Baer, Max F.

Max F. Baer was associated with B’nai B’rith for 65 of his 81 years. Born in Germany, he was raised in Indiana, where he became a member of Aleph Zadik Aleph (AZA) in 1929. He later graduated from Notre Dame University and subsequently earned graduate degrees from Creighton University, Columbia University, and George Washington University.

Baer joined the B’nai B’rith staff in 1934 as the Assistant Executive Secretary of AZA, then started the B’nai B’rith Vocational Service Bureau in 1938, where he served as National Director for six years.

In the 1930s, he served as the B’nai B’rith Refugee Director and helped thousands of Jews emigrate to the United States.

In 1948, Baer became the International Director of the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, where he developed leadership programs, including the organization’s Israel Summer Institute. He was credited with bringing on professional social workers as field directors. In the decade that followed, the Movement experienced tremendous growth. From 1949 to 1959, BBYO’s membership doubled from 18,000 to 36,000 members. Baer also wrote the first Code of Personnel Policies for BBYO and books on vocational guidance.

Baer also consulted for the United States Labor Department and the Social Security Administration. He authored several books, including Dealing in Futures: The Story of a Jewish Youth Movement.

Bisno passed away in 1994.