Ann Arbor-Fraternity No. 262 Grand Lodge Of Michigan |
Brethren, Sorry this Master's Letter is so late in coming to you. I swear I've already written a February Master's letter before ... maybe twice . ... anyway February is upon us. I always say it's the shortest month but it lasts the longest. No surprise then that I'm ready for Spring.
It's so easy to look outside at the white and the gray and feel defeated. It helps to have something to focus on, and what could be better than brotherhood and charity? As I mentioned in my last letter, joining the charity committee and/or planning charitable activities is an important and ultimately rewarding part of Masonry. I'd like to increase our charitable works in our community. But there is something we should discuss first. Did you know, the lodge spends more money than it collects on dues? You should, it's reflected in our budget and treasurer's report that you get every month. Luckily we're not incurring debt, but the money has to come from somewhere. Our lodge's investment portfolio's dividends have been subsidising the membership. This by itself is not a bad thing, as long as it's an appropriate and sustainable amount. Unfortunately the current spend is not sustainable long term in part because of inflation pressures. It also puts a cap on how much charitable work we can do. The last time we raised dues was in 2010, and that $150 is $225 in 2026 dollars. So at the February regular, I'm going to start a discussion on raising the dues, based on a recommendation from the lodge's Finance Committee. If a motion is made, it'll have to lay over a month and be voted on at the March regular. If you have questions or concerns I invite you to come to the meeting and let's talk about it. This may or may not be a trick to raise attendance numbers. You'll have to be there to find out. Calendar: February 4th, Zal Gaz Grotto: Regular Communication - Dinner 6pm, Meeting 7pm February 18th, Zal Gaz Grotto: EA Degree Special Communication - Dinner 6pm, Meeting 7pm February 25th, TBD Master's Table - 7pm March 4th, Zal Gaz Grotto: Regular Communication - Dinner 6pm, Meeting 7pm March 18th, Saline Lodge: FC Degree Special Communication - Dinner 6pm, Meeting 7pm S&F, Steven Moazami |
Ann Arbor-Fraternity No. 262Grand Lodge Of Michigan |
They say three is a magic number. They say good things come in threes. They say the third time's the charm. We’re embarking on a journey together, to really stress test if "they" know what they are talking about. I wonder will this be like Napoleon, returning from exile on the island of Elba to triumphantly lead the French, only to lose 100 days later at the battle of Waterloo? I wonder will this be like Michael Jordan, returning from retirement in minor league baseball to triumphantly lead the Bulls to 3 more championships? Hopefully it won’t be decided by height. What you don’t have to wonder about is we're starting the year with a fine group of officers. These newly installed brothers embody the idea that Freemasonry makes good men better. They're dedicating their time and effort to making this the best lodge in the world, and to make a difference in their community. And I’m looking forward to working with them to accomplish this. But it doesn't end with just us officers! Please reach out to me if you'd like to be involved in any aspect. To join or start a committee, plan social events, anything that makes our lodge feel special to you. Because then it'll be special for all of us. We're especially going to need help for the charity committee! (Charity is part of another magic three Calendar: January 7th, Zal Gaz Grotto: Regular Communication - Dinner 6pm, Meeting 7pm January 17th, Ypsi Bourbon Fest: Bourbon & Brotherhood Night - 7pm - 9:30pm (flyer attached) January 21st, Zal Gaz Grotto: FC Degree Special Communication - Dinner 6pm, Degree 7pm January 28th, Aubree's in Dexter: Master's Table January 30th, Saline Lodge #133: MM Degree - St. Mary's #4, Dinner 6pm, Degree 7pm S&F, Steven Moazami, PM |
Ann Arbor-Fraternity No. 262 Grand Lodge Of Michigan |
December Master's Letter: “As the Curtain Is Drawn Closed” Calendar: December 12/03/25 (Wed) Regular Communication, Lodge of Sorrows Brothers, That’s it. This is my last master's letter. It has been (almost) a full year, and it is time for a thankful reflection. Above my desk, prominently displayed, two frames are hanging: one is “The Master’s Obligation” and the other is “Charges to the Worshipful Master.” Throughout this last year I often read and re-read them with reverence. Am I doing right by those who put their trust in me? Am I being steadfast with my obligation and my charge? Bro. Theodore Roosevelt said: "Do what you can, with what you've got, where you are”. I sure tried, and hopefully I mostly was. We met on the level, acted by the plumb, and parted on the square. As this year comes to a close, we can assuredly look at ourselves, and recognize that we employed our working tools to make us less of a rough ashlar than we were twelve months ago. We did it through the pursuit of Wisdom with illuminating educationals, improving the Strength of our Lodge by bringing to light, passing, and raising an impressive number of Brothers (3rd place in the last decade!), and adorn our Lodge with the Beauty of rituals and ceremonies. And it was all done thanks to YOU. This is a partial repetition of my November letter, but it is only because I cannot thank you enough for your support — physically and spiritually — during this year: the Past Masters for your wisdom and knowing that I can count on your help and support when needed; the officers, for going above and beyond, and your dedication and quality work that enhanced the beauty of our Lodge; and thank you Brothers for showing up in strength at our meetings. I am looking forward to this coming year, to Steve’s year. I know that he will take the Lodge to new heights. On a lighter note, borrowing a title coined by Bill Engvall, I would like to leave you with my “Here’s Your Sign” list — ten signs that you are a Mason:
Finally, I want to wish each and every one of you and your families — a happy, healthy, safe, and peaceful holiday season. I love you. Sincerely and Fraternally, Zevi Bareket Worshipful Master |
Ann Arbor-Fraternity No. 262 Grand Lodge Of Michigan |
September Master's Letter: “Gone the Summer's pomp and show, Autumn is waiting for the Winter's snow.” Calendar: September 09/03/25 (Wed) Regular Communication October 10/01/25 (Wed) Regular Communication
Holy Moly Guacamole - it is September already! What does September bring? What does it mean to you? Religiously, it is a true interfaith month as it offers abundant worshipping opportunities to (almost) all - from the Islam Mawlid through Nayrouz and Michaelmas for (some) Christians, Navratri for the Hindus to the Jewish Rosh HaShana. Even Pagans, whose connection to Freemasonry has been much discussed in both Masonic and non-Masonic literature, have their day in September - Mabon. Incidentally (or not…), this Mabon holiday is a celebration of something that is deeply connected to Masonic symbolism - the Autumn Equinox. In terms of our Masonic symbol — the circle and the two parallel lines — we are smack dab in the middle where the dot is between the two St. Johns; equilibrium between night and day, dark and light. We are getting deeper into the quiet season and stillness. Earth is in perfect balance between weaving light and dark together. Equilibrium, we need to remember, is always the point where things can, and often do change. It’s our time to meditate on what we have worked on in our Masonic journey, and make sure that such a change will be a change for the better. We are here to make the world a better place; by the virtue of our tenet — Masonry is about "making good men better.” In the words of Brother Dr. Rudolf Steiner: Transform yourself for the sake of the world. The other important Masonic date in September is Michaelmas (Feast of St. Michael). St. Michael is the archangel of the sun – overseeing earthly evolution. At Michaelmas we are to be reminded that the evolutionary task depends on the free and independent collaboration of human co-workers. It is not surprising that in the Waldorf schools, an anthroposophical educational system developed by Bro. Steiner which incorporates spiritual activity and intuitive thinking, Michaelmas is still celebrated as the second most important festival after Easter. And our Lodge? How are we doing on tipping the balance towards the light? Well, here’s our year-so-far stats: we brought to light 6 new Brothers, we passed 4 Fellowcrafts, and raised 4 to the sublime degree of Master Mason. That should be considered pretty good work in anybody’s book. And we have more work to do. Degrees coming up, roasting of our much-appreciated, rare JPM — let’s make him well-done! Finally, what’s up with the KFC thing? So, as some of you know, we helped my older son move to Tallahassee to start his PhD at FSU. We arbitrarily picked an overnight stop at Corbin KY. In my search for wholesome nutritious dinner I found this larger-than-usual KFC store. Yum. Apparently, I landed right on the very first store where the Colonel started concocting his delicious recipe. In addition to the store, the place houses an impressive museum of KFC’s history. I then found out that Mr. Sanders was actually Brother Sanders, raised in Lodge No. 651 in Henryville, Indiana. “Colonel Harland David Sanders demonstrated the values of the fraternity throughout his life. He was relentlessly committed to perfecting his craft, a philanthropist who used his hard-earned success to create and fund charities.” Can you guess when he was born? That’s right - September 9, 1890… A September Mason! My Rosh HaShana festive meal this month will surely include some of Bro. Sanders legendary pieces. I hope each and every one of you had a joyful and relaxing summer. I am really excited to get back to Lodge, and hopefully see many of you joining us in the spirit of Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly love With the same, Zevi Bareket Worshipful Master |
Ann Arbor-Fraternity No. 262 Grand Lodge Of Michigan |
June 1, 2025 June Master's Letter: “Happy 308 Birthday!” Calendar: June 06/04/25 (Wed) Regular Communication Brothers! Well, maybe not quite a birthday, it is more like “Exposé”: while Freemasonry secretly existed prior to that, this month 308 years ago, on June 24 1717, the first Grand Lodge in the world was formed. The Premier Grand Lodge was founded, the first of its kind anywhere in the world and the origins of the United Grand Lodge of England. Freemasonry came to light, and the world was better for it. We are smack dab in the middle of the year: June. My personal favorite as we welcome the warm days of late spring and summer. Our year is a swinging pendulum — from the shortest day of winter solstice to the longest one on June 21st — summer solstice. We as Masons can rejoice this month as our pendulum touches the circumscribing edge side of St. John the Baptist. The world around us opens up and blooms, just like it was closed and dark at the other pendulum extreme. The outer light shines bright just as we prepare to go dark; again — opposite to fall and winter when the outer light decreases while we return to lodge with an ever increasing brightness of the inner light. Mid-year reflection on our light spreading so far: we brought to light six new Brothers, passed four to Fellowcrafts (three in the Detroit Temple), raised two to the sublime degree of Master Mason, and expect to raise two more this month before going dark. I hope you are as proud as I am in our Lodge. I would like to share an experience I had this last week. While in Kansas helping my son move back for the summer, we took the opportunity to visit the National WWI Museum and Memorial in Kansas City. Among other areas, they did an exceptional job in conveying the horrific experiences and terrible human cost incurred in the trenches which spanned hundreds of miles from the Alps to the English Channel. One of the display areas was dedicated to “Trench Art”: while confined to the trenches and dugouts and during periods between battles, soldiers produced an array of items made from remnants such as discarded bullets and shell casings. One particular piece caught my eye: . |
It really hit me in an unexpected way and I could not stop thinking about that distressed Brother: did he survive? Was he lucky enough to be with fellow Brothers in that time of duress? Was he able to draw some support and inner strength from his Masonic journey in those grotesque surroundings? It was one of those “I wish I had a time machine” moments (but only if a round trip was guaranteed…) This is the last Master letter before the summer. No worries - I am NOT going to sing “See You In September”; I know that I will see many of you beforehand. Nevertheless I wish you and yours a joyful and safe summer; Have a good time and remember to keep in the spirit of Friendship, Morality, and Brotherly love With the same, Zevi Bareket Worshipful Master |
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Ann Arbor-Fraternity No. 262 Grand Lodge Of Michigan |
May Master's Letter: “May May Bring Us More Maysonry Light” Calendar: May 05/07/25 (Wed) Regular Communication June 06/04/25 (Wed) Regular Communication |
What might May mean for us, Masons? The month of May is most universally associated with rebirth and rejuvenation, as growth and re-emergence of flowers and vegetation surround us. Our own beloved poet Brother Burns described the beauty of this month in his poem: It was the charming month of May, Joyful and merry when it enters, May leaves us on a very solemn note: Memorial Day. May is not just about blissful, charming and fresh rebirth, but it is also about anguished and painful death. For we are all born to die. It is worth noting the connection that we as Masons have to that special day. Brother John A. Logan (1826-1886), a Civil War General and later a leader of the Grand Army of the Republic (a fraternal organization of Union Army veterans), authored this Memorial Day Order: The 30th of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers, or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country during the late rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet churchyard in the land. In this observance no form or ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit. This led to the establishment of Memorial Day as a national holiday. Michigan, by the way, was the first state to make this an official state holiday. And in between these two opposing points of May — the charming rebirth and the sorrow of death — we have the light of life laudable pursuit. From the moment we receive the first light, we are in search of and desire for more light, and more light being the object of our search. We continually ascend and better ourselves by every onward step. In April we gave more light to three Brothers by helping them pass to Fellowcrafts. It was a memorable ceremony in the awe-inspiring grander of the Tudor room in the Detroit Masonic Temple; I really wish more of you were there… I would like to take this opportunity, and shed more light onto some of the numerical symbolism that plays an important and significant role in both Masonry and the Hebrew tradition. In particular, the numbers 3, 5, and 7. The total of 3, 5, and 7 is 15 which is a significant number in numerology and the Hebrew alphabet. 3, 5, and 7 eventually bring us to the place of perfection where the letter “G” illumine the mind and conscience of every God-fearing man. This number fifteen, represents in Hebrew numerology “Yah” - “יה” - which is the abridgment of God’s name as it appears in the Bible. The basic 9-digits “Magic Square” results in fifteen when three numbers are added, either way - perpendicularly, horizontally or diagonally: 4 9 2 The ancient Hebrews held this magic square in veneration, because the central number - 5 - represents the Hebrew letter “ה” which is another abridgment of God’s name; with that sacred character in the centre, the value fifteen (Yah, יה) becomes the constant resultant from every direction. Moreover, the priestly benediction (in Hebrew, Numbers, 6:24) is a three-versed blessing which consists of fifteen words; the first verse has three words, the second has 5, and the last verse is comprised of seven words. 24. The LORD bless you and keep you; (Yes, the word counts do not match the English version, but you’ll have to trust me that the Hebrew original is more efficient and uses only 3, 5, and 7 words in the above three verses respectively…) Concluding reminders:
May the Fourth be with you, to be followed by the Revenge of the Fifth! With Brotherly Love, Zevi Bareket Worshipful Master |
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