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Brotherhood Eddie-Jacobson Lodge was established in 1959. The original name was Livonia Lodge, B’nai B’rith. One of the founding members was our own Floyd Bornstein. In 1961, Nate Fine joined the Lodge, and went on to become one of our longest tenured, and most valuable members. Through Nate, Mark Klinger joined the lodge in 1962 after coming out of the service, and to this day still works hard for the Bowling League. When Nate joined in 1961, the league consisted of about 18, 5-man teams and they bowled at Merri-Bowl, in Livonia. The Brotherhood name came about as a suggestion to welcome members from other locations. Frank Kozin, another longtime member, and past bowler, was responsible for the name. The Eddie Jacobson Lodge from the east side of Detroit, asked to merged with Brotherhood Lodge, and thus the name we still have today. Leon Sears and a fellow named Kinzler were instrumental in the merger.
As like today, the lodge mainly existed because of the Bowling league, but in the mid 60’s the numbers rapidly declined, as people moved away. Nate Fine, one of our noted historians recalls that in 1966, one of the activities that re-charged the lodge was the opportunity to sponsor the opening night of the movie “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf”. Shortly after, Nate became President of the Lodge, and his valuable service continued for the next 40 years! Mark Klinger, including years of being BEJ League Secretary became the International B’nai B’rith Bowling Association Tournament Director in 1978. He then became the IBBBBA President in 1985. Mark later became the Tournament Director again, and his service in that capacity is still looked upon as trend-setting and second to none. Today, the Lodge is “head-quartered” in West Bloomfield, but has members all over the Metro Detroit Area. Ron Malach is our acting President, Jeff Berlin is our Treasurer, and Gary Klinger runs the Bowling League. Gary is also the Secretary for the B’nai B’rith Softball and Basketball Leagues.
The lodge is named after Eddie Jacobson, who was a longtime member of B’nai B’rith in Kansas City. Jacobson, who served as a sergeant under Harry S. Truman in World War I, was paramount in setting up a meeting with President Truman, and the Chairman of the Jewish Zionist Organization, Dr. Chaim Weizman. (see article below) In a 1965 telegram at the B’nai B’rith Convention in Israel, President Truman said “it is a fact of history that Eddie Jacobson’s contribution was of decisive importance” regarding the establishment of the State of Israel.
Today, Brotherhood Eddie Jacobson lodge is mostly sports oriented. Our softball, Basketball and Bowling Leagues continue to thrive, as we hope for future growth. Almost 50 years later, Brotherhood Eddie Jacobson Lodge is alive and well.
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