Our History

Colonel Albert E. W. Goldsmid MVO, the highest-ranking Jewish officer of the 19th century, founded the Jewish Lads' Brigade to support Jewish immigrants. The first JFS meeting on 16 Feb 1895 had 120 boys.

As the JLB expanded in London, groups formed across the UK in Liverpool, Manchester, Hull, and Cardiff, and internationally in Montreal, Johannesburg, and Manhattan.

Camperdown House, a purpose-built JLB headquarters, opens in Aldgate, the Jewish East End, by Viscount Milner. Managed by the Camperdown House Trust, they continue to play a key role.

During the First World War, 525 JLB members died, nearly a third of British Jewish war casualties and 80% of Jewish officer casualties, reflecting their significant sacrifice.

Prince Edward VIII visits Camperdown House after presenting the Brigade with the Prince of Wales Boxing Shield at St James' Palace, which they win 12 times from 1921 to 1939!

The Kitchener Camp in Kent, organized by three JLB leaders, hosts 15,000 mostly Jewish refugees from Nazi Europe, offering English lessons, practical skills, and activities for 18 months.

JLB officers and members volunteer to fight in the Second World War, with the press reporting that over 87 Officers, Warrant Officers and NCOs, and over 220 lads serve across the Army or Civil Defence Units. 

The JLB joins the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme as one of the first participants, with Finchley Company boys earning the JLB's first Gold Awards in 1961.

Liverpool JLB opens to girls, forming the Jewish Girls' Brigade. Young Jewish girls nationwide join weekly groups, camps, and competitions, take on leadership roles, and reinvigorate the organization

JLB and JLG merge to become JLGB! The organisation continues to go from strength to strength with new mixed and Junior groups (aged 8-11) set up across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland!

Following the sale of Camperdown House, the Camperdown House Trust acquires a new headquarters at 3 Beechcroft Road, South Woodford, naming it 'Camperdown' in memory of the original.

JLGB celebrates its Centenary Anniversary with thousands in attendance at Wembley for a concert and ceremony!

Lord Michael Levy, former accountant and Chairman of the UK’s largest independent music label, is inaugurated as JLGB President in a ceremony at Lauderdale Road Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue.

JLGB runs its first ever National Citizen Service (NCS) programme. Its faith-sensitive and inclusive programme wins two national awards!

JLGB, central to 'Step Up To Serve,' takes the #iwill pledge to boost youth social action opportunities at a Buckingham Palace ceremony with HRH The Prince of Wales.

JLGB's evolve youth volunteering & skills initiative is launched by Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis in a ceremony at Kensington and Chelsea Town Hall with HRH The Earl of Wessex as the guest of honour. 

In response to the COVID-19 lockdown, JLGB launches JLGB Virtual, streaming programmes and special guests like Craig David, Brent Spiner, and Professor Lord Robert Winston into millions of homes worldwide.

In celebration of its 125th year, and in recognition of the organisation's successes, The former Prince of Wales agrees to become the patron of JLGB.