Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
Parallel form(s) of name
Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
- YMHBS
- Young Men's Hebrew Benevolent Society
- Hebrew Benevolent Society of Montreal
Identifiers for corporate bodies
Description area
Dates of existence
History
In 1863 the Young Men's Hebrew Benevolent Society (YMHBS) was formed by young unmarried men with the desire to help Jews in need. The Society also allowed the young Jewish men of Montreal to get to know each other better and to look after their social welfare needs. By 1882, the Society could not cope financially with the influx of immigrants arriving from Russia, most of who were destitute and had no means of support. The YMHBS appealed to philanthropist Baron Maurice de Hirsh. In 1890, Baron de Hirsch sent his first donation and in 1891, the Baron de Hirsch Institute opened and was dedicated to the purpose of "A Free School for the poor children of the Jewish faith and a home for sheltering distressed immigrants and orphans." In 1900 Baron de Hirsch enlarged its sphere, and in recognition of the financial support received, obtained a new charter of incorporation to change its name to Baron de Hirsch Institute and Hebrew Benevolent Society of Montreal. The Institute was the pioneer charitable and philanthropic organization in Montreal.