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[msmemory_archive]

I've groused here before about the Christian bias of the Order of the Eastern Star. I wish I'd planned ahead and announced that I wouldn't be at tonight's big Installation of New Officers because it's a religious holiday for my in-laws (who are extremely non-observant, only "culturally Jewish," but could have been used behind their backs to make a point).

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[baron-steffan.livejournal.com]

There are Jews in OES, but we're rather rare. Most of us are like me: I joined to serve as Worthy Patron with my girlfriend (now wife) when she was "moving up the chairs". I also served as Chaplain, a rather, um, mind-expanding experience for a nice Jewish boy %^).

OES was founded by a Victorian Mason as his concept of what an ideal Victorian ladies' club should be, as a haven for the female relatives of Masons. The president is called the Worthy Matron, but there are some ritual functions that are allowed only to men, who must be Masons. The WM's counterpart is called the Worthy Patron, and that's about all you really need to know: his job really is rather patronizing.

The thing is, OES makes noises about being non-sectarian, but in truth it's a firmly Protestant organization, far more than the Freemasons under whose umbrella they operate. They're firmly stuck in, oh, 1957 Kansas, and consist primarily of sweet blue-haired Presbyterian ladies who have no notion that singing "Onward Christian Soldiers" might be problematic for a couple of their members. Or actually, I think their attitude was that, hey, that was the club, and they'll let me in 'cause they desperately need something with a Y-chromosome to be WP, but if I had an issue it was my own lookout. There's no way they're gonna change anything for the token Jew-boy their members who are of the Hebrew faith.

Can't say as I blame 'em, really: I pretty much knew that going in. It is how it is, and on my list of battles, fighting that one was never a great priority. Beth and I keep our dues up, but she works nights and our chapter merged with one in a neighboring town, so we haven't been back pretty much since our year in the big chairs.

[msmemory.livejournal.com]

And I turn out to be mistaken: our newest line officer was late for the business meeting because she went to temple first.