Lodges

Fraternal lodges were established in North America well before the establishment of the United States. These organizations originally attracted the wealthier and higher social ranks of society and many operated in secrecy. As time progressed professionals as well as artisans and skilled workers joined their ranks. The lodges evolved into social clubs which focused on the members’ professions, religion, patriotism, and charities. Our Jewish communities created their own lodges. Below are selected archived photos of some of these lodges.

Veritans Lodge, Paterson NJ, Sam Zakim, Moe Mandelson, Moe Mandelkorn, Sol Bender, David Bender, Mickey Aronowitz — Unknown lodge group installation of officers at Casino de Charles, 1948. Pictured somewhere is the social chairman Moe Mandelson. Sam Zakim is standing 6th from the left. Can anyone help Identify the rest of these members?

Passaic Masonic Lodge, Passaic NJ, Samuel Rachles, Dr. Fred Slaff, Samuel Glass, Morris Effron, Henry Rosenberg, Bernard Saltzman, Nathan Chanin, Sam Pashman, Harry Kaplan, Herman Brussel, Morris Berger, Samuel Pashman, Daniel Rachles — Passaic Masonic Lodge. Date unknown. First row L-r are Samuel Rachles, Dr. Fred Slaff, Samuel Glass (standing), Morris Effron, and Henry Rosenberg. Standing L-r are Bernard Saltzman, Nathan Chanin, Sam Pashman, ?, Harry Kaplan, Herman Brussel, Morris Berger, Samuel Pashman and Daniel Rachles.

Passaic Masonic Lodge, Passaic NJ, Equity Lodge #257, Bernard Greenberg, Benjamin, Friedman — Passaic Masonic Lodge (Equity Lodge #257). Date unknown. Seated L-r are Louis Hirschfield, Samuel Glass, Joseph Edelman, Irving Weisel, Henry Rosenberg, and Leo Zurier. Standing from L-r are Reuben Kern, Morris Fradkin, Ronald Ruby, Barry Braunstein, Maurice Roth, Benjamin Friedman, and Bernard Greenberg.

Silver Link Rebekah Lodge of Passaic, Passaic NJ, Reba Heyman, Billie Levine, Evelyn Levine — Silver Link Rebekah Lodge of Passaic. Date unknown. Back row L-r are Nettie Rudd, Mae Dornstrich, Edna Rater Cohen, Esther Morser, Sether Auerham, Mrs. Weininger, Rose Salton, ?, Becky Rrint, ?. Front row L-r are Augusta Steinberg, Mollie Goldberg, Pauline Piekarsky, Sophie Dickerman, Reba Heyman, Billie Levine, and Evelyn Levine.

Paterson Silk City Lodge, Paterson NJ, Kluger, Philip Metz, Abram Wolf. — Paterson Silk City Lodge. Date unknown. 1st row 5th from left is ? Kluger, 2nd row 5th from left is Philip Metz.