Grand Order of Israel and Shield of David Friendly Society
Jewish friendly society in the United Kingdom formed by merger in 1935
| Grand Order of Israel and the Shield of David Friendly Society | |
|---|---|
| Type | Friendly society |
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| Dissolved | |
| Registration ID | |
| Status | Active (as social club) |
| Headquarters | |
| Location | United Kingdom |
| Area served | |
| Services | |
| Registration | |
| Key people | |
| Website | |
| Remarks | |
Grand Order of Israel and the Shield of David Friendly Society is a Jewish friendly society in the United Kingdom formed in 1935 by the merger of the Grand Order of Israel and the Order Shield of David.[1] The combined organisation provided mutual aid, sickness benefits, and social support within Jewish communities, emphasising solidarity and cooperation among Jews.[1] It later transitioned from a formal friendly society to functioning primarily as a social club.[2]
The society originated from two separate entities established in 1896.[1] It offered benefits including financial assistance during illness and funeral support, serving as an important network for Jewish members facing communal and economic challenges.[1] Membership involved commitments to Jewish causes and mutual aid.[1]
By the mid-20th century, the organisation published The Messenger in the early 1950s to connect with members and the broader Jewish community; this later became Achov.[1] As friendly societies declined in the United Kingdom, the Grand Order of Israel and the Shield of David shifted focus to social activities while retaining its lodge structure.[2]
History
The Grand Order of Israel and the Shield of David Friendly Society resulted from the 1935 merger of the Grand Order of Israel (founded 1896 by Henry Angel) and the Order Shield of David (originally the Hebrew Order of Druids, also founded 1896).[1] At merger, the former had 54 lodges and 5,871 members, while the latter had 41 lodges and over 3,500 members.[3][1]
The merged entity continued providing traditional friendly society services amid the context of Jewish communal support networks in the United Kingdom.[1] In the early 1950s, it launched a publication to maintain communication.[1]
Over time, as the role of friendly societies changed due to state welfare provisions, the organisation evolved into a social club with active lodges.[2] As of recent reports, a small number of lodges remain operational, meeting regularly for social purposes.[2]
Known lodges
Known lodges associated with the society include:
- Grand Order of Israel and Shield of David Hyam Goldberg Lodge, No. 56 (Swansea, founded 1912 under predecessor)[4]
- Lodge No. 178 (Barkingside area)[2]
Other lodges existed historically in locations such as Newcastle (Duke of Northumberland Lodge under predecessor), Stamford Hill, and Birmingham.[1][2]
Key figures
Limited specific leadership details are documented post-merger; early figures from predecessor organisations include Henry Angel (founder of the Grand Order of Israel).[1]
See also
Grand Order of Israel Order Shield of David Friendly society Jewish friendly societies in the United Kingdom
External links
Unlocking North East Jewish Heritage entry
Notes
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 UneJH, Grand Order of Israel and the Shield of David Friendly Society Unlocking North East Jewish Heritage, accessed 19 February 2026.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Jewish East End, Friendly Societies Jewish East End of London, accessed 19 February 2026.
- ↑ Yerusha, Grand Order of Israel and the Shield of David Friendly Society Yerusha, accessed 19 February 2026.
- ↑ JewishGen, Swansea Jewish Community JCR-UK, accessed 19 February 2026.