What the Shrine is all About
A bit about Shriners | Membership | About El ZaribahWhat are Shriners?
Shriners are members of Shriners International and are members of the Masonic Order and adhere to the principles of Freemasonry - Brotherly Love, Relief and Truth.
Freemasonry is the oldest, largest, and most widely known fraternal organization in the world. It dates back hundreds of years to when stonemasons and other craftsmen on building projects gathered in shelter houses or lodges. Through the years these gatherings changed in many ways until formal Masonic lodges emerged, with members bound together not by trade, but by their own wishes to be fraternal brothers.
Shriners are distinguished by an enjoyment of life in the interest of philanthropy.
As an organization with approximately 350,000 members (3,000 members in Arizona), the fraternity has a buoyant philosophy. This philosophy has been expressed as "Pleasure without intemperance, hospitality without rudeness, and jollity without coarseness."
Shriners are men who enjoy life. They enjoy parades, motorcycle runs, trips, circuses, dances, dinners, sporting events, and other social occasions together.
Through fellowship and philanthropy, Shrinedom strengthens the soul and adds inner meaning to daily life. It thus spreads a glow of joy through one's entire family.
Men from all walks of life and all levels of income find fun, fellowship, and relaxation in their local Shrine organizations and its activities. There are also regional Shrine Clubs in many communities. Family picnics, dances, parties, and scheduled trips to near and far are just a few of the activities available.
For the Shriner desiring even more activity, there are various units that he can join, such as motorcycles, drum & bugle corps, oriental bands, horse patrols, and clown units. For those of us who enjoy playing golf there is the Sandbaggers Shrine Club, so as you can see, every effort is made to ensure that a Noble has a variety of activities from which he may choose.
There are 193 Local Shrine Organizations, located in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Phillipines, Puetro Rico and the Republic of Panama. Informal Shrine Clubs are located all around the world.
Membership Information
Membership in any sense of the meaning is the lifeblood of any organization, especially the Shrine and El Zaribah in particular. There are many individuals that depend on us. Consider the children we support requiring specialized medical care in our Hospitals, the annual Circus for excitement, joy and laughter, and more.
Membership is every member's business and benefit. El Zaribah's leadership has gone to great lengths to create an environment that would provide something for everyone. Few limits have been placed on the members to help ensure they can participate as much or as little according to their personal needs. You can find many opportunities in the various Units and Clubs. Beyond that, there are various Shrine Committees' where one can employ his skills and expertise to a specific project. These activities pretty much allow you to determine the time you want to devote to the project.
It shouldn't be long until you find yourself inviting friends and acquaintances to become a member of El Zaribah where they too can enjoy the fun and fulfillment of membership.
El Zaribah History
On February 10, 1896 , a group of Masons was issued a dispensation to form the nucleus of a new Shrine organization in Phoenix, Arizona Territory. On June 24 of that year, a charter was issued to to these men and they were given the name of El Zaribah Shriners for the area identified as the Arizona Territory. This new name "El Zaribah" is arabic and is translated to mean "Hunter's Paradise". When you think about the Arizona Territory of the 1890's the Phoneix area with the flow of the Salt River was truely a "Hunter's Paradise". Soon after the charter was issued, a band and a patrol were formed to comply with Imperial Council's requirement that every organization was to have such units.
During the early years of El Zaribah, it is understood that most activities were held in a building known as the Berryhill Building, located near First Street and East Washington in Phoenix.
On February 22, 1921, the old El Zaribah Shrine building was dedicated. "Vic" Hanny was Potentate at that time. But during the decade of the 70's it became apparent that a new location for the Shrine building would need to be established. The state of Arizona wanted the site at 15th Avenue & Washington to be incorporated into the government mall.
After a search across the valley of the sun, the present site was located and ground was broken in October of 1988. On September 30, 1989, the Cornerstone Laying was held. The first regular stated meeting was held in the new building on December 13, 1989.
This new building which is now called the Shrine Auditorium is used by the Shrine and many other groups and indiviuals for private parties and events very much in align to the ideals and thought of the Shrine's founding fathers.
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