‘Rocket debris damages GL of Israel building’

    

The view of the neighborhood from a window in the Grand Lodge building after a rocket strike Monday night in Bnei Brak, Israel.

The office building wherein the headquarters of the Grand Lodge of Israel is located in a Tel Aviv suburb was damaged Monday, according to the Grand Lodge’s social media. No injuries inside were mentioned, but The Times of Israel and others have said five people outdoors were hurt, one seriously.

One of the shattered windows.

The Israeli government said the projectile had been launched from inside Lebanon. The damage to the Vita building, on Ben Gurion Street, was said to be shattered windows and breakage to ceilings, as depicted in these photographs shared by the Grand Lodge.

Firefighters respond to the Grand Lodge premises inside a commercial property.

“Barukh HaShem,” as the faithful say in prayer when things could be worse.

Cube-shaped shrapnel from the rocket.
These are familiar sights in Israel lately.
     

‘Grand Lodge of Israel to host open discussion on the war’

    

The Grand Lodge of Israel invites us to a Zoom meeting for information on Hamas and the war with Israel it started October 7. From the publicity:

The Grand Master, the MW Ilan Segev, and all the brethren of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel invite you to a conference on December 28. 

The events of October 7 were dramatic! You are invited to hear what really happened with a complete analytical approach, all in the defense of freedom of expression and thought, and the understanding of differing cultures.

The main speaker will be Dr. Edy Cohen, Ph.D., a researcher, consultant, intelligence analyst, and Arabic media analyst from the Begin-Sadat Center for Strategic Studies at Bar-Ilan University. He was born in Beirut and lived there more than thirty years. The history and culture are well instilled in him. This talk and his analysis will not be political.

You are all welcome to participate in the discussion. The lecture is open to an open audience interested in learning the truth.

Join this Zoom meeting here.

Meeting ID: 763 778 5246

Passcode: 001

That will be 2 p.m. Eastern.

That’s it for me for 2023. I wish you all a Happy New Year, and thank you for reading The Magpie Mason. (There’s no way there would have been 200 posts without you reading them.) See you next year.

     

‘Israel: The absolute importance of Freemasonry and its teachings’

    

Grand Lodge received follow-up correspondence Wednesday from the Grand Lodge of Israel. Excerpted:

Firstly, we thank those who have kindly donated to this cause. Your solidarity and deep concern for the humanitarian situation is welcome.

We need not tell you of the absolute barbarism to the lowest levels that man can reach. The situation in Israel and the Middle East is tense. Today, more than ever, we see the absolute importance of Freemasonry and its teachings. Here, the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel, in its small way, sheds a beam of light that touches the hearts and minds of those who truly believe in harmony, peace, and tolerance. Our prayers are that this beam of light will penetrate within our people and to our neighbors!

Since our last letter, the humanitarian situation has been very difficult, with so many citizens evacuating their homes in the south and the north. The uncertainty, different schools, businesses, and offices closed. The outpouring of help and volunteerism in Israel has been beyond all expectations!

The Grand Lodge of the State of Israel has set up a separate charity fund for the Humanitarian War Effort 2023. Brethren in Israel and abroad are generously donating whatever they can. Our aim is to donate a fully equipped ambulance and/or motorcycle(s) that are the first responders to the scene of any call, where they assess the situation and notify the ambulance on the way. Both are extremely important. Unfortunately, there are never enough.

Once again, we thank you for your brotherhood and concern.

Yours, sincerely and fraternally,

Ilan Segev, Grand Master

Jose Cohen, Grand Secretary 

Click here to donate directly to the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel.

     

‘Direct aid to Israeli Masons’

    

Grand Lodge received a communique from the Grand Lodge of Israel yesterday that provides a way for Freemasons to donate funds to help, aid, and assist the brethren in Israel as they and their families cope with both the attack of October 7 and with logistical realities of a nation at war.

Today is the seventieth anniversary of the founding of the Grand Lodge of Israel, but I don’t imagine there was celebration. From this new letter and from the previous message from their Grand Master, we know Masons are distressed directly by the terrorist assault.

I believe New York Masons ought to work with our Masonic Brotherhood Fund (see here), but Masons outside the Grand Lodge of New York can give directly to the Grand Lodge of Israel. From the letter:

The horror stories are beyond belief, how a ‘human being’ can reach to such depths is incomprehensible. The documented acts of barbarity are too gruesome to begin to describe. Our hearts and prayers go out to those hostages, and their families, who are undoubtedly going through living hell! Coupled with this, there are stories of incredible heroism, of soldiers off duty, of citizens young and old—truly indicative of the spirit that prevails. The enemy will never break our spirit!

Whatever the faults may have been and however the nation was divided before this, the nation has united in a way that is totally incomprehensible, volunteering in every possible way... The Israeli Blue Craft Lodges have been amazing and are certainly playing their part in the war effort, providing meals, food, clothing, and games for the hundreds of people who were forced to flee from their homes and are staying in government sponsored housing or in private homes. They literally fled with the clothes on their backs, some, their homes burnt to nothing…tragedy after tragedy!

Special recognition should be given to Houdini Lodge, whose main purpose is to provide relief by magic shows and similar events. The brethren of this unique lodge have split into groups working seven days a week at hospitals and on Zoom to cheer up children. Masonically speaking, the Grand Lodge has allowed lodge meetings to continue by Zoom while providing lectures from the Grand Lodge twice a week to Freemasons across the country.

With all this, the list of the needs of the population never ends... The Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel is funding as many of these needs within the financial constraints they face. This is in addition to the tremendous volunteering of brethren and their families... I therefore appeal to your generosity so that we too can play our part along with our sister Israeli Craft Lodges. We have Israeli tax exemption status, but unfortunately this is not the case in other countries.

Our greatest needs are in the south of the country. People are asking what are these needs? It is not an easy question to answer as the situation is so dynamic and we don't know what will happen tomorrow and the days following. Nevertheless, I have tried to categorize the immediate needs:

1. General – there is a need to help families with their daily requisites such as medicines, toiletries, diapers, food, clothing, etc… Some of these families have been sent to the center of the country and need help. In many cases, their spouses or children have been called up to serve the country.

2. Contact – Due to the situation there is a desperate need to keep contact with their friends and loved ones… for this we need more laptop computers and tablets.

3. Meals – as mentioned above, this war which is already in its second week, will take longer. As a result, we will need to make sure that we are able to help out as much as possible.

4. Counseling – Many people require psychological assistance. In Ashkelon and the South, the sirens are non-stop, people are constantly running to their shelters and for the elderly and the disabled, it is totally impossible. This counseling will continue for some time after the war ends and we would like to help where we can!

5. Rehabilitation – As I already said, each day brings its surprises and we must be prepared for the worst. Whatever happens there are hundreds of families who have to re-establish themselves, properties, equipment, cars, days of lost income and..and..and.. Naturally, we are very grateful for any assistance which our brethren can contribute. It will go to the Grand Lodge Charity Fund and be managed by them. 

To donate now to the Charity Fund of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel [click here]… 

Unfortunately, among the casualties, there are some brethren and their families–a brother whose son was killed; a brother who survived the massacre together with his family, but whose daughter and son-in-law were taken hostage. Many of us have close family members who have been killed, wounded, missing or kidnapped. Our Past Grand Master’s grandnephew was killed. The list goes on… Israel is a small country and inevitably everyone knows of someone in distress!

     

’Segev: We will substantiate the words Freedom, Equality, and Fraternity’

    

Below: a new message from MW Ilan Segev, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Israel, dated yesterday, to the Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New York.

To support our brothers and their families in the State of Israel, Grand Lodge is grateful to receive your contributions, both large and small, as checks payable to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund earmarked for the Grand Lodge Emergency Relief Fund.

Please mail your checks directly to:

Masonic Brotherhood Fund

71 West 23rd Street

New York, NY 10010-4149

Grand Lodge ensures all funds collected will be given to the Grand Lodge of Israel to help our Israeli Brothers and their families.

My Dear Brother,

On Saturday, October 7, 2023, thousands of terrorists infiltrated the southern part of Israel and caused a barbaric mass slaughter—unprecedented in the world—while committing crimes against humanity and mankind.

Over 1,300 fatalities, with this number expected to increase; over 3,000 wounded; several hundred missing, and hundreds more abducted—babies, children, women, men, the elderly, and soldiers.

This is the blackest day in the history of the State of Israel since its establishment, some 75 years ago.

Terrible sights were discovered yesterday after searching for remaining terrorists, showing that these are not human animals (animals kill to eat)—this is pure evil, hatred of Jews. Terrorists who have lost all humanity—shooting children and their parents in the head; tying civilians up and shooting them in the limbs so they don’t run away; followed by horrific murders; rape and murder of women; cutting off heads and burning people alive who would not leave their homes, leaving a human mass of coal! Also that merciless slaughter of young people who participated in a moonlight nature party.

What can I say? A heinous murderous scene unimaginable in the human mind.

Israel was surprised by an intelligence and military failure, but very soon regained control and we are fighting for our homeland, for our lives. We have no other country. We have nowhere else. We have no choice but to win!

300,000 Israelis have enlisted in the army to defend the country, including my family and the brethren of our Order. There is no doubt that we will win!

My Brother, this is totally contrary to the principles of Freemasonry—pure evil, acts of terrorism similar to the actions of al-Qaeda and ISIS.

As we speak of principles of freedom, equality, and fraternity, we see here an unimaginable evil, an evil of a kind never seen before. On the other hand, we see the amazing heartwarming response from you and the Grand Lodges around the world, who sympathize with us in these difficult times and not only share solidarity but also express condolences for the losses that we are experiencing.

The Grand Lodge of the State of Israel brings together Christian, Muslim, Druze, and Jewish brethren who show their solidarity, warm bond, and desire to help each other. We all unite and stand together in these difficult moments.

Unfortunately, there are casualties, including some brethren and their families: a brother whose son was killed, a brother who survived the massacre together with his family but his daughter and son-in-law were taken hostage. Many of us have close family members who have been killed, wounded, missing, or kidnapped.

My Dear Brother, your letter and that of your Grand Lodge warm our hearts and show us that Freemasonry is a ray of light in the darkness, a beam of hope that shines in the terrible darkness.

You are strengthening hope and faith in man.

My brother, this is a war for freedom, a war for values.

On behalf of myself and the brethren in Israel, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and those of all the brethren of our Order for your friendship, brotherhood, concern, and caring. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Freedom, equality, and fraternity are our motto.

We will win and substantiate these words!

With sincere feelings of gratitude and brotherhood,

llan Segev

Grand Master

     

‘Grand Lodge appeal for Israel’

    

The Grand Lodge of New York appeals to its Freemasons for aid for the State of Israel via the Grand Lodge of Israel. The letter:

We at the Grand Lodge of New York are trying to do our part towards answering the call of the distressed in providing a source of much needed help to those adversely affected by these unprovoked acts of violence and war against our Ally, the good citizens of the State of Israel. These unprecedented assaults, hostage taking and aggression by Hamas and other bad actors are especially traumatic and harrowing to the population of children and the elderly residing in both the cities and countryside of Gaza and Southern Region of Israel.

Your Grand Master, Most Worshipful Richard J. Kessler, and the Grand Lodge of New York, in a strong showing of solidarity with our fellow brethren of the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel, we look to the members of our noble Craft to demonstrate their heartfelt compassion and empathy for our fellow human beings during this their hour of darkness. Together, we will emerge from this tragic and dispirited experience united with a renewed zeal for bringing back peace, harmony and brotherhood throughout the world. The essence of True Masonic Brotherhood will be a beacon of hope for all to see and emulate.

In the name of this charitable and humanitarian effort in support of our brothers and their families within the State of Israel, we are grateful to receive your contributions, both large and small, as checks payable to the Masonic Brotherhood Fund earmarked for the Grand Lodge Emergency Relief Fund. Please mail your checks directly to:

Masonic Brotherhood Fund

71 West 23rd Street

New York, NY 10010-4149

We will ensure that all funds collected will be given to the Grand Lodge of the State of Israel to be used to help our fellow Israeli Brothers and their families to become whole once again.

In anticipation of your most generous support, please accept the warmest fraternal thanks on behalf of the Grand Master, the officers and members of the Grand Lodge for your kind-spirited gift to the Grand Lodge Emergency Relief Fund. The noted humanitarian and physician, Dr. Albert Schweitzer said it best, “There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.” In memory of the many victims who are injured, maimed or have perished during this calamity, and in cohesion with their families and fellow countrymen, we gratefully bear witness to your genuine and unselfish expression of charity.

Thank you once again for your thoughtfulness and generosity for our fellow human beings during these trying times.

With kindest fraternal regards, I am sincerely,

RW Richard T. Schulz

Grand Secretary

cc: Grand Lodge of the State of Israel

     

‘Grand Lodge of Israel statement’

     

The best reproduction I can manage.

‘New grand master calls for initiating women’

    

E. Sultan photo

Grand Master Ilan Segev.

The recently installed Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Israel was quoted in that country’s most widely read newspaper saying he believes it is time for the fraternity there to begin admitting women.

MW Bro. Ilan Segev took office July 12. In a story covering his speech to the brethren published in Israel Hayom (Israel Today) on July 28, he is quoted sharing his opinions on modernizing the Craft. “The world has changed since the Grand Lodge of England was founded in 1717. In 2022, we cannot ignore that women make up half of the population, and there is a real need to examine the possibility of making a change. There is no doubt that the principles of Freemasonry speak to every person regardless of religion, race, or gender. I have a number of ideas that I will present to the grand committee of the Grand Lodge, and then we will open it up for discussion in the Order.”

An English translation of the article was posted to the newspaper’s website on August 4. The reporter, Eyal Levi, followed up with an interview and wrote of far more than the eye-grabbing talk of membership transformation. Click here to read it entirely.

“Women are not currently accepted,” the article continues, but, Segev said “it may change. I am working on it. There are lodges in France that have opened up for women already. I am thinking of a certain model, which I won’t go into details about now, but I want women to play a big role in the society. When Freemasonry was first established, women didn’t work, they stayed at home. In 2022, the world is different, and we must progress.”

“What will happen for sure I do not know, but through a process, I believe soon women will also be able to be Freemasons. I said during the ceremony, ‘Freedom, Equality, and Brotherhood. Love, Help, and Truth.’ Any knowledgeable person can except these values. That is why we will have to change the system and adjust the constitution.”

The current Grand Lodge of Israel will reach its seventieth anniversary next year. Click here for Bro. Leon Zeldin’s brief history of Freemasonry there.