The associations and charitable foundations, through social contribution and solidarity, support the education, health, and culture of a people. Philanthropy and solidarity have been the fundamental principles and pillars upon which the communal survival of the Jews was based. Already from the early medieval years, the Jewish communities in Europe created a network of charitable associations and benevolent institutions. Thus, a system of welfare was established, primarily for the assistance of the underprivileged.

Associations

For a Community to manage its needs, it also requires the voluntary contribution of its members. Thus, in the Jewish communities, the institution of committees was created, based exclusively on volunteerism. The care of social and educational issues, the organization of youth activities, the support of the poor, as well as the maintenance of communal infrastructures, were inseparably connected with their existence.

Committees

Each Community was obliged to have committees such as the Chevra Kadisha, the Parnassim of welfare, Kashrut, Petsia, School, Orphanage, Hospital, etc., which supervised and handled the problems that arose. The ever-increasing needs, often common to the Communities, led to the creation of a central coordinating body that would represent the communities as a whole before the country’s authorities, reinforcing cohesion, the sense of responsibility, and social solidarity.