Canadians Hear of I. O. B. B. Expansion

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

Alfred M. Cohen, President of the Independent Order B’nai Brith, outlined the aims and work of that Order since its inception eighty-five years ago before a large meeting of the Mount Royal Lodge 729 at the Mount Royal Hotel yesterday afternoon. Lionel J. Coviensky, president of the Montreal Lodge, presided.

Horace R. Cohen, past President of the Lodge, introduced President Cohen, who compared the I. O. B. B. to Judaism, as being old but perpetually young, old in possession of the undying verities, but young in adapting itself to changing conditions. He stressed the service to and championship of the Jewish people as the principal aims of the Order outside manifold charitable activities. “In solving Jewish problems we are making the Jew a better man and a better citizen. We are bringing our influence to bear where it may best be felt, thus contributing to the welfare of our country, whichever it may be, and mankind at large. I particularly want to speak of the Hillel Foundations which are intended to create Jewish consciousness in our future leaders and Jewish background for Jewish students.” Mr. Cohen announced that the I. O. B. B. is shortly establishing Hillel Foundations at Cornell University and the University of West Virginia. He spoke of the orphanages and hospitals, the Denver Tubercular Home and the Cleveland orphanage established by the I. O. B. B. He also praised the camp for underprivileged boys established by the Montreal lodge.

Dr. Boris D. Bogen, Executive Secretary of the I. O. B. B., who is accompanying President Cohen on his Canadian trip, in his address stressed the importance of the Order’s educational program as conductive to a better understanding of Jews by themselves and by non-Jews.

Wilfred B. Feiga of Worcester, Mass., installed the first junior B’nai Bridge Lodge in Eastern Canada at the meeting. President Cohen, Dr. Bogen and Mr. Feiga were guests of the Montreal Lodge at luncheon at the Montefiore Club.