The Arizona post., 1960-12-09
The
Letter Box
fends B'noi Births Membership Rule

Il Women
In tucson must defend the right of Bna Birth to accept
the membership of only people of the Jewish faith
who related to faith by marriage or conversion
! You know of course, refer Office column
the first page of your issue dealing ques
tion of nonJew seeking membership in Bnai Birth Hy
Haves Bnai Birth AntiDefamaton field representative
thrown this question by member of panel
local neWSpapermen Also used in this article
restrictive covenant which presumably Bnai Birth
This term believe is entirely ambiguous and one con-
slider insulting to such organization Bnai Birth ded
Gated is to the protection of the freedom of all
ties we'll Jews.
The word covenant" agreement-a good word,
but not with the strength and meaning of the word cons
tuition therefore, according to the little knowledge have
about Bnai Birth question only properly
swered by quoting the preamble to the constitution of Bnai
Birth: "Bna Birth has taken upon itself the mission
uniting Israetes in the work of promoting their highest
and elevang the mental and moral character of
the people of fah of nculcang the purest principles
of phanhrophy honor and patriotism; of supporting sci
and art aeviang the wants of the and needy
visiting and attending the Sick coming to the Of
victims of persecution providing for protecting and assist
ing the widow and orphan the broadest principles of
humanity.
The only changes in this made in 1858 by Bnai
Birth Supreme Lodge the word Israelte changed
persons Jewish faith" coming the of VIC
tins persecution" and the words assisting the aged
added. The dictionary tells Constitution is sys
of fundamental principles according to which nation,
state group governed" So that the membership in
Bnai Birth of Jews only is not just restrictive covenant
but a fundamental principle.
The constitution the Bnai Birth Order has been in
effect III years. Let remember this Jewish
ganzaton dedicated to service of all mankind regardless of
color NonJews however would not be happy
program they would find entirely much of Jew
content possibly dsastefu most of them. The
question which provoked your article coming from
Jew Jew merely provides material for good and
lively debate
THE QUESTION just well be asked of sister
club temple conservative synagogue,
the unconverted nonJeW really enjoy the
Judaic of the synagogue organizations?
is absolutely different with Bnai Birth in fact in
Bnai Birth it's Judac principles intensely carried out
both lodges and chapters, chapter holds meeting
without the lighting of the candles. Can the right of Bnai
Birth to its secarian membership in the light of its cons
tuition still be questioned honestly and unequivocay and
not from malicious intent do not believe
Thank you for the space you have allotted me.
Mrs Charles S. Kab
Indocrnaton chairman
Chapter 613 Tucson BIB Women
EDITORS NOTE: The Post Office did not question
the Jewshness Birth 1t certainly Jewish
organization Knights of Columbus Catholic You must
join BIB and Catholic to join KC Bnai Birth
has very strong right arm in its AnDeamatiOn League
which battles courageousy against bigOtry 1t has called
discrimination in business, in housing, in
education 1t has attacked the closed doors of country clubs
and resorts
Here is a Jewish organization which fights prejudice
calling nonrestrictive membership nonresrctive
every right and to Jewish
traditions part of it's organization
Yet when nonJew wants to join Bnai Birth to aid In
fight against discrimination, he finds 1t difficult to
understand why dscrimnaed against We don't want
Bnai Birth to cast aside Its jewish practceS raner we
would have intensity its Jewishness We merely point out
paradox provoke thought the most important sub
ject O future of American Judaism.
National Council Honors TUcsonons
EDITOR:
Congratulations to Mrs Sam L. Rich and Mrs. Berl
Greenberg wonderful work they doing here in
These women cocharmen of the Civil Liberties
Committee SecionNaona Council of Jewish
Women, have conducted survey the eating establish
ments in Tucson.
Their work has been endorsed by the Tucson Council
of Churchs Authorization League The Tucson Coun-
Gil of Civic Unity, and The Mayors Committee on human
have