The annual convention of District Grand Lodge No. 2 Independent Order B’nai B’rith with a membership of 12,719, represented by over 200 delegates from the States of Colorado. Wyoming. New Mexico, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri and Ohio, was called to order by the president. Isidore Feibleman of Indianapolis, Ind., at the Portage Hotel here. The invocation was delivered by Rabbi David Alexander of Akron. Addresses of welcome were made on behalf of the city by Finance Director Gallagher, and on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce by President William A. Boesche, on behalf of Akron Lodge No. 719 by N. M. Greenberger, president, and by M. M. Saslaw, chairman of the convention committee. The response to these addresses was made by Samuel I. Sievers, first vice-president of the District Grand Lodge.
In his message the president gave a comprehensive report of his stewardship and dealt with the various institutions and activities supported by the District.
Speaking on the matter of the Jewish Agency, he said, “I cannot refrain from rejoicing in the formation of the Jewish Agency uniting Zionists and non-Zionists for the upbuilding of our ancestral home land. Time was when mention of Palestine was taboo in lodge or grand lodge. But today Wider Scope funds are going to help improve housing conditions in Eretz Israel and for the School for Teachers and the Library in Jerusalem. Slowly but surely are we approaching unity in Israel.”
Referring to the building of the new Jewish Orphan Home, the President said, “Under the blazing sun of last July your officers witnessed the laying of the cornerstone of the new cottage plan orphan home of the B’nai B’rith in the outskirts of Cleveland.”
With reference to the Hillel Foundation, he expressed the hope that the day will come when these will be found in all colleges and universities attended by a large number of Jewish students. The address of the president was received with prolonged applause.
Reports of the various standing committees were presented at the afternoon session. For the Advisory Committee, Louis J. Bornstein of Indianapolis reported, the report on the President’s Committee was by Samuel I. Sievers, of St. Louis, the District Wider Scope committee by Emil Mayer, in which the fact was brought out that the District had exceeded its quota of over $400,000, the National Home for Children at Denver by Arthur F. Friedman of Denver. Both he and Mrs. J. Lorber made an appeal to the convention for support to enable to take care of the children of tubercular parents. A banquet was given to the delegates Sunday night in the ball room of the Hotel Portage.
Funeral services for the late Henry M. Goldfogle, President of the Board of Taxes and Assessments, and former justice, who died on Saturday, were held yesterday at the Central Synagogue. Dr. Stephen S. Wise of the Free Synagogue officiated. Burial was in Cypress Hills Cemetery.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
