Jewish cultural, educational and humanitarian society “La Benevolencija” was established back in January of 1892, and is the oldest society of such a kind in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which still exists today.
During the formation, the main goal were scholarships for young talented students and Jewish students, along with fostering of cultural traditions, to the period until the beginning of World War II, when all Jewish cultural and humanitarian organizations, in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and beyond were under jurisdiction of La Benevolencija.
With the arrival of occupier, 1941 all activities of “La Benevolencija” were shut down, and property and a large library of 100.000 units was plundered or destroyed.
After the election in 1990, the society renewal started to occur, and it was re-registered in early 1991, since when it works non-stop in Bosnia and Herzegovina, with its affiliates and fraternal organizations, who took name “Benevolencija” in Netherlands, Germany, Swiss, Serbia, Macedonia, France, Italy and UK. This network of organizations, under name “Friends of La Benevolencija Sarajevo” is one of the most important sources of financing of activities of this society.
The basic program objectives “La Benevolencija” are:
- Fostering of Jewish culture and tradition,
- Study and valorization of the Jews in this area,
- Organizing and helping the cultural, artistic and creative work with a Jewish theme and creativity in general,
- Assistance in education,
- Training, education , scientific research, work and publishing,
- Protection of monuments and revitalization of Jewish culture,
- Providing humanitarian assistance and health care to ones who need it the most,
- Cooperation with other similar organizations.
Religious aspect itself is covered through the work of the Jewish community, which is an active member of “La Benevolencija” while the society is multiethnic, and consisted of all members of nationalities of religions represented in B&H.
Of specific programs, the largest by number of activists is, consumers and the budget program "Home care - home care services and social protection of elderly persons", which covers 620 users in Sarajevo and 50 in other cities in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in whose implementation assist around 60 members of associates, nurses, medical and support staff.
In the social care of older people, public kitchen, which at war daily used to produce 320 to 350 hot meals, still today produces 30 free meals per day to those who need it most, and what satisfy the needs of the region.
Concern about young people is realized through two programs. The first is Sunday Jewish schools, which brings together members of the Jewish community in pre-school and school age of eight years, which has about 25 students, and the Club "Young friends” who gathers teenagers around Society members, and friends. In this program, about 40 participants learn to live and work together, regardless of religious and ethnic differences, and in addition to regular meetings weekly, it organizes be summer holidays, which for several years carried on Mount Igman.
Cultural activities, "La Benevolencija" consisting of a permanent exhibition in our gallery "New Temple", one of the most representative in Sarajevo, and the regular publication of "Jewish vote" magazine, concerts in the premises of "La Benevolencija, and folk performances and theater groups from the country and abroad.
