Our History

At a meeting help on September 10th, 1919, at the residence of Brother Morris Phillips, 686 Bloor Street West, Toronto, it was decided that the interests of the Craft in general would be advanced by the formation of another Masonic Lodge and as a result, the preliminary steps in the formation of Palestine Lodge were undertaken. Petitions were sent to the various Lodges of the jurisdiction for their consent. The petition bore the following names; W. Bro. Edward J. Repath, Harmony Lodge, No. 438, G.R.C.; R.W. Bro. George Tait, St. Andrews Lodge, No. 16, G.R.C.; Bro. Ed Fellman, Mt. Sinai Lodge, No. 522, G.R.C.; Bro. Nathan Blumbergh, Harmony Lodge, No. 438, G.R.C.; Bro. M. Joel Singer, St. John’s Lodge, No. 75, G.R.C.; Bro. Rabbi Jacobs, Mt. Sinai Lodge, No. 522, G.R.C.; Bro. Laurie Blumbergh, High Park Lodge, No. 531, G.R.C.; Bro. Morris Phillips, Mt. Sinai Lodge, No. 522, G.R.C.; Bro. E. Frederick Singer, Dt. Albans Lodge, No. 514, G.R.C.; Bro. William N. Winkler, Mt. Sinai Lodge, No. 522, G.R.C.; Bro. Harry Turofsky, Mt. Sinai Lodge, No. 522, G.R.C.; and Bro. Harry Melvin, Tuscan Lodge, No. 541, G.R.C.

This sanction having been obtained, the petition was duly presented to Right Worshipful Brother Ernest W. E. Saunders, the District Deputy Grand Master, Toronto District, No. 11b, and a favourable report being presented from him to the Most Worshipful the Grand Master, Frederick W. Harcourt, a dispensation was granted, authorizing the formation of Palestine Lodge.

The institution Ceremonies were held on January 28th, 1920, under the direction of Rt. Wor. Bro. Ernest W. E. Saunders, the D.D.G.M., assisted by Rt. Wor. Bro. Tim Barber, G.S.W.; R. Wor. Bro. J. Tanner, G.J.W.; Rt. Wor. Bro. Geo. Purchase, Grand Chaplain; V. Wor. Bro. C. H. C. Wright, and other Grand Lodge officers. The proceedings were attended by fully three hundred members of the Craft. The dispensation being announced, Wor. Bro. Edward J. Repath was called to the East to assume the gavel and directed to preside over the Lodge as the First Worshipful Master.

From this date, splendid progress was made, petitions for initiation being presented from many men of high character and standing in the community, and when the Worshipful Master presented the petition for a warrant to the Grand Lodge in annual session at Niagara Falls, Ontario, on July 21st, 1920, the Charter was immediately granted, and the organization was duly entered on the Grand Register of Canada as Palestine Lodge, No. 559.

The Brethren were of the opinion that very distinguished ceremonies should mark the Consecration of this Lodge. This took place at the Regular Meeting held on October 27th, 1920, under the personal direction of the Most Worshipful the Grand Master Fred W. Harcourt, who was assisted by the forty-four other Grand Lodge Officers. The ceremonies were given with full music ritual, and were attended by one of the largest and most representative gatherings ever held under Masonic auspices in the City of Toronto.

During the course of the evening, Bro. Arthur Cohen presented to the Lodge, various necessary paraphernalia, gifts from the brethren as follows; -

Volume of the Sacred Law and Square and Compasses by Bro. Abraham Cohen. Three Gavels by Bros. Nathan Blumbergh, Laurie Blumbergh and Milton Blumbergh. Set of Wands by Bro. Gordon T. Williams. Set of Working Tools by Bros. M. Joel Singer, E. Fred Singer, Abe Singer, Israel Singer and Isador Singer. Altar Cloth by Bros. Abraham Rosenthal and William Rosenthal. Director of Ceremonies’ Baton by Bro. Louis Soren. Candidates Suits by Bro. A. Lipson.

On behalf of the Lodge, Bro. Charles Draimin presented to a representative of the Toronto General Hospital Trust, who was present, a cheque for two thousand dollars, to perpetually endow a cot in that institution to be known as the “Palestine Lodge Cot”.

The following brethren, M.W. Bro. Fred W. Harcourt, R.W. Bro.W. N. Ponton, R.W. Bro. Ernest W. E. Saunders and Bro. the Hon. William Renwick Riddell, having been elected Honorary Members with full privileges at a previous meeting were then presented with Honorary Membership certificates.

The proceedings at the “Fourth Degree” were marked by an elaborate banquet and programme of entertainment, and distinguished by the presence of many ladies, who were invited by the members of the Lodge.

Thus Palestine Lodge was launched upon its career under splendid auspices and with excellent promise of success.

The officers of the Lodge for 1925 are; - Wor. Bro. Dr. Abraham Brodey, W.M.; E Frederick Singer, I.P.M.; William Gittes, S.W.; Abraham Singer, J.W.; Rabbi B. R. Brickner, Chaplain; Harry Rosenthal, Treasurer; Harry Melvin, Secretary; Louis Greisman, Asst. Secretary; M. J. Singer, D. of C.; Egmont L. Frankel, S.D.; Laurie Blumbergh, J.D.; Carl M. Frankel, I.G.; Abraham Cohen, S.S.; Murray Draimin, J.S.; Dr. Bernard Schaffer, Organist; C. Godkin, Tyler

What is Freemasonry?

Freemasonry is the oldest fraternal organization for men, all around the world; in almost every country. Its organizational structure shows its age.

Freemasonry can appear incomprehensible because it contains no coherent ideology or doctrine, and is defined instead by a commitment to universal brotherhood and self-improvement. Nor does a single governing body exist. It is made up of a loose network of groups, known as Lodges, that fall under regional and national Grand Lodges

It grew out of medieval stonemasons’ guilds, which set wages, trained apprentices and regulated who could practice the craft. In early modern Europe, masons studied measurement, geometry and mathematical calculation as well as bricklaying. Expert masons acted as architects and engineers, earning a higher status than most other tradesmen. Advancement within guilds implied authority, and the path from apprentice to master was marked by ritual. To elevate their trade, masons invented elaborate histories dating back to ancient Egypt.

What Does Membership Entail?

You are joining a fraternity where good men are made better. We have regular Lodge meetings once per month (mostly on the 4th Wednesday), where we have a dinner banquet followed by a business meeting. During some meetings, as you progress through the Masonic ranks, you will be asked to recite some memory work, for which you will have ample time to rehearse. In some months, we additionally participate in various Community Service activities, like hosting bingo nights at the Baycrest Centre, or helping at an Out-of-the-Cold program, or distributing food packages on Passover, or participating in home building for Habitat for Humanity, etc. In some months, we additionally participate in social activities, like the annual golf/fishing weekend, masonic/Halloween at Pioneer Village, shvitz night, poker night, winter frolic at a member’s cottage, dinner and dance evening, etc.

Pre-Requisites For Membership:

• Being a male over the age of 21

• Have a sound reputation, and be well-recommended by your peers (these attributes will be tested
  through references and a background check).

• A belief in a Supreme being, no matter which religion

• Be interested in character building and morality…. stressing honor, personal responsibility and
  personal integrity

• Be able to memorize short passages of text of masonic rituals

• Attend a regular meeting each month, and participate in some Lodge activities and committees.

• Being able to pay a one-time membership fee, and then annual dues.

The Brothers of Mosaic Lodge are happy to have men who express an interest in joining the Masonic Fraternity. We hope that this information will help you to decide if our Brotherhood is what you are looking for, and if so, that you will find it as interesting and rewarding as we do.