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:

 
 
Project H.O.P.E.
The B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region's Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Everywhere) Passover Food distribution event held on Sunday, March 17, was a big success. Volunteers filled 100 baskets with food items and paper goods and delivered them to seniors and individuals in need.

B'nai B'rith had a lot of help during this year's Project H.O.P.E. including young professionals and teens.

Project H.O.P.E. is a community action project whose major goal is the collection and distribution of food packages to poor and elderly Jews during Passover. Many Jews who cannot afford special holiday foods depend on B'nai B'rith members to provide matzoh and the other Passover staples. To these people the remembrance is often as special as the needed food. Project H.O.P.E. works with the community family service agencies and local Jewish social services and with B'nai B'rith members and synagogue volunteers. Jewish organizations provide the lists of people who need packages and the facilities for collecting, storing, and packing the food.

 
 
Theodor Herzl
The Zionist Organization of America presented a new film on February 20 that examines the brilliant life of Theodor Herzl who singlehandedly began the movement that led to Israel's founding.

The program was hosted at The Holocaust Memorial Center in Farmington Hills, Michigan,

Event co-sponsors included B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Region, Stand with us Michigan, Hadassah, and the Holocaust Memorial Center.

For additional details, please contact 248.661.6000 or Kobi@mizoa.org.

 
 
Members of B'nai B'rith Great Lakes from the Bloch/Israel & Pisgah/Zeiger B’nai B’rith Units came together on Sunday, January 27, 2013, for the 14th Annual Texas Hold’em Tournament at the West Bloomfield JCC.
Everyone was invited to attend, but players had to be 18 years old.  Raffle and other prizes were awarded.

This tournament helped support local B’nai B’rith programming including its sports’ leagues. 

For more information call the B’nai B’rith office at 248-646-3100 or one of the Tournament Hosts: Sid Roth 248-202-3297, Lyle Schaefer 248-882-5953, or Rick Sherline 248-613-5400.
WE HAVE A LICENSE FROM THE STATE OF MICHIGAN TO HOLD THE TOURNAMENT
 
 
Picture
The B'nai B'rith Great Lakes region hosted on January 19 the ZAGER/STONE/TUCKER/GRANT/OAKLAND CENTURY/MORGENTHAU L’CHAYIM/KEIDAN UNIT'S DINNER & A MOVIE NITE. 

Attendees shared dinner at Mama Mia's on Beech Daly Road in Redford, Michigan, and then came together at the Redford Theater to see Gentleman Prefer Blondes, which featured Jane Ruseell and Marilyn Monroe.

To learn more about programming in the B'nai B'rith Great Lakes region contact greatlakes@bnaibrith.org.

 
 
The Jewish community of Michigan came together on August 26 for the B'nai B'rith 34th Annual Tigers Event at Comerica Park as the Detroit Tigers hosted the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Sunday, August 26, 2012, 1:05 P.M.
Comerica Park
2100 Woodward Avenue
Detroit, MI 48201

BBI members and volunteers had group seating in two sections:

> Kaline’s Corner for $36 per ticket ($18 is a donation).
> Lower Baseline Box Seats for $54 ($16 is a donation).

NOTE:  Sunday is Kids Day at Comerica Park.

Children 14 & under received an insulated lunch bag, free rides on the Carousel, and had a chance to run bases on the field after the game.