The Oxford Women's Lodge - No. 2297
The Oxford Men's Lodge (also called The Oxford Lodge) - No. 2308
The Oxford Joint Lodge - No 2297/2308
B'nai B'rith is an international charitable Jewish organisation that is administered through national, district and local lodges. The Oxford Women's Lodge was founded in the summer of 1960, and inaugurated November 1960. Margaret Curtis was the first president. The Oxford Men's Lodge (also called The Oxford Lodge), with Prof. David Daube as president, was formed December 1960 and inaugurated early 1961. The Women's and Men's Lodge joined together in 1975 to become The Oxford Joint Lodge.
B'nai B'rith made a difference to the Jewish community in Oxford. Amongst other things, the Lodge sponsored or helped with the Friendship Club, B'nai B'rith Youth Organisation (BBYO), and Menorah. For further information about B'nai B'rith see the article which gives a brief account of the first 21 years of B'nai B'rith in Oxford (Ref: O26/2/PR1/2).
Members of the Oxford B'nai B'rith decided to disband the Lodge 1990 as a result of spiralling costs. A new society called the Oxford Menorah Society was formed in 1990 to carry on many of the functions of the old B'nai B'rith Lodge but based entirely in Oxford and operated entirely for the benefit of the local community. See section O26/9 for records of the Oxford Menorah Society.