HEBREW ORDER OF DAVID INTERNATIONAL

The Hebrew Order of David International is an offshoot of a Jewish brotherhood that originate the United Kingdom in 1896 as the Hebrew Order of Druids.
In 1904 the pioneers of the Order under the leadership of Wor Bro Joseph Distiller formed a branch of the Hebrew Order of Druids in Johannesburg, South Africa. This was soon after the conclusion of the South African War (1899 - 1902).

This period witnessed a general re-organisation of Jewish life in South Africa as the many hundreds of newly arrived Jews, who had emigrated from Eastern Europe, sought to improve their economic position and generally to re-adjust themselves in strange and none too friendly surroundings.

Wor Bro Joseph Distiller had, himself, emigrated to South Africa from London shortly after the close of the South African War. He was an ardent and enthusiastic worker for the Order throughout his life, and was known as a determined, constructive and good hearted man.

Among Wor Bro Distillers closest collaborators in the establishment of the Order was Wor Bro Louis Faiga. He was connected with establishment of the first lodge, the Dr Herzl Lodge, in Johannesburg.

A second lodge, named after the Hon Max Langermann MLC, one of the most distinguished Jews in South Africa of his generation, was established in Germiston in the Transvaal by four prominent officials of the Dr Herzl Lodge, Bros J Distiller, L Faiga, S Lowenberg and A Gabbaholz. On The 21st April 1907, prior to the consecration of the new Lodge, 45 new candidates were initiated by members of the Dr Herzl Lodge.

The London Jewish Chronicle of the 5th January, 1907 reported the establishment of a lodge in Krugersdorp, also in the Transvaal. The Krugersdorp Lodge was later renamed as the David Ben Gurion Lodge after it was reconsecrated in 1948.
In 1910 the South African organisation broke away from its English counterpart, and it was not long after this the Grand Lodge was formed as a body to oversee all the lodges.

One important matter that engaged the attention of members in the early days was the name of the Order. The first body to take action towards changing the name from the Order from the Hebrew Order of Druids to the Hebrew Order of David, was the Max Langermann Lodge. At a special meeting held in 1915 that Lodge unanimously adopted the following resolution:-
The Lodge adopted in principle the advisability of the Order being changed to a name more suitable and characteristic of the personnel and objects of the Order, and that our Grand Lodge delegate be specially instructed to urge upon Grand Lodge the necessity of such a change being made.
On 16 November 1919, a general meeting was held at Germiston to which a delegation from Grand Lodge consisting of the Grand President, Deputy Grand President and Wor Bro Joseph Distiller were invited to express their dissenting views. A vote was taken and out of 79 brethren present 75 were in favour of the change. Since 1919 the organisation has been known as the Hebrew Order of David.
A first Conference was held in Johannesburg in 1924. It was presided over by the Grand President, Wor Bro Joseph Distiller and was attended by 80 delegates. One of the resolutions passed was that the Order should start a building fund for the purpose of erecting a hall in Johannesburg to meet its needs.

Many lodges were established over the years throughout the then Union of South Africa. In addition to carrying out the role of a friendly society for which the Order had been founded, it has always also encouraged social activity among its members, chiefly through the medium of sport and holding of social and cultural functions.
The 1960s witnessed a great deal of heart searching to find a real purpose for the Hebrew Order of David. More rigorous legislation regarding insurance funds meant that the Order could no longer operate as it had as a friendly society It was felt that the acquisition of a Home for the Order would add to its prestige and prove to be a rallying factor for the Order.

Many felt that the Order should shoulder the ideals of Judaism and to further greater knowledge of our faith amongst our brethren. Many brethren were among the unaffiliated and belonged neither to the Orthodox or Reform movements, but sought some form of affiliation with Jews through the Hebrew Order of David.

The political unrest that manifested itself in South Africa in the 1960 instigated the phenomenon of Jewish emigration from that country which was over the next 40 years to have a negative impact on the Order as well as similar community based organisations.

In 1965 a National project in which all Lodges of the Order would participate was established. As a result it was decided to acquire a home for the Order as a No. 1 priority.

In 1968 premises were viewed at a property in Orchards, Johannesburg. The premises had been the Italian Bowling Club and in a short space of time the property was purchased. The acquisition was funded by monies raised by all the Lodges and individual brethren through the HOD Building Fund Drive. The foundation stones were laid on the 24th June 1973 and the HOD complex was officially opened on the 3rd November 1974.

The complex houses two Temples, an Executive Board Room, two Banquet Halls and office facilities, with plenty of parking space.
The Hebrew Order of David International is now approaching its 100th year of existence. It is no longer purely a national organisation in South Africa, but has extended its ideals and virtues in all of its aspects to Lodges which have been established in countries such as Zimbabwe, Australia, Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The Hebrew Order of David International currently has Lodges in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, Benoni and Brakpan South Africa in Harare, Zimbabwe, in Raanana, Netanya and Jerusalem, Israel, three Lodges in the UK, one in Perth, Australia and one in Atlanta, the United States of America.

The first UK lodge was established in Hendon, north London, in 1995 after a group of brethren including the late Wor Bro Stan Szapira, Wor Bro George Tihany and Bro Peter Tihany got together and formed a steering group of London resident brethren.
A second lodge followed in Edgware in 1997 and at that time a UK Governing Lodge was established.

A third UK lodge was consecrated in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire to the North West of London in 2000.

Members of the Order are committed to and practice the ideals of the Order, which are Peace, Unity, Fraternity and Love. The motto of the Order Veahavtah, Lereachah, Kamochah Love Thy Neighbour as Thyself is practised by all members of our Order throughout the world.