Founded on 8th January 1888, the B’nai B’rith Frankfurt Schönstädt Lodge celebrated its 120th Anniversary this year. Due to organizational reasons the celebration took place this year and not in 2008...

More than 60 guests from all over Europe came to celebrate this historic event with our sisters and brothers of the Frankfurt Lodge. Among them were the President of B’nai B’rith Europe Graham Weinberg and his wife Eve, Vice President of BBE and Senior Vice President of BBI Yves-Victor Kamami and his wife Corinne.

Honorary Life Presidents of BBE Chief Rabbi of Denmark Bent Melchior, David Levy- Bentolila and Joseph Domberger, who was also the guest of honour and Honorary Life Senior Vice President of BBE Armand Azoulai.Honorary President of BBI Moishe Smith and Executive Senior Vice President Dan Mariaschin also attended.

From our sister lodges, the Tolerancia Lodge from Bratislava was represented by a large delegation and from the Dr. Moses Rosen Lodge of Bucharest the President Jose Jacubescu attended together with his wife; from France Andre Nadjar, President of BB-France and Francine Coen, Vice President of BBF for the South of France came.   The President of BBUK, Michael Kudlick and his wife, Vice-President of BBUK Jean Etherton and her husband Tony Etherton Treasurer of BBUK and John and Maureen Reeves. John is Chair for the Youth Forum that would not be what it is without him – a great success. He is putting in so much work to it. The Frankfurt Schoenstadt Lodge was the first co –hosting lodge of the Forum in 2007. We want to express our deepest appreciation to John for continuing this great event – the BBE Young Adult Forum.
Representative of the City of Frankfurt, Lady Mayoress Jutta Ebeling attended the Gala and Assaf Ichilewich, political adviser to the Ambassador of the State of Israel to Germany also conveyed greetings.

On Friday, 18th December the celebration started with the lightning of the 8th and last Chanukah candle. Chief Rabbi Bent Melchior led the ceremony.
Friday night service took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Frankfurt followed by a homely Kabbalat Shabbat Dinner. On this occasion Chief Rabbi Bent Melchior spoke about his long association with the Frankfurt Lodge. The atmosphere was very “heimisch” and our guests from abroad enjoyed the wonderful kosher food. 

On Saturday the service took place in the beautiful main Synagogue of Frankfurt.
The Chief Rabbi of Frankfurt, Menahem Halevi Klein spoke about the important meaning in the words “B’nai B’rith” and pointed out the significant role, the local lodge has played in communal life before the 2nd World War and now.

The service was followed by a festive Kiddush, sponsored by our brother Dan Sommer, Mentor of the Frankfurt Schönstädt Lodge and his wife Sister Jenny Sommer.

On Saturday afternoon the very moving closed Lodge meeting with the installation of 14 new sisters and brothers took place at the Intercontinental Hotel in Frankfurt. President Ralph Hofmann spoke about the history of the Frankfurt Schönstädt Lodge and the close association with the city of Frankfurt before the 2nd World War, He pointed out the importance of supporting the youth. Following this idea the Frankfurt Schönstädt Lodge with the support of our brother Genia Singer has been very successful during the last years in this field. 

President Ralph Hofmann also mentioned the important role Rabbi Leo Beck, President of the German District (8th District) from 1924-1937 played for BB in Germany and for BB in Europe after 1945. Without his dedicated work for BB it would never have been possible to create in 1955 the 19th District of BB in Basel.

During the meeting 14 new members were installed and the candles of the Menorah were lit in a moving ceremony.
After the closed lodge session the festive Gala Dinner commenced which was also held at the Intercontinental Hotel.

Yacov Kopel and his band from Berlin contributed to the wonderful and joyful atmosphere. Honorary Life President of BBE Joseph Domberger was the keynote speaker of the event. The topic of his address was: “Remembering the Past to build the Future”.  He talked about the achievements of the Frankfurt Lodge before the War and the situation after the War until today.

The celebration ended late at night. The guests were dancing until 2.00am and were full with joy and happiness.

Our special thanks are due to the organizing committee: Brother Kurt de Jong, Sisters Vera de Jong, Esther Ellrodt-Freiman, Irina Rosensaft, Sophie Lewinson and Simone Hofmann and to our Secretary Ina Boguslavski.

Without their devoted work and enthusiasm it would not have been possible to organize this event throughout the weekend.