The Central British Fund

The Central British Fund for German Jewry (CBF) was established in 1933 in response to the rise of Nazi persecution. It became one of the leading organisations coordinating aid for Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany and occupied Europe. It was the principal organisation in charge of caring for the Boys in the UK.

The Boys were teenage and child-Holocaust survivors, who were brought to the UK after the war for rest and rehabilitation.

After World War II, the CBF played a central role in bringing Holocaust survivors, including the Boys, to the UK for rest, rehabilitation, and resettlement. It also supported the Kindertransport programme before the war, helping to rescue around 10,000 Jewish children from Nazi-occupied Europe. Its founding committee included Leonard Montefiore (Chairman), Otto Schiff, and Simon Marks.

The CBF worked closely with other Jewish and Zionist organisations such as Bachad, Hechalutz and Habonim, to provide housing, care, and vocational training. It also coordinated the establishment and management of many of the hostels across the UK.

In 1995 it was renamed World Jewish Relief, reflecting its broader international focus.