Finding aid for the B'nai B'rith Interlodge Council of Greater Cleveland Records, Series II

History of the B'nai B'rith Interlodge Council of Greater Cleveland

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

Scope and Content

The B'nai B'rith Interlodge Council of Greater Cleveland Records, Series II, 1941-1988, consists of minutes, newsletters, certificates, and charters of several lodges that were part of the Interlodge Council.

This collection is of value to researchers studying the organization, governance, and administration of fraternal service organizations in general, and specifically in the Cleveland, Ohio, Jewish community. Of note is the 1953 birthday book pamphlet listing officers and past presidents, member addresses and telephone numbers, and the charters from Emanu-El, Euclid, and Liberty lodges, which then combined into a single lodge.

Statement of Arrangement

Restrictions on Access

None.

The researcher should also consult MS 4773 B'nai B'rith Interlodge Council of Greater Cleveland Records and PG 511 B'nai B'rith Interlodge Council of Great Cleveland Photographs.

All photographs have been removed to PG 511 B'nai B'rith Interlodge Council of Greater Cleveland Photographs.

Indexing Terms

The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.

Subjects:

Preferred Citation

[Container ___, Folder ___ ] MS 4833 B'nai B'rith Interlodge Council of Greater Cleveland Records, Series II, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, Ohio

Acquisition Information

Bernard Weisz, 1989; B'nai B'rith Interlodge Council, 1993 and 1996; and Marvin Hertz, 2000

Processing Information

Processed by Jane A. Avner in 2000

Detailed Description of The Collection