Our members and their careers in Freemasonry
Morris Levin - history and career in Freemasonry
The Levin family emigrated to South Africa from Brizai Lithuania in June 1934. Morris was 13 years old. Barney 11 years and Ted 9 years. After completing school, Morris attended the Cape Technical College. He then commenced his working career in the metal industry.
In 1938 Morris was called up by the army for training and became a corporal in the Duke's Regiment, He then was called up for active duty on 20 May 1940 to 1945 and served in Kenya, Abyssinia, Egypt and Italy.
In 1942 Morris was on active service in Egypt where he met his wife Rosette Hodara in Alexandria and in 1945 they got married in Alexandria and left together by boat to return to South Africa. Morris and Rosette have three sons Norman, Robert and Jeffery. Norman and Robert were initiated in Freemasonry in South Africa. Norman is a member of Lodge Humanitas N.Y. but now resides in Australia. Morris is also a member of Lodge Humanitas.
He was awarded the following for his service.
- 1939/45 Star
- Africa Star with 8th Army Corps.
- Italy Star
- British Defence Medal
- War Medal 1939/45
- Africa Service Medal
- The Efficiency Medal
After the war Morris founded the Atomic Office Equipment factory which operated between 1946 to 1970. He sold it in 1970. At that time he had 330 workmen in the factory.
Morris was initiated into Lodge de Goede Verwachting on the 25 July 1949 and on the 27 March 1950 was raised to the Third Degree. He was installed as the Master of the Lodge between 1956 and 1957. In 1970 Morris took part in the negotiations to admit persons of colour into Freemasonry which is well documented here.
Morris then achieved the following offices in the South African Constitution.
- 1957 invited to the Provincial Grand Lodge
- 1966 Assistant Provincial Grand Master
- 1968 Deputy Provincial Grand Master
- 1970-74 Provincial Grand Master
- 1974-78 Assistant Grand Master
- 1978 Awarded the Order of Service to Masonry (OSM)
- 1979 Awarded Past Deputy Grand Master
- 1988-91 Elected First Principle of the Supreme Grand Chapter of the Royal Arch of S.A.
- 1987 Awarded the MSA for Meritorious Service to Supreme Grand Chapter (R.A.) of S.A.
- 1995 Life Member of the Supreme Council Northern Jurisdiction of the United States 33 Degree.
- 2000 Order to Masonry (OSM) from Grand Lodge of Israel
- 2003 Founding Member of Lodge Cape Town
- Awarded Grand JW of Scotland and Past Grand High Priest of the Irish R A.
- Morris, Barney and Ted received their 50 year jewels for service to the Craft
- Honorary member of 38 Lodges.
- July 2009 receives 60 year jewel. Click on the following links to view photos of the event or to read a tribute by Sydney Raymond. Certificates for this event from various lodges of which Morris is a member are shown below.
- Morris is still at present a member of the Grand Lodge Committee since the formation of the of the Grand Lodge of South Africa in 1961 till to this day.
- Morris is a 33° Mason of the Supreme Grand Council of South Africa.
Morris is still a very active member of Lodge Cape Town and regularly attends the BOM and Workings. He is an inspiration to all the members in the Lodge through his dedication and participation to Freemasonry.
Morris is also a Grand Representative of the following.
- Grand Lodge of Scotland (Honory Grand Junior Warden)
- Grand Lodge of Virginia
- Grand Lodge of New York
- Supreme Grand Chapter of Israel (Honoury Deputy 1st Grand Principal)
- Grand Representative of Supreme Grand Council of Israel.
Cape Town 20 November 2008
The following are certificates awarded to Morris for 60 years in Freemasonry (click a certificate to view a larger image)
