| Repository: | Western Reserve Historical Society |
| Creator: | B'nai B'rith Balfour Lodge |
| Title: | B'nai B'rith Balfour Lodge Records |
| Dates: | 1937-1977 |
| Extent: | 0.20 linear feet (1 container) |
| Abstract: | The B'nai B'rith Balfour Lodge was established in 1930 to reach Jews living on the west side of Cleveland, Ohio. The collection consists of bylaws, lists, membership records, and a scrapbook. The scrapbook documents activities from 1937 to 1947, including war service, social activities, and information about individual members. |
| MS Number | MS 4774 |
| Location: | closed stacks |
| Language: | The records are in English |
The B'nai B'rith Interlodge Council of Greater Cleveland was formed in 1942 to coordinate lodge activities of the Cleveland, Ohio, chapter of B'nai B'rith. The Cleveland chapter of B'nai B'rith (f. 1853) is Cleveland's oldest service organization. The national organization was founded in 1843 in New York City with the goals of "uniting Israelites in the work of promoting their highest interests and those of humanity," and using philanthropy and other activities to alleviate suffering and poverty. Simson Thorman became the Cleveland group's first president. Various lodges were established, reaching twelve in number in the 1930s. The organization's service activities included the establishment of the first B'nai B'rith library in America (1863) and the Jewish Orphan Home (1863), as well as fundraising for national and international disasters.
In addition to its service functions, B'nai B'rith provided a social and fraternal outlet for the growing Jewish population of Cleveland.
click here to view the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History entry for B'nai B'rith
The B'nai B'rith Balfour Lodge Records, 1937-1977, consist of bylaws, lists, membership records, and one scrapbook. The scrapbook documents activities from 1937-1947, including war service, social activities and information about individual members.
The collection is of value to researchers studying fraternal organizations in general, and Jewish communal life on the West Side of Cleveland, Ohio, in particular.
None.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4774 B'nai B'rith Balfour Lodge Records, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio
Robert Grossman, 1993
Processed by Harold Friedman and Jane A. Avner in 1998
B'nai B'rith Balfour Lodge Records 1937-1977 undated |
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| Box | Folder | ||||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Bylaws 1969 | |||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Certificate 1971 | |||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Correspondence 1974 | |||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Membership lists 1973-1974 1976-1977 undated | |||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Newspaper clipping 1975 | |||||||||
| 1 | 1 | Program list 1968 | |||||||||
| 1 | 2 | Membership records 1967-1977 | |||||||||
| 1 | 3 | Scrapbook 1937-1947 | |||||||||