B'nai B'rith, Greater Seattle Lodge 3003 records, 1884-2001

B'nai B'rith, which means "sons of the covenant," is the oldest and largest Jewish service organization in the United States. Founded in 1843, as Bundes Bruder by 12 German Jews in New York, B'nai B'rith original mandate was "to unite Israelites in the work of protecting their highest interests and those of humanity." The organization is open to all branches of Judaism. It is dedicated to philanthropy and has offered assistance in both natural and manmade disasters. Other projects are youth organizations, orphanages, hospitals, libraries, vocational-training programs, and Hillel religious facilities at U.S. colleges, etc. Local chapters meet in cities around the nation.

Seattle's B'nai B'rith participation began in 1883 when Lodge No. 342 was founded. In 1900, Hildesheimer Lodge was founded by Herman "Pop" Kessler and a group of Orthodox Jewish men, and in 1906, the Hildesheimer Lodge merged with Lodge No. 342. The merged lodges took the name Hildesheimer Lodge No. 503. In 1907, another Seattle lodge formed: Rainier Lodge No. 627's members belonged to Reform congregations. In 1922, Hildesheimer Lodge merged with Rainier Lodge and became Seattle Lodge No. 503.

Cascade Lodge No. 1822 received its charter in 1949. In 1959, Overlake Lodge No. 2040 was founded, making a total of three lodges in the Seattle area.

In 1975, the three lodges merged to form the Greater Seattle B'nai B'rith Lodge No. 3003.