It wasn’t a ribbon-cutting or a gala. There was no long list of speeches, no formal program. Just a small group gathered quietly near the Kindertransport section of the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum on Wednesday morning, May 28 to dedicate a new plaque—and honor a local Jewish lodge that recently said goodbye.
The plaque is simple: “B’nai B’rith, Lodge #22.” But the sentiment runs deeper.
B’nai B’rith is one of the oldest Jewish service organizations in the country, dating back to 1843, known for its work in human rights advocacy, community service and support for the state of Israel. Its St. Louis chapter, Lodge #22, operated for decades before deciding to dissolve earlier this year. In the process, the group made a final donation of $5,000 to the Holocaust Museum.
“We’re so grateful that people took the time to have their stories recorded,” said Myron Freedman, the Museum’s executive director, referring to the foundation of the museum’s permanent exhibition. “This whole exhibit is really built on those stories. You’ll hear their voices throughout the entire exhibition.”
It was Freedman who pointed out the significance of the chosen location for the plaque—near the Kindertransport exhibit, which commemorates the rescue of thousands of Jewish children from Nazi-occupied territories just before World War II. “You picked the perfect spot,” he told the group.
Chaney Jewell, the Museum’s director of development, echoed that sentiment. “I think that choosing the Kindertransport, especially with the work that your organization did, it’s so meaningful. This area really highlights children that were displaced, children that needed to run away from their homes… and I truly believe that this is just a fantastic representation of your organization’s mission.”
That mission—serving the Jewish community and its children—was top of mind for Marcia Lyons, one of the B’nai B’rith members in attendance. “Children and their children’s children are so important to us,” she said. “In the whole years that I’ve been back in St. Louis, for 20 years, children are who we’ve been working for and helping.”
So why did the group choose this museum, among all the possible recipients of their final gift?
“We could have done it anywhere,” said Oscar Goldberg, a longtime member. “But I personally thought that this would be a wonderful memento for B’nai B’rith. It’s a beautiful museum. I just felt that this would be an ideal area to contribute the money to.”
Not every farewell needs a stage. Sometimes a plaque by the wall honoring the Kindertransport says it all.
