PAGE FOUR

THE JEWISH CHRONICLE

look back to the impotent period
Rabbis in Ranks.
mit that the enactment was a that members, "watch" at the
of our society, but proudly may
The
rabbis
of
every
school
and
bedside of a sick brother, if need-
serious mistake.
we acclaim that the crisis has
Pisgah Lodge has very few ed. The professional nurse, as distinction gradually became con-
definitely passed and that we
soled
to
the
fact
that
the
Order
happily
exists
today,
was
un-
endowment members left on the
again will march onward and
is the best friend of the pulpit
books. .Many have voluntarily known in the "good old days."
forward, rivaling with the most
and
mainly
because
the
Lodge,
withdrawn from endowment par-
To write the "History of Pis-
active and progressive of our
ticipation and those remaining gah Lodge" it is incumbent to due to the broad principles un-
State of Ohio inaugurated an
sister lodges, to espouse the no-
derlying
it,
has
the
tendency
to
on
the
list
do
it
for
charitable
or
disclose some of its proceedings
The late Brother Seligman
ble principles for which the Or-
endowment system. By this in Schloss was also chosen Direc- fraternal reasons.
held in secret session, which, keep the Jew within the fold of der was organized and existed •
Judaism
and
very
often
opens
to
The
Order
of
13'nai
With
is
the
event
of widow
the demise
of of
a tor;
and upon
Ines
retirement
however, the writer recalls were
for over three score years and
brother,
the
or heirs
Brother
Bernard
Ginsburg
as-
not all institution from a‘hich "public property" at the time of the unaffiliated a path to the
ten.
the deceased would receive sumed the duties. When lie material benefits accrue to its its occurrence. :1s stated earlier Synagogue.
The Outlook.
While almost every Rabbi
$1,000. resigned last July 13 ,i,other members. It was not founded or in this article, the law for mem-
Why this transformation, and
There arose a clamor for a Adolph Finsterwald was effected.
intended as such. Every bers of the stick committee to since the Order's founding joined why so sudden? The perfunc-
like law for the entire district. The writer of this paper served even
one who seeks adtnission to the call on the sick brother was it and at times were most active, tory recital of ritual for opening
At the same time the City of the institution as an officer fur brotherhood is offered no rewards strictly in force and the failure to it is in recent years that they ac- the lodge and the transaction of
cepted higher offices.
Chicago,
and lodges
other northwestern
cities where
existed de- about forty years, and hopes to save the consciousness that ema- visit and report his condition to
routine business has little at-
In Pisgah Lodges from the
be permitted to continue in its nates from doing one's duty to the Lodge was punishable by
traction to the large majority of
earliest
days,
Rabbis
Adler
and
. sired
their
own
Grand incorpor-
Lodge, service until his life's career of fellowmen. It has been correctly fine.
which
could
or would
members. There must be a dis-
Laser, as the records show, were
said, "Ours is On army organized
A Trial.
ate in their laws an endowment usefulness is ended.
tinctive incentive, something
zealous members. Rabbis Mar-
to war upon sorrow, ignorance
Younger Leaders.
system such as was in vogue in
One of the most esteemed
that is interesting, entertaining,
cus, Kalisch, Kohler, Epstein,
After a lapse of itbout twenty and immorality. The recruits are Brothers, whose sons and son-in-
exciting, amusing, to draw the
the Ohio lodges.
Gerechter, Zerdorf, Grossman,
At a constitutional contention years from the time the Lodge uttered no glittering rewards. law are now active and loyal
people. Call it what you wilt,
of the Order, the division of Dis- was instituted, and the original Ours is a service of love, duty members of Pisgah, was reported were with us.
but present something that will
Today we have on our list the
trict Grand Lodge No. 2 was members reached all advanced and sacrifice."
appeal to the head or heart or
sick. All of the Committee visit-
venerable Rabbi \Vintner of New
Open Meetings?
proposed. But as at least 1,000 age and became less active,
even palate or all combined. The
ed regularly, with the exception
Quite a few members of Pisgah of one, and this one made a false York, formerly of Congregation tastes and inclinations in all of
members were required to form younger Men were added to the
Beth
El,
and
Rabbis
Franklin,
a new Grand Lodge and the membership and their activities Lodge have for years favored the report.
us differ and instead of having
Hershman and Mayerberg, all of
Northwestern Territory had in- in the affairs of the Lodge and annulment of the provision in
Charges were preferred against whom are even willing to sup- a sameness that tends to become
the Constitution of the Order, re-
sufficient members, the state of Order increased.
this derelict member, a trial un- port and aid it by word and deed. monotonous and tiresome, a cer-
Michigan was ceded and District
Weekly meetings, every Sun- quiring lodges to meet within der the laws was held and after
tain variety of attractions must
Grand Lodge No. 6 was formed. day evening, were largely at- closed doors and observing secre- one of the most exciting episodes They are always accorded a be presented. Debates, discus-
fraternal reception and in the
tended. Social sessions, literary cy- of everything that is done.
in the annals of the Lodge the event they elect to address the sions, lectures, music, benevolent
Whenever this matter came be-
1868 to 1919. and musical evenings were in-
accused was found guilty, as lodge or participate in the de- acts, will give zest to a meeting
Thereby Pisgah Lodge became augurated. Debates and lectures fore the national body the repre-
and when members arc satisfied
charged.
a part of No. 6 and has remained were introduced. With these
bate, gratification is evident.
sentative from Pisgah voted for
that "something is doing" regu-
The
tnembership
was
so
in-
For the last ten years the larly they come again and again.
so until this day. features added to the prescribed open meetings and abandonment
At that time many of our ritualistic business and benevo- of the little that remains un- censed at the offending member's Lodge has almost lain dormant. and the Lodge gradually and
members strenuously objected. lent activities, the Lodge grew known to the world of the Or- action that had not the prosecu- Only spasmodically has it shown finally becomes a well-attended
tion counseled leniency, expul- sparks of life and survival to old
These objections were filially in membership as never before. der's doings.
meeting place.
sion from the Order would have traditions. The cause may not
overcome not without the loss There was a forceful endeavor
The six degrees that were
Still something is lacking to
of some of the most prominent to enhance the ethical welfare of formerly required before an in- followed. Instead a fine was im- be hard to find.
give permanence to well-attend-
To go into detail would revive ed gatherings of the Lodge
members. all and to do good whenever itiate would be a full member posed which, owing to the well-
Thc dissatisfaction arising was and wherever possible.
known financial embarrassment in the writer of this article sor-
were reduced to three degrees.
variety. Every respectable hu-
mainly due to the endowment
With numerical increase of the These were compressed and sim- of the member, was a severe pun- rowful thoughts. He is probably man being, especially the Jew,
as much to blame as others, and craves for social intercourse of
plan, made into law by this and lodge's roster, the finances im- plified into one. Regalias and ishment.
other districts of the Order.
proved to an extent that any ap- mummery were discarded years These facts, which are in great- if so, because he believed that the free, unrestrained, yet order-
"Is a compulsory insurance peal for assistance was readily ago. In fact, these have no place er detail parts of the records of after almost forty years of con- ly kind. For years very many
system benevolence?" it 'teas and liberally Answered. The cry , in an institution the purpose of the Lodge, are here cited to show stant service, the younger men experienced Fraternity men, in-
asked. "And if so, why' should of help, from Jew or non-Jew,
which is social, intellectual, and the strict adherence to law in ought to assume the duties and cluding the writer, insisted that
we be compelled to pay for and received succor.
caring for a brother in "sickness receive the honors that go with lodges, to be successfully con- •
moral betterment of our co-re-
to accept what we do not want?
and distress."
duty well performed.
I'isgalt
Lodge
became
the
ban-
e
reby
of
all
hu-
ducted with good attendance
ligionists and th-
We didn't ask for material ben-
Broad Faith.
ner Lodge of the district, and manity.
maintained, must include so-
A
New
Era.
efits, but only to do good ,And was renowned for its progres-
When speaking of organiza-
Let us give here a copy of
A juncture has now been ciability as a premanent feature.
to help others," declared the dis-
sive spirit within and without the Preamble of the Constitution tions, whose members are ex- reached—a milestone as it were In other words a social club
senting brethren. the jurisdiction of its Grand of the Order. We are quite sure clusively Jews, it would be in
in the recital of the "history of must be all addition to a lodge,
Their ,
reasoning was sound, as Lodge. Every young man of that not a single 13'nai Brith order to inquire what part the
the club so well managed and
Pisgah Lodge."
subsequent results have proved. standing was pleased to make
member will object to its publi- rabbinate had taken in its delib- • Our amended laws provided conducted that its membership
They were imbued with lofty application for membership, and cation—but all will say "Amen!" eration and welfare. All must
conceptions of the Order's prin-
that we hold semi-monthly ses- are glad to give it due support
deemed it an honor and a dis- when not only Jew but also Gen- concede that our Fraternity by
sions. Occasionally a quorum— and assure its maintenance and
ciples. What but a few then tinction to serve as an officer, tile will know what the "Sons of concerted efforts is accomplish-
seven members—arrived at in- stability.
maintained, was adopted by all and especially to be chosen as a the Covenant" proclaim as their ing what an individual cannot
B'nai Brith Club.
of the membership; that the ad-
tervals to transact the most im-
delegate to the conventions of tenets:
Pisgah Lodge has admirably
undertake to do and probably portant business. The very soul
dition of all endowment plan the Order.
"The Independent Order of would not. A rabbi as a rule is seemed to have gone out of the succeeded in organizing a club
was a great mistake. Unwise
Pisgah Lodge of old, extend-
nal Brith has taken upon it- able to exert his influence over mce prosperous, proud and active in connection with the Lodge.
the new law may have been in ing to the year up to 1906, was
The Club is distinct and sepa-
self the mission of uniting Is- the members of his Congregation body. No appeals, no persua-
general, but much good resulted indeed a distinctive factor of
raelites in the work of promot- of either Reformed or Orthodox sion, no threats seemed to have rate from the Lodge in its man-
to many poor widows and or-
ing their highest interests and tendency, and these restrictions any effect upon the remaining agement, yet only members of
phans, who had lost•their natur- all B'nai Brithdom stood for. In
recognition of this high honiirs
those of humanity; of develop- we know are closely drawn.
members to induce them to at- the Lodge may become mem-
al protectors and breadwinners. were bestowed upon several of
bers of the Club. From a mere
ing and elevating the mental
Our Order, not recognizing the tend meetings regularly.
Benevolence.
the members, especially Broth-
skeleton the Lodge has become
and moral character of the peo- distinction of form in our relig-
But
a
few
of
the
loyal
guard
From the material to the al- ers Adolph Freund and Bernard
ple of our faith; of inculcating ion, permits the Lodge room to persisted in saying, "Pisgah a robust body.
truistic was but a st - sp in the Ginsburg, each of whom were
As previously stated, the week-
the purest principles of philan- be a meeting place for all alike, Lodge will never die." And she
aspirations of the wise. elected to the presidency of the
thropy, honor and patriotism; and it is here the Rabbi can wield did not die. Her pulse throbs ly sessions are as well, if not
The founding of a "Home" District Grand Lodge.
of supporting science and art, a power for good, in diversified like that of a strong, healthy better, attended than in the
for the care of the dependent
As a matter of history, it
alleviating the w ants of the directions which his pulpit will and normal being, performing palmiest clays of the Lodge,
orphan was realized about the should be chronicled that the
poor and needy, visiting and not permit.
every intensive function. She 50 or 60 years ago.
time when the severance of abrogation of the endowment
The quarters, though ample
attending the sick; cooling to The founders of the Order of lives and breathes and thrives.
the division of District Grand law, a law adopted by each of
the rescue of victims of perse- B'nai Brith gave expression to
And yet it could not be said ordinarily, have already become
Lodge No. 2 into three, No, 2, the seven districts of the Order
cution, providing for, protect- the resolution that Orthodox or that the Lodge stood for noth- too small to accommodate the at-
No. 6, and No. 7. became ef- in the United States, was con-
ing and assisting the widow Reformed convictions of mem- ing that gave it a right to re- tending membership. The breth-
fective through the formal ac- ceived and originally introduced
and orphan on the broadest bers cannot be recognized.
tain its charter. Let us not for- ren have become enthusiastic. A
tion of the Constitutional Grand by a member of Pisgah Lodge.
principles of humanity."
Brother Isaac M. Wise, of get that though the meetings genuine ambition is prevalent to
Lodge.
Insurance Tested.
sainted memory, the great pro- were not well attended, or though "work and to watch."
Mutual Aid.
The chairman of the Anti-
No Lodge was more zealous This insurance system, wlito
This is what the membership moter and leader of American even a quorum could not be re-
to establish and to maintain an first engrafted in the laws of
Reformed Judaism, had to assent lied upon regularly, yet the Defamfition League, while ever
admonished
to
preach
and
to
institution for the care and ed-
the Grand Lodges, gave prom-
reluctantly to this excellent prin- brethren were like the "Minute on the alert to combat "Rishas,"
ucation of orphans than Pisgah ise of largely augmenting the practice. There should certainly
be no fault found by anyone if ciple when he sought endorse- Men," ready to answer the call is tireless in fighting, where per-
Lodge. The cause also was membership, mainly because the we diffuse and promulgate every- ment and support by the Order if emergencies arose.
secution is ineffective, the tra-
loyally supported by men and cost was very low the first few where these precepts, and ask in founding the Hebrew Union
They were at their post and ducer of the name and the re-
women not affiliated with the years. But it became apparent all the world to follow in the College. The splendid work he ward the cry of distress, whether ligion of the Jew.
Order. to some, including the writer of footsteps of our acts.
The Propaganda Committee
had done personally in behalf of coming from our own or foreign
It was a rally for a cause that these lines, that the material
has
been instilled with life and
the
Order,
he
filling
the
office
of
lands,
whether
from
the
Jew
or
It was forever one of the fun-
appealed to all. In 1868, the benefits growing out of the in- damental laws of the Order to Grand Nassi Ave in the District, non-Jew. Contributions were is active.
Jewish Orphan Asylum, located surance feature became detri-
The Membership Committee is
assist a brother and his family would have justified any conces- readily and liberally made by
as now, at Cleveland, was dedi-
cated to philanthropy and hu- mental to the Order's aims and in sickness and distress. For sion to him on the part of his as- Pisgah Lodge towards every doing wonders and individual
purposes.
very many years Pisgah Lodge sociates. But to endorse the re- cause. The pogroms in Russia brethren are spurred with a fer-
manity.
This is not the place to state had a sick benefit law, which pro- ligious Reform movement would and Galicia, devastating floods, vor to procure new members.
Then the members of Pisgah the objections to assessment in- vided that a member, if depried have - antagonized the Orthodox conflagration, famine, disease
When our Grand Lodge Of- .
Lodge and their co-workers surance, particularly for an Or- of his daily vocation due to sick- brethren to an irreparable extent. through which humanity suf- ficers were with us on the 19th,
were happy that their contribu-
der like the B'nai Brith. But it
Rabbi Wise's disciples—the fered, required no second appeal we felt happy to present them a
tions to the successful beginning may be said that through the in- ness, would receive five dollars
class of over 300 new candidates
younger
Reformed rabbis—ack- to elicit prompt succor.
of the grand charity were des-
weekly and in addition such
itiative and by the persistence of
Nor did we stand idle when for the Order. It was a gala
tined to fulfill the fondest hopes a member of Pisgah Lodge, all other financial help as circum- nowledged the wisdom of keep-
ing the Lodges and the Syna- the good name of the Jew was day not only for the rejuvenated
stances would warrant.
of its promoters. the leaders and rank and file of
However, those members who gogues separate in respect to wantonly attacked. Our Anti- "Old Pisgah," for the "Old
Pisgah
Lodge
from then
made
annual
collections,
and on
ar- the organization assisted in elim- were not in need of such bene- Jewish doctrinal divisions. This Defamation Committee practical- Guard" that stood through stress
inating the obligatory insurance
ranged balls and picnics for the feature from the statute books. fits declined to accept the prof- had a most salutary effect when ly stopped the ridicule and abuse and storm for the local branch
benefit of the institution, in ad-
fered money. Due to this fact some zealous Zionists attempted of the Jew on the stage, as well of the Order, loyally and bravely,
And now they unanimously ad-
but no less for the Jewry of our
dition to paying $2 a year for
the Lodge accumulated a con- to obtain official endorsement as in the newspapers.
We have arisen from our good city.
siderable cash balance, and was from Districts and Lodges. The
Present Leaders.
enabled to do much good in B'nai Brith Lodge is the central ashes, as the resurrection of Pis-
Reaching the close of the
gah Lodge may be termed. Viril-
body
around
which
all
Jews,
Or-
many
ways.
Hai
One noteworthy provision of thodox, and Reformed, through- ity has transplanted impotency. sketch, it is in order to give the
Joseph Alexander
Isaac Goldberg
Not with bowed heads need we
Continued On Page Sta.)
the laws was the requirement out the world, may rally.
S. E. Sallan

gorth and Southwest of the every member of the Lodge, as
United States and extended its required by law.
Brother Simon I eavenrich
jurisdiction from the Great
was one of the first Directors of
Lakes to the Gulf of Mexico.
the Asylum and later Trustee
In 1868
important
change
(chosen
by the Grand Lodge)
took
place. an
Previous
to this
the until
his death.

This Page Contributed to the Welfare of the
Brith by
B

Morris Weiss