The Cambridge University Jewish Society was founded on 9 June 1937 as an amalgamation of the Cambridge Hebrew Congregation, Schechter Society, Cambridge University Zionist Society and the Cambridge branch of the Anglo-Jewish Association. The Cambridge Hebrew Congregation had been founded in 1888 to ''hold services in public according to Jewish ritual''. Full membership was available to university members; honorary membership to those with M.A. status; and local Jewish residents were welcome to attend services. From 1896 the congregation had premises in St Mary's Passage. The Schechter Society had been created by 1912 as subordinate organisation of the Cambridge Hebrew Congregation. It held ''meetings at which matters of Jewish interest [were] discussed.'' In the early twentieth century the Anglo-Jewish Association was working worldwide for the limitation of Anti-Semitism, and for the promotion of education both religious and secular. The date of the formation of the Cambridge branch is unknown but in 1905 it was re-formed. It arranged a speaker programme, fundraising schemes and social events. The creation of the C.U.J.S. was linked to the opening of the Thompsons Lane synagogue which the society operates in conjunction with a Cambridge residents committee. At its foundation the society stated its purpose as ''assist[ing] and encourag[ing] Jewish members of the University, and Girton, Newnham and Homerton Colleges to take part in all aspects of Jewish communal life''. In addition to providing worship opportunities the society arranges speaker and study programmes; organises social and cultural events; and runs a kosher café (at various dates known as the canteen or restaurant). Additional members were drawn from Jewish boarders at the Perse School Cambridge and, during the Second World War, students from evacuated London colleges. Past members of note include the sixth president of Israel, Chaim Herzog, and jurist David Daube. Further information about the society's activities is on its website: http://www.srcf.ucam.org/cujs/.