The Jewish community of the time and seeing it divided by often quite ridiculous acrimony between different groups. The divisions were deep and often bitter, to the extent that if a boy from a family from Bialyostock married a girl from a family hailing from Krakow, both sets of parents sat Shiva, declaring that they no longer had children.

The small band of visionary men saw a desperate need for a body that would unify all Jews, irrespective of ethnic origin, social or religious status.  New York Lodge No.1 had its inaugural meeting on October 13, 1843.

They adopted a Preamble, still used today, to set out and define the wide ranging and all embracing objects of the organisation.

B’nai B’rith has taken upon itself the mission of uniting people of Jewish faith in the work of promoting their highest interests and those of humanity;  of developing and elevating the mental and moral character of the people of our faith; of inculcating the purest principles of philanthropy, honour and patriotism; of supporting science and art, visiting and attending the sick; coming to the rescue of victims of persecution; providing for, protecting and assisting the aged, widows and orphans on the broadest principles of humanity.

While this preamble has been retained to the present day, B’nai B’rith also demonstrated its commitment to the changing needs of the Jewish world and the scope of its platform, when pledging our support for the State of Israel  was added in 1947.

Lodges soon started to be formed across America.  As the concept of an organisation uniting all Jews became accepted. By the 1870 B’nai B’rith was represented in most US centres. Four decades after its foundation, B’nai B’rith,  now strong and active in the United States, crossed the Atlantic and in 1880 the first Lodge was established in Berlin, Germany. The idea soon spread to other German cities and across Europe,  with the exception of Russia, and later the Soviet Union, where the Order flourished and attracted Jews from all religious shadings and walks of life. It became a strong and vibrant organisation.

B’nai B’rith proliferated throughout Europe, with most countries with a Jewish population seeing B’nai B’rith Lodges established. The advent of Nazi Germany, and later World War II led to B’nai B’rith being disbanded by  Nazi decrees, their property confiscated, with many of its members perishing in the Holocaust.

A handful of mainly German, Austrian and other European Jews who managed to settle in Australia, transplanted B’nai B’rith to “Down Under”, with the first Lodge established in Sydney in 1944, and in Melbourne in 1945. Several other Lodges followed in both cities, as well as Women’s Chapters.  For the first century of B’nai B’rith’s existence, it was very much a male orientated organisation, with women playing a minor, but not officially recognised role.