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July 9, 2004/Tamuz 20 5764, Vol. 56, No.42
B'nai B'rith lodges unite
SARAH DELANEY
Editorial Intern
The Herman Lewkowitz Lodge of B'nai B'rith International no longer exists. In April, it consolidated with the other local lodge, Grand Canyon B'nai B'rith, to form a larger, more active lodge.
Despite the change, things seem to be going well. Membership is up, especially with younger adults, said Dave Berger, co-president of the lodge. The lodge now has about 250 members.
On July 7, the combined lodge held its first community event since the consolidation, donating food to Vista del Camino food bank in Scottsdale. "We donated almost one ton last year and this time it's close to two," said Berger.
Senior housing is another project underway for the group. The lodge is researching subsidized senior housing through HUD (U.S. Housing and Urban Development), explained Berger.
One of the main reasons the lodges consolidated was to increase the level of activity in the community and the strength of the group. "What it does is take that chapter of paid members and keeps it going. They were running out of steam," said Steve Nevins, co-president. "We were basically looking...to take the strengths of the two (lodges) and put them together," Berger explained.
Through all the changes, the main focus of the group continues to be community service.
"This community service stuff is worth it; it's the basis for what we do," said Nevins. "It doesn't really matter whether we help out in the Jewish or non-Jewish community. (This is) what B'nai B'rith is all about."
For more information, call Dave Berger, 480-483-1682 or Steve Nevins, 480-596-0600.
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