This Lodge was established on 15th May 1950 and its first President was Fédia Cassin.
Particular mention should be made of Dr René Wolf, who is one of the initial founding members, and left his mark on the Lodge.
In his memory, the Lodge created the Bourse de la Vocation (Doctor René Wolf prize), awarded each year to an as yet unknown, but promising author. Manuscripts are presented to a committee made up of Lodge members, and the Price is awarded each year by Dr René Wolf's daughter, Sister Francine Coen.
Emile Zola was born in Paris in 1840. When he was 7 years old, he lost his father, an engineer, placing his family in financial difficulties.
His mother decided to move to Paris and there he discovered bohemian life, leading him to say famously, "To be poor in Paris is to be poor twice over". After failing his baccalauréat, he first worked in publishing, then as a literary commentator, which then led him to become a socially-aware author.
As the author of Germinal, Zola actively promoted realism, and what became known as naturalism.
Emile Zola created a vast life's work. His profile was further raised when he intervened in the Dreyfus affair with his famous "J’accuse" letter to the President of the Republic, published in the Aurore on 11th January 1898.
As a result, he was sent into exile and fined, before returning to France, where he died of suffocation in a mysterious accident 3 years later, aged 62.
Activities of the Emile Zola Lodge:
Involved in rebuilding the Marseilles' Jewish community after the war.
Actively involved in clearing up the Finaly Affair.
Contributed to purchasing the Edmond Fleg Centre.
Supported people repatriated from North Africa.
On-going financial support over several years to an Ethiopian family, via the Gamson Lodge in Jerusalem.
The "Café littéraire" an interlodge annual cultural event to support a charitable cause.
Involved in the "Rayon de soleil" campaign, hosting 18 young Israelis, whose families were victims of terrorism, association with the Boneï Israel Lodge (Raphy Barel).
