Mailing Address:
Special Collections
College of Charleston Library
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424

Phone:
(843) 953-8016

Title: Records of B'nai B'rith, Dan Lodge Number 593

Collection #: Mss 1061

Dates: 1938-1942

Size: .375 linear ft.

Biographical Note: The oldest and largest Jewish service and fraternal organization in America, The Independent Order of B'nai B'rith was formed in the United States in 1843. Its membership included Jewish men of all political or ideological backgrounds. The organization later included women's and youth's auxiliaries. B'nai B'rith was organized into regional and local lodges. The local lodges, formed primarily around a single community, were granted autonomy over local affairs. The B'nai B'rith lodge served as a focal point for Jewish communities across the country. Dan Lodge Number 593 of the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith was organized in Charleston in 1867.

Scope and Content Note:

Collection includes Dan Lodge Number 593 member and officer rosters (1940-1942), minutes from monthly meetings (1938-1942), and correspondence (1940-1942) between officers and members. Topics covered in minutes and correspondence include fundraising and social activities, involvement with the Anti-Defamation League and Dan Lodge Number 593's participation in civilian defense and other home front efforts during World War II.

Misc. material contains two pamphlets related to local war effort programs, "War Service Fund of B'nai B'rith, Procedure for B'nai B'rith Units" (1942) and "Rallies for Victory Program Material" published by the War Service Department of B'nai B'rith (1942).

Inventory:

   

 

Box#/Folder#
         
 

A.

Membership/Officers Rosters (1940, 1942): List of officers from all Southeastern B’nai B’rith lodges(1940); list of Dan Lodge Officers, Board of Trustees and Nominating Committee (1940); list of Dan Lodge members, addresses and telephone numbers (1940); list of Dan Lodge Officer and Trustee nominations (1942)

  

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B.

Meeting Minutes (1938-1942): Includes Annual Report of Financial Secretary, 1938; also the following typed minutes:

  1. Minutes of meeting, Sept. 8, 1940:
  2. Minutes of meeting, Jan. 12, 1941:
  3. Minutes of meeting, Feb. 5, 1941:
  4. Minutes of meeting, March 23, 1941:
  5. Minutes of meeting, April 27, 1941:
  6. Minutes of meeting, Sept. 14, 1941:
  7. Minutes of meeting, Oct. 19, 1941:
  8. Minutes of meeting, Nov. 18, 1941:
  9. Minutes of meeting, Dec. 14, 1941:
  10. Minutes of meeting, Feb. 8, 1942:

All minutes contain synopsis of committee reports, financial matters, charitable contributions, volunteer projects and social events; other topics include Lodge 593’s participation in alien registration and refugee aid; work with local Aleph Zadik Aleph chapter; plans for state conference in Charleston; installation of new officers; work with Boy Scouts of America; work of the Anti-Defamation League; establishment of the Samuel D. Turtletaub Post of Jewish War Veterans; re. Jewish soldiers at Camp Jackson and participation in civilian defense and other war related activities.

  

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C.

Correspondence (1940-1942): typescripts include rough copies and final drafts; includes fundraising letters; correspondence from the president to officers; meeting announcements; letters to members who did not regularly attend meetings urging them to do so; convention and committee meeting announcements; notices of resolutions passed; announcements of speakers and matters pertaining to "Jewish Welfare"; correspondence re. Jewish activity in national defense efforts.

  

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D.

Misc.: pamphlet, "War Service Fund of B’nai B’rith, Procedure for B’nai B’rith Units" (1942); pamphlet, "Rallies for Victory Program Material" published by the War Service Department of B’nai B’rith (1942)

  

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