On October 13, 1843 in New York's lower east side, twelve men founded the B'nai B'rith. The reason for the forming of the Lodge was due to conditions of disunity and dissension among the Jews and the discrimination of non-Jews in certain fraternal lodges. The objective was to work together constructively for their own welfare as well as the welfare of the entire community.

Everything they undertook was in response to an existing need such as a Jewish Community Center, in the early 1850's; a Jewish orphanage in 1868 and a Jewish hospital in 1899.

Their motto is "Benevolence, Brotherly Love and Harmony".

The Preamble to the B'nai B'rith Constitution is as follows:

"B'nai B'rith has taken upon itself the mission of uniting Israelites in the work of promoting their highest interests and those of humanity; of developing and elevating the mental and moral character of people of our faith; of inculcating the purest principles of philanthropy, honor and patriotism; of supporting science and art; alleviating the wants of the poor and needy; visiting and attending the sick; coming to the rescue of victims of persecution; providing for, protecting and assisting the widow and orphan on the broadest principles of humanity."

On June 6th, 1875, the Grand Rapids Lodge of the Order of B'nai B'rith was begun with seventeen charter members. The Grand Rapids Lodge became the 28th Lodge in District No. 6 and Julius H. Houseman was elected as its first president. The meetings were held in the old Knights of Pythias Hall. When Julius Houseman,the first president and one time Mayor of Grand Rapids, passed away on February 8, 1891, the name of the lodge was changed in tribute to his memory.

In 1952, the lodge celebrated its Diamond Jubilee and the following were the committee:

Irving Solomon Meyer Weiner

Cyron Dennen Albert Manes

William Ginsburg Abe Ginsburg

Philmore Dennen Ben Bland

Paul Liebert Marvin Lopatin

Herbert Cantor

Oscar Levy had been a member of the lodge for over fifty years and the following had been members for over 25 years in 1952:

Harold Albert Louis M. Fishman Ben Liberman

Samuel G. Albert Martin Fox Maurice H. Mainzer

Silas Albert Joseph J. Ginsburg Philip E. Newman

Phillip Allen William Ginsburg Jacob R. Rapaport

Abraham I. Altman Alex Gittlen Frank E. Seidman

Morris Armour A. J. Grunberg Norton Siegel

Max Baer Alex Guralnick Nathan Sklar

Jerome E. Baum Samuel H. Himelstein Max L. Subar

Harry Belkin Hyman Hoffman Harry Weiner

Morris M. Berman Joseph L. Houseman Nathan Weiner

Gus Faingold Abe Kleiman David E. Weiss

Jacob Finkelstein Abel Kollenberg Moses M. Weiss

Ben Fishman Oscar Levy Israel Wepman

When the Grand Rapids Chapter of Aleph Zadek Aleph was founded in 1926, it became the fifth chapter in the nation. In 1934, the Chapter was renamed the Philip Wasserman Chapter in memory of Philip Wasserman,outstanding A.Z.A. leader.

A group of women in December, 1944, and a petition was presented asking that a charter be granted for a Women's B'nai B'rith Chapter in Grand Rapids. More than one hundred and fifty women showed their desire to affiliate with this group. On March 17, 1945, the charter was presented to the women by the Julius Houseman Lodge on behalf of the District Grand Lodge.

The first officers were elected in April, 1945, with Mrs. Abe Geller as President.

The organization became sponsors of the B'nai B'rith Girls in 1946.