Consecrated 1988
In March 1987 a steering committee was formed with a view to consecrating a new Lodge in Johannesburg. There had been no new Lodge formed in Johannesburg for some twelve years, and the Grand Executive of the day felt that the time was ripe to establish a Lodge of young men over the age of 22 years and under the age of 30 years, and in so doing made a break with the past. The idea was to let the young, with their fresh ideas run their Lodge as they saw fit, within the established framework of the Order. It was felt that the 'generation gap' experienced in other Lodges would be overcome.
In a short period 76 brethren were initiated into the Order and the Lodge was consecrated in November, 1988 with Bro Colin Horwitz as President.
The first 15 months saw the Lodge settling down and operating as a cohesive Lodge with brethren participating in every facet of the Order's involvement in community affairs, Lodge visits and installations. During this period the following charities benefited from Lodge Hatikvah's input: Twilight Children's Home, Selwyn Segal Hostel, Hatikvah House and Arcadia Children's Home, to name but a few.
A Black-Tie affair was held at the Simon Kuper Hall in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Association. Leading cabaret artists gave of their time, to make this evening an unqualified success, and a substantial amount was handed over to the Cystic Fibrosis Association.
During 1990/1991 the Lodge suffered together with many institutions, from the loss of many committed brethren due to emigration, resulting out of the political instability prevailing at that time.
This setback did not deter the Lodge from actively pursuing its work and once again many charities benefited from the Lodge's input and involvement. It was during this period that a sum of R26 000 was raised as a result of the Selwyn Segal Project. Brethren giving of their time and working in teams manned tables at major retail outlets for a period of three months and brought the project to a very successful conclusion.
In 1991 Bro Mark Glasser, a consecration member of the Lodge was elected President and set out to consolidate the membership of the Lodge, while at the same time endeavouring to assist as many charities as possible.
On both accounts the Lodge was very successful and besides supporting the Lodge's traditional charity organisations, substantial amounts were channelled into two other needy causes, namely the Tay-Sachs Foundation and the Gauchers Society.
It is noteworthy to mention that fund-raising for the year brought in excess of R45 000 no mean effort in light of the prevailing political and economic uncertainty of the time.
In 1992, Bro Colin Berger, another consecration brother was elected President. Following on the successes of the past, the Lodge continued to participate as an integral part of the Order and proved to one and all concerned that the decision to establish the young Lodge had been the correct one.
Lodge Hatikvah continued to assist the underprivileged of the community and once again raised substantial amounts of money, which were distributed to deserving charities. During this period the Lodge became sponsors of yet another new Lodge for younger men of the community, the Simon Wiesenthal Lodge.
The brethren of Lodge Hatikvah undertook to assist the new Lodge as its steering committee and assisting with initiations and other affairs until consecrated. The brethren of the new Lodge attended Lodge Hatikvah's meetings.
Lodge Hatikvah developed a professional initiation team and besides initiating brethren into their own Lodge, offered their services to other Lodges, who appreciated the slick and proficient technique of the brethren of Lodge Hatikvah.
Emigration played havoc with membership and in 1993 Bro Mark Glasser was re-elected as President. The main thrust of the year was to consolidate the Lodge, which was successfully done. Lodge Hatikvah brethren concentrated their effort on chavershaft and social gatherings while continuing to devote themselves to the ideals of the Order.
The Donkey Derby evening had now become an annual event, and was well attended by brethren of other Lodges, as well as members of the public. The Lodge saw fit to award the following brethren with Certificates of Achievement for their efforts in organising this event. Bro Colin Horwitz, Bro Richard Meyers and Bro Jeff Lipschitz. A handsome profit was made and proceeds were distributed to deserving causes, such as Hatikvah House, Chevra Kadisha, Yad Alaron and Michael Tzadoka Fund.
Naming of the Lodge
"Hatikvah" (Hebrew: הַתִּקְוָה, pronounced [hatikˈva], Arabic: الأمل, lit. English: "The Hope") is a 19th century Jewish poem and the national anthem of Israel. Its lyrics are adapted from a poem by Naftali Herz Imber, a Jewish poet from Złoczów (today Zolochiv, Ukraine), which was then in the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria under Austrian rule. Imber wrote the first version of the poem in 1877, while he was a guest of a Jewish scholar in Iași, Romania. The theme of the romantic composition reflects the Jews' 2,000-year-old hope of returning to the Land of Israel, restoring it, and reclaiming it as a free and sovereign nation.