Israel
Partnership with AEPi Fraternity Vital to Ensuring Holocaust Remembrance

B’nai B’rith International is observing Holocaust Remembrance Day with its annual program “Unto Every Person There is a Name,” now in its 24th year. B’nai B’rith is the official North American sponsor of the program created by Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. Participants name the victims of the Shoah and where and when they were born and died. The ceremonies occur on the 27th day of the month of Nissan on the Jewish calendar. These observances honor more victims each year, as the project collects more names.

Yad Vashem’s—Israel’s official Holocaust museum and research center—suggested theme for this year’s Yom Hashoah is “Defiance and Rebellion during the Holocaust: 70 Years since the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.” Throughout the week of April 8, B’nai B’rith groups and committees will hold programs across North America that include speakers and readings in synagogues, Jewish community centers and public places such as Holocaust Memorials and community parks.

“It’s incredible to watch how ‘Unto Every Person There is a Name’ has grown since its inception in 1989,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said. “It is important that we never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust and individually recognize all those who perished.”

In addition to community observances, B’nai B’rith partners with the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity for “We Walk to Remember” on 110 college campuses throughout the United States, Canada, Israel and the United Kingdom. Members of AEPi will participate in both the walk and “Unto Every Person There is a Name” programming.

Speaking from the Walk at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said, “I’m honored to take part in ‘We Walk to Remember.’ B’nai B’rith has a great partnership with AEPi and we’re wholly behind its efforts to make sure the Holocaust is never forgotten by today’s youth.”

This is the 5th year B’nai B’rith and AEPi have worked together on Holocaust Remembrance Day programming. The combination of the two powerful programs has created a lasting impact on campuses across the globe. It demonstrates that young people on campus understand the importance of remembering and have taken on the responsibility to tell the story of the victims of the Holocaust.  

“‘We Walk to Remember’ is a program that quintessentially represents what it means to be in Alpha Epsilon Pi,” said AEPi Howard M. Lorber Director of Jewish and Philanthropy Programming Adam Maslia. “Stepping up as leaders in the Jewish community in partnership with B'nai B'rith International, the brothers of AEPi have crafted the world's largest on-campus Holocaust commemoration event that is so simple, yet so impactful and effective in ensuring that the world never forgets the atrocities of the Shoah."  

On the morning of April 8, the B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem and the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) held a unique joint Holocaust commemoration ceremony dedicated to the heroism of Jews who rescued fellow Jews during the Holocaust. Taking place at the Martyr’s Forest “Scroll of Fire” Plaza with about 900 people in attendance, 29 Rescuers Citations were awarded to Jews who employed subterfuge, forgery, smuggling, concealment and other methods to ensure that some Jews survived the Holocaust in Europe or assisted them in escaping to a safe haven.

See photos and videos from select events across the U.S. and in Israel:

 
 
Members of the B’nai B’rith Young Professional Network-Chicago came together on Sunday, January 13, for a morning volunteering and helping at The ARK, Chicago’s Jewish Community resource for those in need.
 
 
Join the B’nai B’rith Young Professional Network-Chicago for Zoolights on Sunday December 9, 2012.

We will be going to the Lincoln Park Zoo from 5:30 to 7 PM. Meet at the corner of W. Webster Avenue and N. Stockton Drive (at the 151 Sheridan Bus stop). Walk around the zoo, observe the lights and zoo animals, and make new friends.

After the zoo, please join us for dinner and drinks at Sedgwick's at about 7:20. Sedgwick's is located at 1935 N. Sedgwick St., Chicago, IL. Come after to relax, eat, warm up and
watch Sunday Night Football.

There is no cost to attend Zoolights, however dinner/drinks is on your own.

> RSVP on Facebook.
 
 
Members of B’nai B’rith Lodge will serve their 35th annual chili dinner from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 at Temple B’rith Sholom, 1008 S. Fourth St.

On the menu: chili (vegetarian available), kosher hot dogs, chips, dessert and a drink. Carryouts are offered.

Tickets, available at the door, are $7 for adults and $3.50 for children under 12. Proceeds will help support youth programs of B’nai B’rith and other programs of the temple and the Springfield Jewish Federation.
 
 
Join B’nai B’rith Young Professional Network-Chicago & the American Zionist Movement-Chicago as we celebrate the culture and flair of Tel Aviv and have fun on a Sunday afternoon at Montrose Avenue Beach!

Kosher food from Taboun Grill will be provided. Meet at the Dock Restaurant and we will walk to our spot from there!

Sunday, July 22nd, 1pm-4pm CDT
The Dock at Montrose Beach
200 W. Montrose Harbor Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60640

$15 in advance, $18 at the door. RSVP by July 19th at 10pm for advance rate!

Register Online:  https://bnaibrith.wufoo.com/forms/tel-aviv-beach-party/

 
 
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For the B’nai B’rith Young Professional Network (BBYPN), February was Gift of Life month. BBYPN groups across the country held “Mitzvah Hour” events in cooperation with the Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation. Events were held in Denver, New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C., with the goal of getting attendees to register as potential donors while they meet members of their local networks and learn about programs in their communities.

“Mitzvah Hours” are happy hours with a social action component. The network has been hosting “Mitzvah Hours” in several cities for causes such as the B’nai B’rith Cuban Jewish Relief Project and local food pantries. For these events BBYPN Denver, New York and Washington, D.C., all gathered at local bars, while BBYPN Chicago enjoyed “Mitzvah Dinner” at a popular deli.

Becoming a potential marrow donor is as easy as taking a swab of the inside of your mouth. Not only did nearly 100 people turn out across the country to learn about B’nai B’rith and Gift of Life, but 30 people were swabbed as potential donors!

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“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with the B’nai B’rith Young Professionals throughout the month of February. Helping Gift of Life Bone Marrow Foundation raise awareness is a perfect example of BBI’s commitment to enhancing its programs with educational and meaningful experiences,” said Marti Freund, senior development associate for Gift of Life and B’nai B’rith’s contact for the partnership. “We are thankful to everyone who participated in the bone marrow recruitment drives and took the time to learn more about our mission to save lives.”

Gift of Life is an organization that maintains a public registry for bone marrow, blood stem cell and umbilical cord donors. Through its life-saving work, Gift of Life is a world leader in facilitating transplants for children and adults suffering from many life-threatening diseases, such as leukemia and lymphoma.

For more information, you can visit www.giftoflife.org.

For more information on the B’nai B’rith Young Professional Network, email us at ypn@bnaibrith.org.

And check out more photos from the "Mitzvah Hour" events by clicking here.