Our History

The Jewish Vegetarian Society (now JVS) was founded in the 1960s, sparked by a letter from Vivien Pick to The Jewish Chronicle. She asked whether there were other Jewish vegetarians interested in meeting up. The response led to the formation of a new community, with her father, Philip Pick—a lifelong advocate for a more compassionate world—as its first President.

Philip believed deeply in a society free from cruelty to both animals and humans. The Society quickly found common ground in Jewish teachings—particularly the Torah’s emphasis on compassion and the idea that “the herbs of the field” were given to us for food. Many early members had felt alone in their discomfort with killing animals for food; now, they had a community where their values aligned with their faith.

A growing movement, and a home in Golders Green

The first JVS meetings were held in committee members’ homes around Highgate, north London. But it soon became clear that this was more than a small gathering—it was meeting a wider need. Thanks to a growing membership and several generous donations, the Society acquired a small property in Swiss Cottage.

In 1971, under Philip Pick’s leadership, JVS moved into a new and larger space: Bet Teva (House of Nature), in Golders Green. This became the Society’s official base and remains its office and event space today.

Community, education, and celebration

In the 1970s, JVS flourished. We hosted regular social events—suppers, quizzes, parties, balls, concerts, and buffets—as well as practical and educational gatherings: cookery classes, yoga sessions, and talks on topics like nutrition, acupuncture, naturopathy, animal welfare, and environmental ethics.

We held themed evenings like “Ask the Rabbi” and “Gardeners’ Question Time”, alongside monthly committee meetings where members could browse vegetarian books or watch live cookery demos. There were also vegetarian weekends away and annual group outings.

Publishing and spreading the message

We launched a quarterly magazine, The Jewish Vegetarian, which was posted to all members and also sold in vegetarian-friendly shops including Holland & Barrett and W.H. Smith. It advertised events and shared recipes, articles, and thought pieces.

You can read the very first issue, published in September 1966.

Over time, the Society attracted members from across the UK and around the world. Local chapters (“branches”) were founded in Europe, South Africa, Australia, the United States, South America, and Israel.

Feeding the community: The Members’ Dining Room

Expanding to Israel and supporting children at risk

In the early 1990s, a generous bequest from a long-standing member made it possible to establish an affiliated Society in Israel. The Vegetarian Community Centre was opened on Balfour Street in Jerusalem. Today, this space continues as Ginger, a hub for potlucks, dinners, and vegan advocacy events.

In 1984, JVS also began supporting Orr Shalom, a vegetarian children’s home offering a safe haven for at-risk children and youth. Orr Shalom has since grown into a national network supporting over 1,300 children in Israel. These children are cared for in foster homes, therapeutic family homes, girls’ homes, emergency care centres, and intensive support facilities.

A lasting legacy

Philip Pick passed away in 1992. Through his passion, charisma, and leadership, he had become the heart of the Society and a guiding force for many. His legacy continues in everything JVS stands for today.

 

Into the 21st Century: Growth, Renewal and a Vegan Vision

As we entered the 2000s, JVS continued to evolve—staying rooted in our founding values while embracing the tools and challenges of a new era. Interest in plant-based living was growing, and JVS was ready to meet the moment.

In 2011, we hired our first professional Director, Suzanne Barnard, who began a period of modernisation for the Society. Suzanne relaunched our website, refreshed The Jewish Vegetarian magazine, and expanded our events programme—laying the foundations for a more visible and vibrant JVS.

In 2014, Lara Balsam (formerly Smallman) took over as Director, leading the organisation for nearly a decade. Under Lara’s leadership, JVS underwent a major transformation. She oversaw a large-scale building project that gave us a state-of-the-art hall, a multi-use vegan kitchen, and a fully equipped conference room at our Golders Green base. These upgrades helped turn Bet Teva into a hub for community, education, and activism—welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds.

It was also during Lara’s tenure that JVS formally became a vegan organisation, recognising that cruelty-free vegetarianism is virtually impossible in the modern food system. This decision aligned our practices more fully with our values and ensured our events, resources, and messaging were ethically consistent and forward-looking.

Throughout these changes, one constant has been Michael Freedman, who has played a critical role in JVS’s journey. Michael began leading the Board of Trustees from the 1980s through to the 2010s  and continues to serve as our Treasurer to this day—at the age of 87. During times of financial uncertainty, Michael’s commitment, wisdom and integrity helped ensure the Society’s survival and long-term sustainability. His quiet but vital leadership preserved the legacy of JVS and made its revival possible.

In recent years, JVS has embraced digital platforms and social media to connect with a wider, younger audience. We’ve hosted everything from vegan challah workshops and climate-focused seders to interfaith panels and plant-based cookery demos.

Today, our work continues from our home in Golders Green, while our community spans the UK and beyond. JVS is a place where Jewish values meet ecological awareness, where compassion for animals is celebrated, and where tradition inspires positive change.

We honour the legacy of our founders, leaders, and long-time members—and we invite you to help shape the next chapter.