B’nai B’rith International marked the one-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan by funding a new program for the survivors.

On March 11, 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit 80 miles off the coast of Japan, causing waves as high as 33 feet to hit Japan’s eastern coast, resulting in devastating destruction and flooding. More than 30,000 were killed and more than 250,000 were displaced.

A year later, the B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund has allocated $25,000 for a project organized by IsraAID (the Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid) of which B’nai B’rith is a founding member, to document earthquake and tsunami survivor testimonies in Japan’s Miyagi prefecture.

The project’s goal is to collect testimony from 300 survivors and witnesses of the March 2011 Tsunami/Earthquake with the help of local volunteers. The testimonies—written, videos and photographs—would then be used to expand existing archives and museums throughout Japan, making the testimonies available for educational and commemorative use in Japan and worldwide.

In July 2011, B’nai B’rith funding went to another IsraAID program which provided basic relief supplies and children’s kits as well as post trauma training to teachers and local government officials who operate and head relief programs and facilities.

B’nai B’rith has been engaged in international disaster relief since 1865. The B’nai B’rith International Disaster Relief Fund has provided aid to populations affected by natural and man-made catastrophes around the world, through immediate, short-term and long-term relief, long after other first responders have left a disaster site.

B’nai B’rith International decries the barrage of rocket fire from terrorists in Gaza against major population centers in southern Israel over the weekend and supports Israel’s right to defend itself against these indiscriminate attacks.

B’nai B’rith stands in solidarity with not only Israelis in southern Israel, but all Israeli citizens during this time of attacks on the Jewish state.

Though the Palestinian Popular Resistance Committee has claimed credit for the more than 200 rockets that have been fired into Israel, it is Hamas—which controls Gaza—that should also bear responsibility since the attacks originated from areas that it claims to govern.

“Not only does Hamas continually refuse to renounce violence against Israel, this time it has allowed violence to originate from Gaza,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs. “Israel must do what is the basic obligation of every nation: protect its citizens.”

The attacks have forced 1.5 million citizens in southern Israel to take shelter. Though Israel employed its newly released Iron Dome missile system to deter most of the rocket attacks, eight Israelis have been seriously injured and nearly 250,000 children were affected by school closures after one rocket damaged a Beersheba school and another landed in a nearby neighborhood, damaging 15 homes.

“This dangerous escalation of violence and terror against innocent civilians is only the most recent example of the commitment by Hamas and that of its rejectionist allies to seek the elimination of the Jewish state and to foment instability in the region,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin.

March 11, 2012 marked the one-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Japan and caused a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant. Immediately following the catastrophic events, B’nai B’rith opened a disaster relief fund to assist in the recovery effort.

In addition to offering immediate aid, B’nai B’rith is also determined to provide long-term support. In collaboration with the Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid (IsraAID), B’nai B’rith donated equipment to child-friendly facilities for displaced children and helped fund educational endeavors meant to teach post-trauma courses for doctors and teachers in multiple towns affected by the earthquake, tsunami and ensuing nuclear catastrophe.

Most recently, B’nai B’rith has allocated $25,000 through its partnership with IsraAID to develop a survivor documentation and testimonial project. Those individuals who were fortunate enough to survive the earthquake and tsunami witnessed the loss of friends and family as well as the devastation to their own property and livelihoods. While reliving the tragedy is difficult, sharing personal stories can be therapeutic and a vital part of healing for the survivors.

But Japanese culture does not readily invite strong displays of emotion, and survivors are hesitant to share their stories. Through this project, however, survivors of the natural disaster are encouraged to open up and let their emotions out. Not only does this project hold therapeutic significance for the survivors, but it has cultural, historical and social value as well. Documenting survivors’ stories will help shed light on the acts of bravery and generosity in the days immediately following the disaster.

IsraAID will use written testimonials, video interviews and photo shoots to document the stories of the survivors. The documented testimonials will then be distributed to archives and museums in eight towns of the Tohoku region of Japan where the testimonials will be used for educational and commemorative purposes.

In addition to continuing to work in Japan, B’nai B’rith has remained dedicated to providing lasting, long-term support in Haiti more than two years after the earthquake devastated the Caribbean country. B’nai B’rith helped to raise a total of $255,000 for relief efforts in Haiti. Through its partnership with IsraAID, B’nai B’rith has continued to sponsor Haiti Grows, a program which utilizes Israeli agricultural experience to help Haitian farmers develop and cultivate their lands and livelihoods.

Currently, Haiti Grows is in the midst of its first six-month famer training program, where 60 local farmers are learning numerous skills like pest management, seedling production and crop selection. Haiti Grows has continued to forge relationships with the Haitian government and international organizations to provide the needed agricultural resources to enable rural Haitians to grow their own food and provide for their families.

B’nai B’rith has also donated to the Dream Team of Haiti scholarship program. Dream Team of Haiti is a youth leadership group dedicated to promoting education, solidarity and public service. The scholarship program identifies exceptional individuals with strong commitment to leadership and community involvement. The donation from B’nai B’rith has helped Dream Team members continue to attend school while remaining involved in their local communities.

B’nai B’rith International marked the one-year anniversary of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated parts of Japan by funding a new program for the survivors. On March 11, 2011, a 9.0-magnitude earthquake hit 80 miles off the coast of Japan, causing waves as high as 33 feet to hit Japan’s eastern coast, resulting in devastating destruction and flooding. More than 30,000 were killed and more than 250,000 were displaced.

A year later, the B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund has allocated $25,000 for a project organized by IsraAID (the Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid) of which B’nai B’rith is a founding member, to document earthquake and tsunami survivor testimonies in Japan’s Miyagi prefecture.

The project’s goal is to collect testimony from 300 survivors and witnesses of the March 2011 Tsunami/Earthquake with the help of local volunteers. The testimonies—written, videos and photographs—would then be used to expand existing archives and museums throughout Japan, making the testimonies available for educational and commemorative use in Japan and worldwide.

In July 2011, B’nai B’rith funding went to another IsraAID program which provided basic relief supplies and children’s kits as well as post trauma training to teachers and local government officials who operate and head relief programs and facilities.

B’nai B’rith has been engaged in international disaster relief since 1865. The B’nai B’rith International Disaster Relief Fund has provided aid to populations affected by natural and man-made catastrophes around the world, through immediate, short-term and long-term relief, long after other first responders have left a disaster site.

B’nai B’rith International strongly condemns the recent hate crime against a young gay Chilean man who is now in a coma and calls on local authorities to investigate this homophobic attack and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.

B’nai B’rith also urges Chile to promptly pass the anti-discrimination legislation that has already been introduced in the Chilean Congress.

According to news reports, the victim was found with head trauma, a broken leg and swastikas drawn on his body. While the assailants have not yet been identified, reports indicate that investigators are looking into whether the attack was perpetrated by a neo-Nazi group.

“We hope Chilean authorities will use everything in their power to find and prosecute the assailants and bring justice to the victim of this awful, brutal attack,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs.

B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said: “We have long been a strong advocate for anti-discrimination and hate-crime legislation in the United States and internationally and hope the Chilean Congress will soon pass a much needed anti-discrimination law.”

In the United States, B’nai B’rith supported the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act that was passed in 2009 and will continue to speak out against discrimination and hate crimes worldwide.

B’nai B’rith International has opened its Disaster Relief Fund to help the victims of the deadly tornadoes that swept across the South and Midwest last week leaving at least 39 dead and thousands homeless. The storms, which demolished towns and devastated the lives of thousands, were unprecedented in their number, severity and timing.

As B’nai B’rith has done in aiding victims of disasters since 1865, the organization will carefully evaluate the extent of the needs and work with carefully selected partners to provide both short- and long-term relief to the victims.

B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said, “The fact that these storms came so early in the season, were so ferocious in their intensity and occurred when many were asleep and unable to go to safety combined to magnify the disastrous consequences of the tornadoes.”

“Our hearts go out to the victims and their families,” B’nai B’rith Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said. “B’nai B’rith is poised to respond by providing immediate assistance to the communities.”

Recently, the B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund aided victims of Hurricane Irene, which wrought devastation on much of the U.S. South and Midwest; provided aid to victims of the famine in East Africa, the tsunami and earthquake of Japan and the earthquake in Haiti; and provided humanitarian assistance to the Somali refugees fleeing violent conflict to Kenya.

To help, donate online at our secure website by clicking here.

Donations may also be made by mail to: B’nai B’rith International Disaster Relief Fund, Attn: 2012 Tornadoes, 2020 K Street, NW, 7th Floor, Washington, D.C., 20006.

On March 9, 1977, the United States was unfamiliar with terrorism on its soil. However, on that day 35 years ago, Hanafi Muslims carrying rifles and machetes seized the B’nai B’rith International headquarters building on Rhode Island Avenue in Washington, D.C., taking more than 100 people hostage.

The hostage situation ended when three ambassadors from Muslim nations—Iran, Egypt and Pakistan—persuaded the terrorists based on passages from the Koran to end the hostage situation. By the end of the 39-hour attack, one person was killed, two others were shot, dozens were injured, and all were terrorized.

At the time, a secular, pre-revolutionary Iran was a friend to the United States, and to a lesser extent, Israel. Today, the world faces the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran, a country whose leaders deny the Holocaust, refuse to recognize Israel’s right to exist, issues threats against the Jewish people, and which relies on religion to justify intolerance and hate.

B’nai B’rith was not the only target that day. The Hanafi Muslim terrorists also held hostages at the District building (Washington’s city hall), and the Islamic Center. The group said it was avenging the murders of seven members of a Hanafi leader’s family four years earlier at the hands of a rival Muslim group.

Those held hostage in the three locations 35 years ago were innocent bystanders, as are the victims of Islamic extremism today. These events, and so many more, have as their genesis blind hatred and ignorance.

B’nai B’rith International implores those in the family of civilized nations to exert every possible effort to wipe out terrorism worldwide.

B’nai B’rith Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin is available to comment on the similarities and differences between the terrorism of 1977 and international terrorism today. B’nai B’rith may also be able to arrange interviews with former hostages.

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!

“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.

B’nai B’rith International strongly supports Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for his declarations at the annual conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Washington, where he reiterated Israel’s right to “defend itself, by itself against any threats,” saying, “Never again will we not be masters of the fate of our very survival.”

Netanyahu focused on the dangers of a nuclear-armed Iran, saying it must be stopped. “I will never let my people live in the shadow of annihilation,” he said.

Israel alone reserves the right to determine the best course of action to uphold its own safety and security, to maintain freedom and democracy for its citizens. The global Jewish community shares Israel’s deep concern over the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran. As an organization, B’nai B’rith strongly endorses Israel’s right to do all in its power to safeguard the country.

Since Israel’s founding in 1948, each Israeli prime minister has done everything in his or her power to protect the Israeli people from outside threats. Today is no exception.

B’nai B’rith International welcomes the important discussions on this subject yesterday between Netanyahu and President Obama at the White House. We continue to urge the international community to bring increased pressure on the Tehran regime to cease its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

B’nai B’rith International is pleased to announce USA Network’s Characters Unite public service campaign will serve as co-sponsor of this year’s B’nai B’rith International Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge in New York City.

USA Network’s Characters Unite initiative is dedicated to promoting diversity, tolerance and acceptance, themes B’nai B’rith aims to relay to youth via this writing challenge. Characters Unite includes original programming and PSAs, digital content and community and school events across the country to help combat prejudice, hate and discrimination.

The Diverse Minds contest is an education and awareness initiative that charges teens with writing and illustrating children’s books that explain diversity and tolerance to elementary school-aged children. The first-place winner receives a $5,000 college scholarship and will have his/her book professionally published.

The program was created in conjunction with other B’nai B’rith programs that promote tolerance and communicate a message of equality among all citizens. The contest aims to enlighten, inspire and educate America’s youth and their families in an effort to destroy prejudices and strengthen their future.

This annual contest is also made possible by the continued support of the NYSE Euronext Foundation. NYSE has sponsored the contest since 2007. The writing challenge would not be possible without the generous support of these two foundations.

Since the program’s inception in 2006, B’nai B’rith has distributed more than 22,000 books to schools and libraries in contest cities including New York, Los Angeles, San Antonio, Memphis, Minneapolis, Washington, D.C. and Colorado Springs, Colo. In 2011, B’nai B’rith staff also donated copies of the New York winning book, “The Mystery Gift,” on live television to the TODAY Show’s 18th Annual Holiday Toy and Gift Drive, which benefitted participating agencies in Detroit and New York.

The deadline for contest submissions is Friday, March 23, 2012. Additional program information can be found at www.bnaibrith.org/diverseminds.