The Jewish community found it hard to support many of the poorer people arriving from overseas who chose to stay in the town. 

 

To solve this problem, they set up several charities to provide food, shelter and money for needy Jewish people, including: 

• The Gemilous Chassedim Philanthropic Society (founded 1848) lent people money without charging them interest
• The Meshivas Nephesh Society (1849) helped people who were too ill to work
• Hull Ladies Hebrew Benevolent Society (1860) supported Jewish people in need

• Hull Hebrew Holy Institute (1870) looked after visitors and strangers to the city
• Hull Jewish Soup Kitchen (1872) provided food on the Sabbath and Jewish Festivals to poor Jewish immigrants
• The Hull Jewish Guild (1879) was a social club for Jewish people
• Hull Hebrew Emigration Philanthropic Society aimed 'to help all Hebrew Transmigrants coming through the City assisting them on their way and to supervise the Kashrus [these are Jewish Dietary Laws].’

In 1880 all these charities were merged into one: the Hull Hebrew Board of Guardians. It was set up for Jewish people who were poor, sick or elderly. In 1885 they had 604 cases. 

 

 

In the 20th century, many more Jewish community organisations were founded – from the Hull Jewish Friendship Club to the Hull Jewish Blind Society and the Hull Orphan Aid Society. 

Board of Guardians – People who make decisions about giving help to people who need it

Immigrant - Someone who travels to a new country to live there

Interest – A charge for borrowing money

Merged – Several things joined together to make one

Philanthropic – Something done to help people who are in need

Provide – To give something that is needed

Remembrance – The act of remembering an event or person

Supervise – To watch over work done by someone else

Transmigrant – Someone who moves from one place to another