Protocol notebook of the leadership of the Eliyahu lodge in Haifa, of the secret society Achva Association. Haifa, ca. 1951-1957. First years after founding of State of Israel.

Thick notebook (approx. 450 written pages), handwritten (by several writers), with many short and lengthy notes, including lists of members and addresses, protocols and minutes of meetings and lectures (including lectures on the history of the society), elections and new member registration, and reports on consultations with other branches throughout Israel.

The Achva Association (founded 1894) was a secret society of religious brethren (mostly members of the Perushim and Chassidic communities of the Old Yishuv) which later opened branches throughout Eretz Israel and the rest of the world. Its ceremonies included elements imitating other secret societies such as the Freemasons. The Book of Laws was a central object in the society's meetings and ceremonies.

The Achva Association has been active for over 130 years (to this day), subtly working to achieve peace and unity between all divisions of the public. Achva worked in various ways to improve the economic conditions of its members, providing key positions in industry and politics for members and their families; was responsible for building Jewish neighborhoods in Eretz Israel, including Neve Shalom, Jaffa and Bayit VeGan, Jerusalem; and was active in establishing Torah and educational institutions and appointing worthy rabbis and mitzvah functionaries (including R. Avraham Yitzchak HaKohen Kook, R. Yechiel Michel Tucazinsky, R. Refael Kook, R. Shlomo Zalman Auerbach and others).

The present notebook gives an insider view on the secret workings of the lodge, including efforts to reinforce religious observance in the nascent State of Israel, to assist refugees and residents of troubled neighborhoods, and more.

The notebook also details meetings of the leadership (kept secret from the ordinary members of the Haifa lodge) discussing acceptance and rejection of members, and many other issues. Some protocols are lengthy and detailed, and discuss involvement in elections, an initiative to unite the religious parties of the Knesset, reparations from Germany and many other topics relating to the contemporary state of affairs in the nascent State of Israel.

Includes several invitations to meetings (stereotyped).

Approx. [450] written pages. 20.5 cm. Overall good to good-fair condition. Stains and creases. Original cardboard binding, loose and worn.