Jewish Lads' and Girls' Brigade
Encyclopedia
The Jewish Lads' and Girls' Brigade (JLGB) is a national Jewish youth organisation.
The JLGB is the UK's oldest Jewish youth movement. It was founded in 1895 as the Jewish Lads' Brigade by Colonel Albert E. W. Goldsmid
, a senior army officer, to provide an interest for children of the many poor immigrant families who were coming into England
at that time. The first company was launched in London's East End but others soon appeared throughout the city and the provinces. The movement later spread as far as South Africa
and Canada
.
(and often referred to as its "Sister Organisation"), The Brigade catered for boys only in the early days, providing them with more than just spare-time activities. It offered food, clothes and the chance to learn skills which might help in finding a job, and it sought to turn young Jewish immigrant boys into good Englishmen. Just 19 boys attended the first summer camp in 1896. Girls were admitted to membership in the 1963 (as the Jewish Girls' Brigade) and in 1974 the JLB and JGB amalgamated to become the JLGB. Nowadays, several hundred youngsters camp with JLGB throughout the year. JLGB still gives young people the type of valuable training which helps them to succeed in today's world. It also offers a Summer tour to Israel for its members.
Since the Second World War the formation of the first girls' company and the first junior units for the under-elevens has resulted in a larger and more exciting Brigade. There are now hundreds of Jewish boys and girls sharing in the Brigade's experiences.
The JLGB has a rank-structured hierarchy, with members progressing as Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) to become leaders as Warrant Officers and Officers. There are also many non-uniformed helpers and instructors who, together with the Officers and Warrant Officers 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, as well as:
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).
, at a meeting held at the Jews' Free School
in the East End of London
in 16 February 1895, when 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.
The idea quickly became popular, and by March 1898, there were thirteen companies in England, while a company was also established at Montreal
, 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 lost their lives, 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. 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
, Liverpool
, Johannesburg, and Montreal. A somewhat similar movement in New York
has resulted in the formation of the Manhattan Rifles.
On Thursday 13 August 2009, the JLGB broke the Guinness World Record for the largest custard pie
fight at their annual summer camp with 253 people taking part and throwing 648 pies in a matter of minutes.
Most of the senior Brigade members went into Civil Defence in 1939. The ordinary boys in the Brigade units were more confident and able to cope with service in the war. They knew their drill and were able to bypass a great deal of basic training because of the training they got in the Brigade.
During World War II
, approximately 60,000 Jewish men and women out of an Anglo-Jewish community estimated at 400,000 undertook military service. At least 2,010 of them lost their lives. No separate figures exist for the JLB contribution to the national effort during the war, but there is ample evidence that many ex-JLB lads saw rapid promotion through the ranks.
The JLGB is the UK's oldest Jewish youth movement. It was founded in 1895 as the Jewish Lads' Brigade by Colonel Albert E. W. Goldsmid
Albert Goldsmid
Colonel Albert Edward Williamson Goldsmid, MVO was a British officer. He was the founder of the Jewish Lads' Brigade and the Maccabaeans.-Personal life:...
, a senior army officer, to provide an interest for children of the many poor immigrant families who were coming into England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
at that time. The first company was launched in London's East End but others soon appeared throughout the city and the provinces. The movement later spread as far as South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
Summary
Modelled on the Church Lads' and Church Girls' BrigadeChurch Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade
The Church Lads' and Church Girls' Brigade is a Church of England youth organisation with branches in the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Barbados, Bermuda, Kenya, South Africa, Newfoundland and St Helena...
(and often referred to as its "Sister Organisation"), The Brigade catered for boys only in the early days, providing them with more than just spare-time activities. It offered food, clothes and the chance to learn skills which might help in finding a job, and it sought to turn young Jewish immigrant boys into good Englishmen. Just 19 boys attended the first summer camp in 1896. Girls were admitted to membership in the 1963 (as the Jewish Girls' Brigade) and in 1974 the JLB and JGB amalgamated to become the JLGB. Nowadays, several hundred youngsters camp with JLGB throughout the year. JLGB still gives young people the type of valuable training which helps them to succeed in today's world. It also offers a Summer tour to Israel for its members.
Since the Second World War the formation of the first girls' company and the first junior units for the under-elevens has resulted in a larger and more exciting Brigade. There are now hundreds of Jewish boys and girls sharing in the Brigade's experiences.
The JLGB has a rank-structured hierarchy, with members progressing as Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) to become leaders as Warrant Officers and Officers. There are also many non-uniformed helpers and instructors who, together with the Officers and Warrant Officers 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, as well as:
- Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme (for which the JLGB is the only Jewish Operating Authority)
- Challenge Award for Jewish Youth
- Annual Sir Peter E. Lazarus Debating Competition
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
National Council for Voluntary Youth Services
The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services is a membership network of around 170 voluntary and community organisations, as well as local and regional networks, who work with young people and operate in England...
(NCVYS).
History
The brigade was founded, after a lecture by Colonel Goldsmid before the MaccabaeansMaccabaeans
The Maccabaeans is an Anglo-Jewish charity. Started in 1891, it is a friendly society, established in 1894, and registered on the 8th of May, 1901, under the Friendly Societies' Act, as amended 1896...
, at a meeting held at the Jews' Free School
Jews' Free School
JFS is a Jewish secondary school in Kenton, north London. It presently accepts both male and female students. At one time it had more than 4,000 students attending making this school the largest Jewish school in Europe. The school has been awarded specialist Humanities College status...
in the East End of London
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
in 16 February 1895, when 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
Deal, Kent
Deal is a town in Kent England. It lies on the English Channel eight miles north-east of Dover and eight miles south of Ramsgate. It is a former fishing, mining and garrison town...
, and social and athletic clubs were organised.
The idea quickly became popular, and by March 1898, there were thirteen companies in England, while a company was also established at Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. 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
Johannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
.
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
Henry Trotter (British Army officer)
Major-General Sir Henry Trotter GCVO DL was Major General commanding the Brigade of Guards and General Officer Commanding the Home District.-Military career:Trotter was commissioned into the Grenadier Guards in 1862....
, 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 lost their lives, one of them being Lieut. F. M. Raphael, who was killed at Spion Kop
Battle of Spion Kop
The Battle of Spion Kop was fought about west-south-west of Ladysmith on the hilltop of Spioenkop along the Tugela River, Natal in South Africa from 23–24 January 1900...
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. The membership by 1904 was about 3,500, and there were companies existing, in addition to those in London, at Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
, Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
, Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, Johannesburg, and Montreal. A somewhat similar movement in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
has resulted in the formation of the Manhattan Rifles.
On Thursday 13 August 2009, the JLGB broke the Guinness World Record for the largest custard pie
Custard pie
A custard pie is any type of uncooked custard mixture added to an uncooked or partially cooked crust and baked together. In North America, custard pie commonly refers to a plain mixture of milk, eggs, sugar, salt, vanilla extract and sometimes nutmeg combined with a pie crust...
fight at their annual summer camp with 253 people taking part and throwing 648 pies in a matter of minutes.
War time history
The JLB declined in popularity in the inter-war period as a result of public desire for peace and revulsion against 'militarism'. Membership in the JLB halved from a peak of 4,000 in 1910 to a low of 2,000 in 1925.Most of the senior Brigade members went into Civil Defence in 1939. The ordinary boys in the Brigade units were more confident and able to cope with service in the war. They knew their drill and were able to bypass a great deal of basic training because of the training they got in the Brigade.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, approximately 60,000 Jewish men and women out of an Anglo-Jewish community estimated at 400,000 undertook military service. At least 2,010 of them lost their lives. No separate figures exist for the JLB contribution to the national effort during the war, but there is ample evidence that many ex-JLB lads saw rapid promotion through the ranks.
External links
- Official website
- JLGB at YouTubeYouTubeYouTube is a video-sharing website, created by three former PayPal employees in February 2005, on which users can upload, view and share videos....
- JLGB at FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
- The National Council for Voluntary Youth Services (NCVYS)