Shalom, on the Board of the Miriam Auxiliary. She also founded an one of the first Zionist youth organizations in the US in 1910 and was a member of the National Board of Haddassah and president of its New Jersey branch from 1933-1935. She was also a member of the second Essex County Grand Jury to include women.
Bibliography
Mrs. Rosenthal Succumbs at 65 Jewish News Jun 7, 1957
Miss Bertha Lewis Who Will be Graduate Pharmacist Tonight Newark Star April 26, 1909
“Zionist Society’s Sociable” Newark News Jan 15, 1912
“Rosenthal-Lewit” Newark News Dec 11, 1916
“Woman Graduate First in Pharmacy College” Newark News April 27, 1909
“Mrs. Leon Rosenthal” Newark News Jun 1, 1957