(AMERICAN JUDAICA).

14th February

New York

1892

Independent Order of Free Sons of Israel, Joseph Lodge No. 14. Banquet Menu, in the form of a “pillow book” decorated with painted floral designs on covers, with attached ribbon, bow and silk rope trim border. The interior bears on the left the printed menu for the event and on the right, the presidium and names of selected members of the I.O.F.S of I.

An unusual decorative item by an early American fraternal order. Many fraternal organizations were created in the United States in response to the influx of destitute immigrants fleeing Europe after the Revolution of 1848. The oldest national Jewish fraternal order created to aid these immigrants was the charitable and benevolent society of the Independent Order of Free Sons of Israel, established in New York City in 1849 by a group of Masons and Odd Fellows. The Joseph Lodge No. 14 (each lodge bears a specific name, many of which are Biblical characters, the first named “Noah” after M.M. Noah) was founded in 1867.