Agudas Israel

World Agudath Israel, usually known as Agudas, was established in 1912 in Katowice (then Germany, now Poland). It was one of the organisations who worked with the Central British Fund to care for the Boys in the UK and bring them to Britain.

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

Rabbi Solomon Schonfeld

The organisation’s name means “Union of Israel,” and it aimed to preserve religious Jewish life, strengthen Torah study and advocate for the social and political rights of Orthodox Jews.

Its base of support was in eastern Europe before World War II. Agudas developed strong networks of yeshivas (religious schools), welfare institutions, and political representation, particularly in Poland, Lithuania, and Germany.

After World War II, Agudas provided aid for Holocaust survivors in Europe. In Britain, Agudas was instrumental in providing support for Jewish refugees, including Holocaust survivors. The UK branch was located at 37/38 Mitre Street in London. The leader of Agudas in the UK was Rabbi Solomon Schonfeld. 

In Britain, Agudas collaborated with organisations such as the Central British Fund, the Jewish Refugees Committee and the Chief Rabbi’s Religious Emergency Council, to help child survivors, including the Boys, offering Torah study, religious supervision and kosher facilities at hostels housing the Boys across the UK, including Stamford Hill and Queens Drive in London and Staines Yeshiva in Surrey. This religious and cultural support sought to help maintain Orthodox Jewish traditions as part of the Boys’ rehabilitation.

Today, Agudas Israel remains active worldwide, with branches in Israel, the United States, the UK and Europe, continuing to provide for Orthodox Jewish communities.