History

Our organisation boasts a proud history

In 1848, visionaries in our community established the foundations of Jewish Care with the establishment of the Melbourne Jewish Philanthropic Society to provide assistance to those in need. The entire Jewish population of Victoria numbered only 200.

As wave after wave of migrants established their home here, Jewish Care, together with the community, continued to grow and to evolve, responding to the changing needs and aspirations of those it served with the founding of the Australian Jewish Welfare Society in 1936.

The tradition continues today

The merger of Montefiore Homes and Jewish Welfare in 2001 sought to create a larger, more sophisticated single-care entity which could more comprehensively service the entire Jewish community. 

A decade later, with the 2001 merger now fully bedded down, Jewish Care touches over 15,000 lives each year, helping individuals and families in the Victorian Jewish community receive the support they need to meet the challenges they face.

The wellbeing and betterment of the Jewish community of Victoria continues to be our moral compass as we embark upon exciting and necessary changes to position ourselves as a relevant and viable service for the Melbourne Jewish community for today and for tomorrow.