investing in people and ideas that can

change the world

who we are

Created in 1958, the Abravanel Foundation invests in people and ideas that will make an impact on our communities and change the world through education, relief and charity.

what we do

We create and fund innovative and collaborative solutions for urgent social challenges.

why we do it

We believe more fearless approaches are needed to address the challenges facing our communities today.

who

Freemasonry is possibly the oldest, largest, and most charitable men’s fraternal organization in the world today.  Freemasonry is based on the belief that each man has a responsibility to help make the world a better place.  For those who choose it, it is a path of self-discovery and shared beliefs that make good men better sons, husbands and fathers.  And it is walking upright and proud, in the same tradition as the long list of giants who did so before us.

Totam rem aperiam, eaque ipsa quae ab illo inventore veritatis et quasi architecto beatae vitae dicta sunt.

Guided by the enduring principles of our fraternity, we make a profound difference for our brothers, our families and our communities.  As Masons, our commitment to personal growth and relief through philanthropy is based on the belief that every man has a responsibility to help make the world a better place.

Freemasonry is spiritual, not religious in nature.

Freemasonry is an opportunity of a man to improve himself.

Freemasonry is rich in history and tradition.

Freemasonry is open to men of good character, regardless of race, creed or religion.

In short, Freemasonry is a way of life.

A Short History of Our Lodge

I

n the year 1930, a group of Masons who were members of La Fraternidad Lodge #387, conceived the idea of forming a new Lodge whose members would be predominantly Sephardic. The first meeting to launch this movement took place on Saturday evening November 22, 1930 at the Manager Hotel in Manhattan. This gathering was convened through notice over the signature of brothers Solomon Emanuel, Jacques M. Habib and Louis J. Opal. This marked the beginning of the only Masonic Lodge in the world composed of mostly Sephardic members.

The petition for letters of dispensation for the Lodge was signed by the following members: Eli M. Alcabes, Joseph Amelar, Claude Cabutto, Fernando De La Garza, Dr. Solomon De Sola, Solomon Emanuel, Milton H. Ezra, Jacques M. Habib, David Joseph, Theodore Labe, Louis J. Opal and Gabriel Yohai.

It then became necessary to find an appropriate name for the Lodge. Several names of celebrated philosophers and theologians of the Middle Ages were suggested before it was finally concluded to name the Lodge after Don Isaac Abravanel – Portuguese Jewish statesman, philosopher, Bible commentator and financier.  Abravanel was born in Lisbon, Portugal in 1437.  He died in 1508 in Venice, while in exile, during the Spanish Inquisition.  He was buried outside Venice in the town of Padua, next to Rabbi Judah Minz, the Rabbi of Padua.  However, due to the destruction of the Jewish cemetery there during the Siege of Padua in 1509, Abravanel’s grave is now unknown.

It is noteworthy to point out to our readers the place which Don Isaac Abravanel still holds in world history. He was a statesman, financier to kings, philosopher, theologian and biblical commentator. He is, indeed, considered a truly great and glorious figure of the Golden Age of Jewish history.

Through the years, Abravanel Lodge #1116 has grown and developed substantially, and it has become a strong constituent within the domain of New York Masonry. This is principally due to the ever present spirit of solidarity keeping the rank-and-file strong and steadfast, as well as to the brilliant leadership of a long array of luminaries within the Lodge to guide its destiny.

Long may we continue to walk in their path.

we achieved

through our charitable actions

Food Donated
Blood Donated
Toys Donated
Families Helped

Abravanel Lodge Officers, 2016-2017

Dolor sit amet conse

  • VW Michael Matsas
    VW Michael Matsas Master
  • Bro. Elliot M. Brown
    Bro. Elliot M. Brown Junior Warden

Master

Senior Warden

Junior Warden

Secretary

Treasurer

Senior Deacon

Junior Deacon

Chaplain

Marshal

Senior Master of Ceremonies

Junior Master of Ceremonies

Steward

Steward

Tyler

Trustee, 3 years

Trustee, 2 years

Trustee, 1 year

W Michael Matsas

Bro. Lindsay A. Pierre

Bro. Elliot M. Brown

Bro. Nadav Kauderer

Bro. Izzy Roditi

Bro. Shlomo Bar-Ayal

Bro. Ron Connelly

RW Carlos Carrera

Bro. Daniel G. Stelatos

Bro. Christian Colon

Bro. Elliot Nakkab

Bro. Jason L. Sigman

Bro. Benjamin L. Holzer

Bro. Robert Medina

W Daniel Ortiz, Jr.

W Carmelo Rivera

RW Barry Cohen

Past Presidents of
the Abravanel Foundation

1958 to 2015



























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The Gallery Of Life

Charity over the years

A small sampling of
our list of partners

Toys for Tots New York Blood Center Susan G. Komen National Multiple Sclerosis Society Jamaica Hospital Medical Center American Cancer Society City Harvest

We need your help

Each member of the Board of Directors of the Abravanel Foundation has as his obligation, execution of the Foundation’s primary objective: RELIEF.  We believe that each one of us has a responsibility to help make the world a better place.

Through our culture of philanthropy, we make a profound difference for our families, our communities and our future.

Contact us today for more details!

The Abravanel Foundation, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) charity.

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