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B'NAI B'RITH is the world's oldest and largest Jewish service organization, with lodges and chapters in 45 countries. It was founded on Oct. 13, 1843, by 12 men who met in a cafe on the Lower East Side of New York to establish a new fraternal order for U.S. Jews who then numbered 15,000 souls. The first president was Isaac Dittenhoefer, but Henry Jones, his successor, is credited as the chief founder. The founders chose B'nai B'rith ("Sons of the Covenant") as the name of their new organization and the Menorah as its insignia. They formulated its aims in the following preamble to the B'nai B'rith constitution: "B'nai B'rith has taken upon itself the mission of uniting persons of the Jewish faith [originally: 'Israelites'] in the work of promoting their highest interests and those of humanity; of developing and elevating the mental and moral character of the people of our faith; of inculcating the purest principles of philanthropy, honor, and patriotism; of supporting science and art; alleviating the wants of the poor and needy; visiting and attending the sick; coming to the rescue of victims of persecution; providing for, protecting, and assisting the widow and orphan on the broadest principles of humanity."
These purposes were implemented during the 19th and the early 20th century via a program dominated by mutual aid, social service, and philanthropy. In 1865 the order made a substantial grant to aid cholera epidemic sufferers in Erez Israel, and six years later to provide food, clothing, and medical supplies for victims of the Chicago fire. The organization established orphanages, homes for the aged, and hospitals. After 1881, when the mass immigration from Eastern Europe poured into the country, B'nai B'rith sponsored Americanization classes, trade schools, and relief programs.
The first lodge in Europe - and the first outside the United States - was founded in 1882 under the name "Lodge of the German Empire." The order was active in Germany and by 1932 there were 103 lodges numbering 13,000 brethren and a chain of institutions. These lodges formed the B'nai B'rith District Nine. |
