JLGB

In April 1891 The Jewish Chronicle published a letter from Rev Francis Lyon Cohen[3] headed ´But what about the boys?´ in which he called for the creation of a Jewish youth group based on the Boys' Brigade[4] for the well-being of working-class Jewish boys in the East End of London at the crucial period ´"Between their leaving school and their attainment of manhood".[5][6] After a lecture by Colonel Albert Goldsmid before the Maccabaeans at a meeting held at the Jews' Free School in the East End of London on 16 February 1895 the first company of boys was enrolled; and six weeks later the first weekly drill was held. Recruits were drawn from JFS, the Norwood Orphanage and local elementary schools, known as Board Schools, which had been set up under the Education Act of 1870. In 1896 the first summer camp, of nineteen boys, was held at Deal, and social and athletic clubs were organised. Rev Cohen served as staff chaplain.

The idea quickly became popular, and by March 1898, there were thirteen companies in England, while a company was also established at Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Four of these, consisting of five officers and ninety boys, had been represented at the seaside camp at Deal, England, during the preceding summer. A labour bureau was then established with a view to obtaining employment for the boys; and provincial companies rapidly sprang into existence. In 1898 the summer encampment consisted of 400 boys; and a year later the number of companies in existence rose to 23, including one at Johannesburg, South Africa.

In August 1899, a second summer camp was formed in the north of England for the benefit of the members of the northern contingent, while the Deal camp was inspected by Lt.-Gen. Sir Charles Warren, who highly praised the efficiency of the lads. In 1900 a public display was given in London, which was attended by Maj.-Gen. Sir Henry Trotter, the general officer commanding the home district. The following year the number of companies had increased to thirty, while the muster-roll showed a total strength of between 3,000 and 4,000 members. Seventeen officers and members of the brigade took part in the South-African war, including Colonel Goldsmid, his place as commandant being occupied by Lieut.-Col. E. Montefiore. Of the seventeen, two died, one of them being Lieut. F. M. Raphael, who was killed at Spion Kop while attempting to rescue a wounded soldier.

In 1901 there were 540 boys at the Deal camp, and about 250 at the camp at Lytham. Goldsmid returned to the helm in 1902, followed by Montefiore later returning again in 1904. The membership by 1904 was about 3,500, and there were companies existing, in addition to those in London, at Newcastle, Bradford, Leeds, Sheffield, Hull, Birmingham, Manchester (with an adjoining youth club),[7] Liverpool, Johannesburg, and Montreal. A somewhat similar movement in New York City has resulted in the formation of the Manhattan Rifles.

The JLGB runs weekly groups, Israel tours and seasonal camps. They provide a diverse range of activities within a Jewish environment, including camping, voluntary and community service, citizenship, sports, drama, social events, crafts, music, outdoor pursuits and tours. In 2014 JLGB launched their new volunteering initiative eVOLve, to create a platform for different awards and opportunities including:

• Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme (for which the JLGB is the only Jewish Operating Authority)
• NCS (National Citizens Service) providing a faith sensitive version of their summer programs
• Yoni Jesner Award
• Chief Rabbi Kindness Award

By virtue of its work towards the personal and social development of young people, JLGB is a member of the National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS).[11]

• Jewish Brigade

• Official website