The Last Survivng Jewish Friendly Society Closes

by Sonny Kosky

The Grand Order of Israel and Shield of David Friendly Society the last surviving Jewish friendly society in the friendly society movement has been dissolved and its assets have now been distributed to its last remaining members.

It was evident over the past few years that the society was regularly losing members through death and resignation and the final nail in the coffin has been the 2019 Covid pandemic which severely curtailed its activities which were in the main social, the benefit activities having largely been replaced due to very low take up. It was agreed in 2022 that the society should be dissolved.

Now that the Society passes into Anglo-Jewish history, it would be a shame if that were the end of it without a final word for the record. I having been a member since 1973 in its Essex Sports and Social Lodge No.178 and was active in its affairs for more than 45 years serving in various capacities. My last appointment was as Welfare Officer for the Society. Although not as active latterly due to moving away from the centres of activity in London and Birmingham I have always had a soft spot for its wellbeing and to witness its demise without a word would be very sad for a society which had since its beginning served many thousands of Jews through its benevolence for more than 120 years.

For the reader a little bit of history about the Society and the last remaining Order: -

1793 marked the beginning of the Jewish Friendly Society movement in its form as we knew it until 2022. On the 21st June 1793 the passage of ‘An act for the encouragement and relief of Friendly Societies’ was enacted.

In 1933 the total membership of all the Jewish Friendly Societies and organizations that made up this umbrella body was an amazing 85,569, which demonstrates the importance of the Friendly Society movement in the Anglo-Jewish community at the time. Those who want to understand the history and development of these societies should look at Jewish Historical Studies (the annual publication of the Jewish Historical Society of England), Volume 33.

The Grand Order of Israel

The Grand Order of Israel Friendly Society was inaugurated by Henry Angel and friends on 9 September 1896. Their aim was "to establish a Lodge in every town and city where our co-religionists reside". Membership involved a permanent allegiance to the Jewish cause and service for one's co-religionists and believed that co-operation among Jewish people helps to foster the Jewish conscience and one's obligation to fellow Jews by supporting Communal Institutions and endeavours. In 1901 17 lodges had been established (13 in London and 4 in the provinces) with 1,856 members and funds totalling £2,733. By 1914 there were 81 lodges, 9,474 members and funds totalling £23,425.

The Grand Order of Israel became the first Jewish approved society in the country after the introduction of the National Insurance Act in 1912 and full-time staff were appointed. London was the centre of activity for the Order but lodges were set up in all the large cities of Great Britain and Ireland. During the two World Wars the Order gave assistance to 'aliens' and succour to refugees. The Order was the first Jewish Approved Society under the National Health Insurance Scheme. At the time of the merger with the Order Shield of David in 1935 there were 54 lodges, 5,871 members and funds totalling £59,000.

The Order Shield of David

The Order Shield of David was established in 1896 and was originally known as the Hebrew Order of Druids. By 1903 it had ten lodges in London. The first General Secretary was Frank W Woolf who held the post for more than 30 years. In 1913 the Order Shield of David became an approved Society under the National Insurance Act 1912. At the time of the merger with the Grand Order of Israel there were 41 lodges, 3,578 members and funds totalling £19,000.

The Grand Order of Israel and the Order Shield of David

The Grand Order of Israel and the Order Shield of David merged in 1935, to become the Grand Order of Israel and Shield of David Friendly Society. Details of the merger were agreed at conferences in 1932 and formally confirmed on 26 August 1934.

Branksome Dene Convalescent Home was opened in 1951 in Bournemouth. Members were given two weeks at the home to recover from serious illness or after hospital treatment. The stay was covered by the benefit paid by the member. It closed after 30 years and instead members received grants from the Convalescent Fund.

The 'Messenger' magazine and newsletter was established in the early 1950s as a means of communicating with Order members and increase the profile generally in the Jewish community. The Messenger was replaced by 'Achov' which was published twice a year.

The introduction of the National Health Act resulted in a decline in membership as the National Health Service provided for the medical needs of people. The Order adapted to the changing needs of its members and the focus turned to social activities, which has led to an increase in membership. The Society ran a number of schemes from which members and their dependents benefited. These include death and sickness funds; the private patients scheme and the holiday scheme. The Order also ran a number of social events and conferences including the annual dinner and ball, quiz evenings and the annual conference. At the time of the dissolution of the Order in 2022 only 5 lodges existed, one in Birmingham and 4 in London.