Grand Order of Israel
Jewish friendly society in the United Kingdom
| Grand Order of Israel | |
|---|---|
| Type | Friendly society |
| Founded | |
| Founder(s) | Henry Angel |
| Dissolved | 1935 (merged) |
| Registration ID | |
| Status | |
| Headquarters | |
| Location | United Kingdom |
| Area served | |
| Services | |
| Registration | |
| Key people | |
| Website | |
| Remarks | |
Grand Order of Israel was a Jewish friendly society established in the United Kingdom in 1896.[1] Founded by Henry Angel and associates, it aimed to provide mutual aid, sickness benefits, and foster cooperation among Jewish communities.[2] The organisation emphasised allegiance to Jewish causes and service to fellow Jews, reflecting beliefs in communal solidarity against discrimination.[2]
The society grew rapidly, establishing lodges across the country. By 1914, it had 81 lodges and approximately 9,500 members.[2] It operated parallel to similar groups like the Order Shield of David, which was originally the Hebrew Order of Druids.[2] The Grand Order of Israel merged with the Order Shield of David in 1935, forming the Grand Order of Israel and Shield of David Friendly Society.[1][2]
History
The Grand Order of Israel was inaugurated on 9 September 1896 by Henry Angel and a group of friends in London.[1] Their objective was to create a lodge in every town with a Jewish community, promoting mutual support and Jewish unity.[2] Membership required a commitment to Jewish causes and cooperation, aligning with principles of anti-discrimination and communal protection.[2]
Early expansion included the establishment of lodges in various regions. For instance, the Duke of Northumberland Lodge No. 14 in Newcastle was founded in 1902.[2] By 1914, the society had expanded to 81 lodges nationwide with around 9,500 members.[2] At the time of the merger in 1935, it had 54 lodges and 5,871 members.[1]
The organisation provided benefits such as sickness pay and funeral assistance, serving as a vital support network for Jewish immigrants and workers in the United Kingdom.[1] Its activities underscored the importance of Jewish solidarity in the face of societal challenges.
The history of the Grand Order of Israel culminated in its merger with the Order Shield of David in 1935, after which the combined entity adopted the name incorporating "Shield of David".[2]
Known lodges
Known lodges of the Grand Order of Israel included:
- Grand Order of Israel Odessa Lodge, No. 97, Glasgow [3]
- Grand Order of Israel Scottish Subsidiary Lodge (Glasgow)
- Grand Order of Israel Judean Memorial Lodge (Glasgow)
- Grand Order of Israel Queen Esther Lodge (Glasgow)
- Grand Order of Israel Dr. Herzl Lodge, No. 12 (Glasgow)
- Amalgamated Lodge No. 18 (Glasgow)[4]
- Grand Order of Israel Duke of Northumberland Lodge, No. 14
- Grand Order of Israel Dr. Adler and Rabbi Shyne Lodge no. 70
- Grand Order of Israel Lord Rothschild Lodge, No. 18 'at the beginning of the 20th century, for example, was affiliated to the Grand Order of Israel. In 1913 the society held weekly meetings on Sunday in the Diamond’s Hall in South Portland Street. Its two hundred members paid a weekly contribution of 11 pence at that time, in return for which they received sick allowance and doctor’s help when needed. In comparison with the Sons of Isaac there were more regulations. The membership card119 of that society ruled that ill members had to be examined by a (non-Jewish) doctor with a practice in the Gorbals and would not receive benefit until the doctor’s certificate had reached the secretary (J. Rosenbloom). The doctor’s permission was also required for patients to go out. A member would be fined if he was found working when supposed to be ill at home or when he was seen at “any place of amusement or at any house but his home.”'[5]
Key figures
- Henry Angel – Founder and inaugural leader.[1]
See also
Friendly society Jewish friendly societies in the United Kingdom
External links
Yerusha archive on the society
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Yerusha, Grand Order of Israel and the Shield of David Friendly Society Yerusha, accessed 19 February 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 UneJH, Grand Order of Israel and the Shield of David Friendly Society UneJH, accessed 19 February 2026.
- ↑ Friday 12 June 1931, Jewish Echo
- ↑ Jewish Echo - Friday 17 November 1950
- ↑ Ben Braber Integration of Jewish immigrants in Glasgow, 1880-1939 Thesis submitted by Ben Braber for the degree of PhD. at the Department of Modern History and the Department of Scottish History, University of Glasgow, December 1992