The B'nai B'rith magazine · 1927-07-01 · 10 (7.1927) · p. Seite 436

Across the Seas ODGES throughout England and Ireland participated in the arrangements to accord a fitting welcome to Alfred M. Cohen, President of the Constitution Grand Lodge, upon his visit to London the week-end of June 17th. Mr. Cohen installed the officers of the newly-established District Grand Lodge of Great Britain and Ireland on June 19th. Delegates from most of the lodges in the District attended this event and welcomed the President*with a demonstration never before taken place in the English B'nai B'rith. Various social functions were held in Mr. Cohen's honor and the important meeting of the District Grand Lodge was postponed until his arrival. The District officers installed are S. Rowson, Grand President; Joseph A. Hamwee and M. Gordon Liverman, Grand Vice-Presidents; Dr. Samuel Daiches, Grand Treasurer, and J. H. Taylor, Grand Secretary. Mr. Cohen left for a three-months' tour of Europe on June 11th, and during his travels will visit principal B'nai B'rith centers in Germany, Czechoslovakia and Austria. He is accompanied by Dr. Louis L. Mann of Chicago. Points included in Mr. Cohen's itinerary and dates on which he was expected to be at each place are as follows : London, June 17 to 24th; Amsterdam, June 25th and 26th; Hamburg, June 28th to July 1st; Berlin, July 1st to 7th; Prague, July 10th to 12th; Vienna, July 16th to 19th; Zurich, July 24th to 26th, and Paris, August 20th to 26th. Mr. Cohen will arrive in New York on Sept. 4th. * * * Though the District Grand Lodge was not officially installed until June 19th, it has been functioning with great effect for nearly a year. This was seen from the reports delivered at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in London on that date. Delegates of the various lodges reported on their investigation of the advisability of establishing B'nai B'rith Lodges in English universities, which would serve a purpose somewhat similar to that of the B'nai B'rith Hillel Foundations in American colleges. In most cases it was seen that principally because of the existence of other Jewish students' organizations, the time was not yet ripe for the formation of university B'nai B'rith Lodges. However, a resolution was adopted urging lodges in college towns to enroll in their membership students of twentyone years of age and over. The one successful effort of the lodges to bring into existence separate college B'nai B'rith organizations was that of the Edinburgh Lodge which obtained an agreement from the Jewish Students' Association of Edinburgh University to join the Order. An interesting sidelight on the practices of English B'nai B'rith was reflected in a motion adopted by the Grand Lodge which granted an application for membership to twenty-nine residents of Southport. The motion called the attention of the new Southport group to a provision forbidding the appointment "to high office in the Lodges of those persons following the profession of money-lending." When the constituent lodges were called upon by the Grand Lodge for reports of their individual activities, the First Lodge of England engaged the attention of the assembly with its announcement of a unique committee which is functioning as a sort of information and good-will bureau for members of the Order. This committee is working tentatively along these lines: Assisting members both of English and foreign lodges, when in London, with guidance, advice or in any other practical way. Giving information to foreign inquirers regarding schools, prospects of young men coming to England, etc. Finding accommodations in Jewish surroundings for children or adolescents sent from abroad for educational purposes. Making inquiries about English relatives of foreign members. Giving advice, as far as possible, on business matters. * * * The First Women's Lodge of England reported on the Stepney Jewish Girls' Club which it conducts and supports in one of the poorest districts of London. Members of the Club are taken on Sunday excursions into the country and are given summer vacations. They have their dramatic group and other social and educational activities. The Lodge finances other agencies that are concerned with the welfare of women and children, among them the Tudor House Convalescent Home where seventeen beds in the children's wing are maintained by the Lodge. * * * A proposal was considered for the co-operation of the B'nai B'rith in extending the work of the Jewish Health Organization to Jewish communities outside of London. It was urged that provincial lodges take the initiative in setting up in their localities under the direction of the Jewish Health Organization, committees representative of the Lodges and of leading communal institutions. The purpose of these committees would be to promote health education, to institute a system of medical supervision in Jewish schools, and to co-ordinate the local health activities with the work of the Jewish Health Organization in London. TSJEWEST of lodges in District XIII is W. Michael-Sachs Lodge at Konigshutte, in East-Upper-Silesia, which was installed recently by Dr. Leon Ader, President of the District. The officers are Max Danziger, President; Dr. Herlitz, Vice-President; Mr. Plaut, Corresponding Secretary, and A. Cohn, Financial Secretary. Another new lodge in District XIII is Concordia Lodge at Kattowitz. r~FHE course of lectures on Jewish subjects for non-Jewish audiences which is sponsored by the B'nai B'rith in England, is seen already to be having its desired result. A recent address on "The Jew of Today," delivered by Rev. A. A. Green before the South Place Ethical Society, London, was heartily received. Rev. Green said that the Jew of today is an exemplar of loyalty to tradition which is alive in his heart—mainly the tradition of the ethical code that was received by his forbears in the Wilderness of Sinai. The Jew, he said, is the most tolerant person in the world, being free from animosities, and recognizing no monopoly of virtues by any particular religion. 436