B'nai Brith
Most of the men in town joined the B'nai Brith Sudbury Lodge #1592, which was established on 7 October 1945. Joseph Lesser, the public relations manager of the House of Seagrams, was elected as its first President. B'nai Brith pursued charitable causes. It was also dedicated to promoting education by giving out scholarships to high-achieving high school graduates. They also regularly raised funds in support of Hillel chapters at universities across Ontario.
The most memorable B'nai Brith fundraisers were fishing derbies and curling bonspiel weekends. Brothers would come from all around - particularly from Toronto, Timmins, Kirkland Lake, Sault Ste. Marie and North Bay - to participate, win prizes and eat delicious meals prepared by the Women’s Auxiliary. The B'nai Brith picnic committee also maintained properties on Lake Ramsay, Black Lake and Clearwater Lake for the Jewish community. Jewish families would meet at these locales for races, refreshments, games, steam baths and boat rides. B'nai Brith also welcomed Jewish dignitaries from other cities and hosted events with non-Jewish organizations.
