The UJW was formed with the intention of bringing women's perspectives to matters of importance to the Jewish community.
[1] Poor Russian Jewish immigrants settling in the East End of London created demand for services for this community.
The UJW was formed to address issues that Jewish women faced through activism.
The Union declared itself to be an "all-embracing sisterhood," forming a "bond between Jewish women of all degrees and all shades of opinion, religious, social and intellectual.
"[2][3] The Union organized a system of volunteers trained to help women seeking employment and to assist Jewish charitable institutions.