Grand Order of Israel Friendly Society
Jewish friendly society in the United Kingdom
| Grand Order of Israel
| |
|---|---|
| Type | Friendly society |
| Founder(s) | Henry Angel |
| Dissolved | 1935 (merged) |
| Location | United Kingdom |
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 (ordered by lodge number where known). People below are taken from the Benjamin family, Sless family, Levitus family, Furst family / Elias Henry Fürst, and Glasser pages (there is no Glasser family page yet; see Moray Glasser), and are placed here when the dated source is before the 1935 merger.
- Dr. Herzl Lodge, No. 12 (Glasgow)
- King Edward VII Lodge, No. 13, Edinburgh, founded by 1906, according to some sources.[3] In reality was in existence by 1902/3.
- 1907 – E. H. Fürst (of the Furst family), Noble Master.[4]
- 1910 – Bro. E. H. Furst, Past Master, assisted Bro. C L Michaelson, P.M., at the installation of officers. H. Levitus (of the Levitus family) was installed as Treasurer. Membership 140.[5]
- Duke of Northumberland Lodge, No. 14 (Newcastle), founded 1902.[2]
- Lord Rothschild Lodge, No. 18 (Glasgow). At the beginning of the 20th century it 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 card 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.”[6]
- Lord Milner Lodge, No. 21, from 1903, Cape Town.[7]
- 1903 – D. Levitus (of the Levitus family) was one of the consecrating officers and a secretary of the lodge.[8]
- Sir Moses Montefiore Lodge, No. 38 (Blackburn), founded 1906.[9]
- Lady Rothschild Lodge, No. 67 (Glasgow) — ladies' lodge. Installation of office-bearers at Geneen's Restaurant, Bridge Street (14 February 1930, p. 5), with officers including Sister R. Sless (Vice Chair Lady) and Sister B. Sless (committee); Sis. R. Sless also proposed a toast to the Returning Officers. Subsidiary delegates were J. Remocker and L. Finkelstein.[10] Monthly tea nights were held at the G.O.I. Rooms, 11 Abbotsford Place, Glasgow.[11]
- Sister R. Sless may be Rossie (Rosie) of the Sless family (Israel and Jane), but this is not confirmed.[12]
- Dr. Adler and Rabbi Shyne Lodge, No. 70 (Glasgow).
- Judean Memorial Lodge, No. 78 (Glasgow)
- Snapper Lodge, No. 96 (Nottingham), founded by 1915.[13]
- Odessa Lodge, No. 97 (Glasgow)[14]
Unnumbered / regional:
- Scottish Subsidiary Grand Lodge (S.S.G.L.; also called Scottish Subsidiary Lodge) (Glasgow)
- 1933–34 – Bro. A. Benjamin (identified on the Benjamin family / Abe Benjamin pages with Abe (Abraham) Benjamin, later Alec Abraham Bennett), elected Noble Grand Master of the Scottish Subsidiary Grand Lodge (AGM reported 10 March 1933); still N.M. of the S.S.G.L. on 2 February 1934; by 17 August 1934 the Noble Grand Master was Bro. J. H. Levin.[15][16][17]
- Queen Esther Lodge (Glasgow)
Key figures
- Henry Angel – Founder and inaugural leader.[1]
- Elias Henry Fürst (Furst family) – Noble Master, King Edward VII Lodge, No. 13, 1907; Past Master assisting the 1910 installation.[4][5]
- Harry Levitus (Levitus family) – Treasurer, King Edward VII Lodge, No. 13, 1910.[5]
- D. Levitus (Levitus family) – consecrating officer and secretary, Lord Milner Lodge, No. 21, Cape Town, 1903.[8]
- Abe Benjamin (Benjamin family) – Bro. A. Benjamin in the Jewish Echo; Noble Grand Master, Scottish Subsidiary Grand Lodge, elected 1933 (still in office February 1934).[15]
See also
- Grand Order of Israel and Shield of David Friendly Society (successor, from 1935)
- Order Shield of David
- Friendly society
- Jewish friendly societies in the United Kingdom
- Benjamin family · Sless family · Levitus family · Furst family
External links
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.
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 UneJH, Grand Order of Israel and the Shield of David Friendly Society UneJH, accessed 19 February 2026.
- ↑ Edinburgh Jewish Community, JCR-UK.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Elias Henry Fürst; cf. Grand Order of Israel The King Edward VII Lodge, No. 13 (Jewish Year Book 1907 officers list).
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Jewish Chronicle, 11 February 1910, as cited on Levitus family.
- ↑ Ben Braber, Integration of Jewish immigrants in Glasgow, 1880-1939, PhD thesis, University of Glasgow, December 1992.
- ↑ Jewish Chronicle, 21 August 1903.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Jewish Chronicle, 21 August 1903, as cited on Levitus family.
- ↑ Blackburn Jewish Community, JCR-UK.
- ↑ Jewish Echo, 14 February 1930, p. 5.
- ↑ Jewish Echo, 16 May 1930, p. 6.
- ↑ Sless family, citing Jewish Echo, 14 February 1930.
- ↑ Nottingham Jewish Community, JCR-UK.
- ↑ Jewish Echo, 12 June 1931.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 Jewish Echo, 10 March 1933, p. 5.
- ↑ Jewish Echo, 2 February 1934, p. 8.
- ↑ Jewish Echo, 17 August 1934, p. 7.