Brother Jacob Levy, Life Member

by W William J. Thomas

A woman called me recently to learn something of her great grandfather. She had found his obituary amongst some personal papers, which noted that he had been in Shakespeare Lodge and had died September 10, 1951. There was not much family history, and she was interested to know something about him. She found Shakespeare's Lodge on the internet. Was there anything in our Lodge records about Brother Jacob Levy?

Here's what the obituary says about Jacob Levy: He and his brother, Nathan, founded Levy Brothers Realty at 1440 Broadway. He lived at 230 Central Park West, and was 76 when he died in 1951. He began his career as a newsboy. In 1898 he was graduated from the New York University Law School, but never practiced. His company is credited with having erected in 1901 at the corner of Grand and Chrystie Streets the Lower East Side's first elevator apartment house. In 1928, the two Levy brothers contributed $125,000 toward the cost of a new out-patient building of the Jewish Hospital of Brooklyn. The building was named for them. In 1945, he organized the Jacob Levy Foundation, of which he was president. The foundation provides scholarships for needy students in American colleges and to the Hebrew University in Israel. The foundation also gave funds to the Hebrew University for the erection of the Jacob Levy Building for Social and Economic Research. He was survived by his brother, Nathan, widow Mrs. Sadie Littman Levy; two sons, Morton and Leon Levy; and a daughter, Mrs. Milton Sass. Mrs. Levy was active in the Children's Welfare League.

Our Lodge minutes show that Jacob Levy's petition was presented at the 637th stated communication, on May 1, 1902 by Brother Max Monfried. Worshipful Brother William Goldsticker was Master. Mr. Levy was aged 28, resided at 89 Eldridge Street, and born in New York. His occupation is real estate. Mr. Levy referred to:

Brother Meyer Krasner (Shakespeare's secretary)
Brother Louis Mass (Franklin Lodge)
M. Sturtz (Composite Lodge?)

On motion the proposition was received and referred to the investigating committee of Brothers Kratka, Michael Cohen and Isidore Bloom.

The receipts of the evening show a $5 proposal fee from Jacob Levy.

During our 638th statement communication on May 15, 1902, the investigating committee made a favorable report. Mr. Levy was balloted for and declared duly accepted. He and two other candidates were then initiated Entered Apprentice in due and ancient form. The Lodge receipts reflect Brother Levy paid the balance of his initiation fee of $20.

Brother Levy received the Fellowcraft Degree during the June 5 communication. Of interest during the 639th stated communication was the announcement of the passing of Brother Abraham Levy, who was "... one of the oldest brothers in the Lodge." Levy is a rather common name, and there were a number of Levy's in the Lodge. It cannot be determined if the new Fellowcraft was related to the brother who just died, although he had an older brother named Abraham Levy.

Among the items on the trestleboard on June 19, 1902 was a resolution to recommend the adoption of the petition of brothers in the Lodge to form William McKinley Lodge. It was unanimously adopted. The other item of note was the raising of four brothers, including Brother Jacob Levy, to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason. They "... were announced as being in waiting for the Third Degree in Masonry, they having made suitable proficiency in the preceding degree, a constitutional time having elapsed, and there being no objection. They were duly prepared, regularly received, and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master Mason in due and ancient form, and signed the by-laws of Shakespeare Lodge No.750, thereby consummating their membership." An interesting item in the disbursements that evening was $6 to Brother Adolph Lissner for one dozen lambskin aprons.

I did not search the ensuing 49 years for entries regarding Brother Jacob Levy. He did not sit in the East as Master, nor did he work in the quarries of Grand Lodge. The next item I did find was his death notice during the September 20, 1951 meeting, our 1600th stated communication. Worshipful Eli Cohen was the Master, and Worshipful Abraham J. Berk was the Chaplain: "Sorrowful announcement is made of the death of Brother Isaac Marks, life member, who died on July 8th, and Brother Jacob Levy, life member, who died on Sept. 10th. In neither instance was the Masonic Service requested." A page in the minutes was set aside in his honor. Do recall who presented Brother Levy's petition 49 years earlier in 1902? Well, the death of Right Worshipful Max Monfried was announced at the same communication, one paragraph below Brother Levy's announcement.

Brother Levy's great granddaughter is Susan Lane. I sent her copies of these relevant excerpts from our minutes, along with a copy of Brother's Levy's signature in our by-laws, and his account ledger for 1902-1903.

Ms. Lane expressed her appreciation for the new light, and made a donation to the Lodge's Memorial Fund in the name of her great grandfather. The donation was deposited, and a card of appreciation was sent to her.

It is requested that this report be received by the Lodge and spread upon the minutes in its entirety.

Respectfully submitted,
Worshipful Brother William J. Thomas, Past Master

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