Our History
JLGB goes back a long way and though we've changed with the world around us, the core ethos of what we do remains the same. Today we celebrate an amazing history of providing skills and opportunities to Jewish young people in safe and supportive environments since 1895!
Find your local group
1895
Colonel Albert E. W. Goldsmid MVO, the highest ranking Jewish officer of the 19th century, founds the Jewish Lads' Brigade to help young Jewish immigrants in the East End. The inaugural meeting takes place at JFS on 16 Feb 1895 with 120 boys.
1897 - 98
With the JLB growing in London, the first groups form across the country, in Liverpool, Manchester, Hull and Cardiff, and even further afield, including the creation of groups in Montreal, Johannesburg and even in Manhattan.
1913
Camperdown House, a purpose-built headquarters for the JLB, is opened in Aldgate in the heart of the Jewish East End, by Viscount Milner. It is managed by the Camperdown House Trust, who still play a pivotal role in JLGB today.
1914 - 18
525 members of the JLB lose their lives during the First World War, accounting for almost one third of British Jews to die for their country throughout the conflict, and 80% of casualties amongst serving Jewish officers.
1921
The then Prince of Wales, Edward VIII, honours the Brigade with a visit to Camperdown House after presenting them with the Prince of Wales Boxing Shield at St James' Palace - which they win 12 times between 1921 and 1939!
1938
15,000 mostly Jewish refugees from Nazi Europe pass through The Kitchener Camp in Kent, which is organised and run by three JLB leaders, teaching English and practical skills and providing a range of activities for 18 months.
1939 - 45
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.
1956
The JLB become one of the first participating organisations in the newly created Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, taking part in the pilot! Boys from Finchley Company earn the JLB's first Gold Awards in 1961.
1963
Liverpool JLB opens its doors to girls for the first time, forming the Jewish Girls' Brigade. Young Jewish girls across the country join weekly groups, camps, competitions, take on leadership roles and reinvigorate the organisation.
1974
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!
1983
With the sale of the original Camperdown House, the Camperdown House Trust purchase a new Headquarters at 3 Beechcroft Road, South Woodford, fondly named 'Camperdown' in memory of its more illustrious predecessor.
1995
JLGB celebrates its Centenary Anniversary with thousands in attendance at Wembley for a concert and ceremony!
2007
The Lord Michael Levy, former accountant and the Chairman of the largest independent music label in the UK, is inaugurated as the President of the JLGB in a ceremony at Laurderdale Road Spanish & Portuguese Synagogue.
2012
JLGB runs its first ever National Citizen Service (NCS) programme. Its faith-sensitive and inclusive programme wins two national awards!
2013
JLGB is at the heart of 'Step Up To Serve', and takes the #iwill pledge to increase opportunities for young people to get involved in social action, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace with HRH The Prince of Wales.
2014
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.
Your stories
-
Almost Sold Out: 30 Spaces Left! 400 campers from... Read more
-
JLGB Summer Camp: 750 Enjoy a Week of Excitement,... Read more
-
Tour Success: 84 Year 11s Take Part in Incredible... Read more
-
Jump Back into the Fun: Our New Brand for JLGB... Read more
-
JLGB Disruptors: A New Youth-Led Teen Programme... Read more
-
Accredited Leadership: Years 12 and 13 - Sign Up... Read more
-
Meet Our Amazing New National Youth Executive... Read more
-
JLGB Introduces Brand New Trustees, Simone Silver... Read more
-
Honouring Sir James: Nominate a Teen Who Has... Read more
-
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Success: Record... Read more
-
Youth Volunteering: More Charities Add... Read more
-
Survey Results: Mobile Phone Policy at Summer Camp Read more
-
Four Behind-the-Scenes Heroes Wanted for our... Read more
-
Great Community Spirit and Local Group Exposure... Read more
-
Over £250,000 Raised in Match Funding Campaign!... Read more
-
King Charles Confirms Continued Patronage of JLGB Read more
-
JLGB Calls for Community Heroes at Summer Camp! Read more
-
45 Jewish Young People Climb the Brecon Beacons... Read more
-
Celebrating 10 Years of eVOLve: Empowering... Read more
-
Tributes Flood in as JLGB Legend Passes Away Aged... Read more
-
85 Years Since the Kitchener Camp Rescue Read more
-
Run, Jog or Walk for JLGB at the Maccabi Fun Run Read more
-
Team Champions Wanted: Sign Up For JLGB’s 36... Read more
-
Hurry, Limited Spaces Left! Europe Tour for Year... Read more
-
Prestigious Award Recognition with HRH The... Read more
-
10 Year Anniversary of DofE Celebration with HRH... Read more
-
Celebrating Barry Hieger - A Lifetime of... Read more
-
SOLD OUT! Hundreds get ready for our Winter Camp... Read more
-
Major Expansion for JLGB Groups thanks to... Read more
-
JLGB Remembers: A Legacy of Honour and Education Read more
-
Become a Youth Trustee of JLGB and Help Uplift... Read more
-
Biggest Year Yet! JLGB set for largest ever... Read more
-
Youth Social Action: JLGB Celebrates 10 Years of... Read more
-
Local Heroes Needed: Can we Count On You? Read more
-
Accredited Leadership: Training Weekend in... Read more
-
Register Online Now: Find your local group and... Read more
-
Youth volunteering opportunities added to evolve... Read more
-
Life Changing Adventure on JLGB Israel Tour Read more
-
Join our Amazing Team of Professionals Read more
-
JLGB awarded The Queen Elizabeth II Platinum... Read more
-
JLGB Fond Memories Reunion Brings Joy and... Read more
-
Generations prepare to reunite this February Read more
-
Over 250 people excited to bring in 2023 at... Read more
-
1000 Expected to sign up for DofE this season Read more
-
JLGB Israel Tour: Last few spaces available Read more
-
Future Leaders set to gain National Leadership... Read more
-
JLGB Local Groups learn to knit blankets for... Read more
-
Be a Fundraising Team Leader For 36 Hour Campaign Read more
-
JLGB pays tribute to a new King Read more
-
Dani runs marathon in father's memory Read more
-
Normandy Veteran Honoured by JLGB Read more
-
Local Groups Return in October Read more
-
Cidney Miller awarded Diana Award Read more
-
New evolve volunteering platform released Read more
-
Biggest Summer Camp in 40 Years Read more
-
JLGB hits £500,000 target to uplift the next... Read more
-
Faiths unite through youth social action Read more
-
Linda Diamond awarded MBE at Windsor Castle Read more
-
JLGB's Local Groups Return! Read more
-
JLGB's Winter Camp is Back and Better Than Ever! Read more
-
Legendary JLGB Summer Camp Returns! Read more
-
JLGB Return to Face-to-Face Weekly Youth... Read more
-
HRH PRINCE PHILIP, THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH Read more
-
Alan Menken on JLGB Virtual Read more
-
David Walliams OBE on JLGB Virtual Read more
-
Wes Streeting MP on JLGB Virtual Read more
-
JLGB Virtual wins JVN Award Read more
-
Jonny Searle MBE on JLGB Virtual Read more
-
Shaun Bailey on JLGB Virtual Read more
-
Jamie Lee Curtis & Christopher Guest on Virtual Read more
-
The Rt. Hon. Lord Eric Pickles on JLGB Virtual Read more
-
“One of a kind” JLGB volunteer recognised in... Read more
-
DofE with a Difference: 100s sign up for the Duke... Read more
-
Primary school children give the gift of kindness... Read more
-
JLGB Virtual Announced as a Finalist for a 2020... Read more
-
Young volunteers give helping hand to those in... Read more
-
Louisa Clein - TV and Theatre Actress Live in our... Read more
-
Bob Saget Live on JLGB Virtual Read more
-
Justin Cohen, News Editor and Co-Publisher of The... Read more
-
Meet JLGB’s New Shinshinim for 2020-2021! Read more
-
Phil Rosenthal the American Television Writer and... Read more
-
Prince of Wales joins JLGB as Patron for 125th... Read more
-
Jeff Garlin's hilarious youth-led Q&A keeps us... Read more
-
Craig David Live on JLGB Virtual Read more
-
The Future: Q&A with Neil Martin OBE, JLGB Chief... Read more
-
Lord Levy praises JLGB for reaching 1.8 million... Read more
-
Brent Spiner, Star Trek actor discusses autism... Read more
-
A-list celebrities join JLGB for GPG Summer party Read more
-
JLGB face-to-face local activities ready to... Read more