B’nai B’rith International has issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith urges quick confirmation of the White House choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Marilyn Tavenner, a former nurse, hospital administrator and the current CMS acting administrator, would be a vital advocate for Medicare and Medicaid recipients.

As the CMS principal deputy administrator, Tavenner successfully and skillfully managed the $820 billion federal agency.

More than 100 million Americans rely on CMS for their health care coverage through Medicare and Medicaid. CMS also funds and advises the states on their Children’s Health Insurance (CHIP) programs.

With the vast reach of CMS, the public needs an advocate with a life-long passion for quality health care. Tavenner is the right person for the job.

We are pleased at indications of bipartisan support for Tavenner and urge the House and Senate to work together to speed her nomination through to confirmation.

Former Chilean President, Vice-Prime Minister of Israel and Former Uruguayan President, Among Others, Attend

(Washington, D.C., Dec. 6, 2011)—From Dec. 3-5, B’nai B’rith International held its annual policy conference in Montevideo, Uruguay—the first international B’nai B’rith event ever held in Latin America. Former Chilean President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, Vice-Prime Minister of Israel Moshe Yaalon and U.S. State Department Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Hannah Rosenthal were among the conference’s many high-profile speakers. They spoke about issues from efforts to delegitimize Israel to global anti-Semitism and Iran’s infiltration into Latin America.

“This conference gave all our attendees—from international and local leaders to our valued members and B’nai B’rith leaders—the opportunity to experience first-hand the challenges and advances that are being addressed throughout Latin America, specifically those that affect the continent’s Jewish communities,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs, speaking from Montevideo.

Frei, Chile’s president from 1994 to 2000, spoke about what he sees as a new era of worldwide protests against social and economic inequality, saying that in Latin America as well as the entire world, people are constantly fighting on a larger scale trying to have a better life. Frei also spoke about the need for integration and partnership among international organizations such as MERCOSUR, the South American free-trade organization into which Chile entered during his administration.

He also addressed the pervasive inequality in Latin America, saying that it is the most inequitable continent in the world in terms of society, economics and politics. He cited the need for strong democracies throughout the continent, with division of powers which he hopes might reverse widespread poverty.

Vice-Prime Minister of Israel Moshe Yaalon spoke about the international challenges facing Israel and the Middle East peace process. He focused on the Iranian threat not only in the Middle East but to Latin America and throughout the world from monitoring terrorism, increasing Iranian influence in Venezuela and throughout the region and the potential of a nuclear Iran.

Yaalon also said, in reference to the potential for negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinian Authority, there remains the seminal problem that the Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas will not recognize Israel as a Jewish state.

“This conference accomplished—in fact, surpassed—our goals. With our international participant list and engaging, insightful and timely speakers, we were able to cover the wide range of issues affecting Jewish communities worldwide,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, also speaking from Montevideo.

Hannah Rosenthal, U.S. State Department special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, also addressed the conference. She discussed global anti-Semitism with a special focus on Latin America, noting: “In the 21st century we are still facing rising anti-Semitism internationally and the shores of this continent are far from immune.

“In Venezuela, government-affiliated media carry anti-Semitic expressions.  And in Chile, Uruguay and Brazil we have reports of anti-Semitic desecrations and harassment. These incidents tell us that anti-Semitism is not history, it is news. My approach to combating anti-Semitism is not just to preach to the choir, so to speak, but to join in partnership with non-Jews in condemning it – government, civil society, international institutions, business leaders, labor unions, and the media,” Rosenthal said.

Emilio Cardenas, former Argentinean ambassador to the United Nations, spoke about the political, economic and social disparities throughout Latin America. He mentioned how some countries such as Venezuela and Ecuador don’t respect democracy and instead perpetuate the worst form of populism—lack of democracy with no freedom of speech or press. On the other hand, he pointed out that many countries, such as Brazil and Argentina are leading the way toward a democratized society and he called on these governments to display stronger criticism of countries that endorse anti-Semitism.

Political analyst Julian Schvindlerman said he believes Venezuela is the leader of the promotion of anti-Semitism in Latin America today. He also said Latin America is not an enemy of Israel but it’s also not an ally. He expressed concern about the growing presence of radical Islam worldwide, including the spread of Hezbollah’s influence of Latin America—a major area of concern for the continent’s Jewish communities.

Other speakers at the conference included Danny Brom, clinical psychologist and founding director of the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma of Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem; and Jorge Grunberg, one of the leading international experts on economic growth and its impact on education in Latin America. Also in attendance were former Presidents of Uruguay Luis Lacalle, Tabare Vazquez and Jorge Batlle; current Vice President of Uruguay Danilo Astori, Mayor of Montevideo Ana Olivera, Uruguayan senators from all political parties, ambassadors of Chile and Israel, and the Charge d'Affaires of the United States. A gala dinner was held as part of the conference to honor former U.S. Ambassador to Uruguay, Frank Baxter.

This event has been postponed. We regret any inconvenience.

Join B'nai B'rith for an exclusive taping of the one-woman show "After Anne Frank,” written and performed by Carol Lempert and directed by Janice L. Goldberg

After the performance Ms. Lempert will be available for a conversation with participants.

“After Anne Frank” is a funny and touching memoir from the creator/producer of “That Dorothy Parker” about life, identity, theater, family and forgiveness.

Carol Lempert has performed in all major roles in “The Diary of Anne Frank.” During college she played Anne, in her 20s she played Anne's sister, and years later she played Anne's mother. "After Anne Frank" interweaves these theater stories with the oral history of Carol's uncle—a Holocaust survivor—and begins a conversation about the “Commercialization of the Holocaust.”

Jews are commanded to tell their stories, but what happens when telling meets commerce?

WHEN:          Tuesday, Dec. 13 from 7-9:30 p.m.

WHERE:       Theater54
                     244 West 54th Street
        12th Floor (Between 8th and Broadway)


Tickets are $15 and can be purchased here: http://bbi.convio.net/site/Calendar?id=100221&view=Detail

B’nai B’rith International has issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith International welcomes the United Nations Human Rights Council’s decision to establish a special rapporteur on Syria. Reports indicate that eight months after the Bashar al-Assad regime began its vicious crackdown it has killed more than 4,000 people, 300 of them children. An independent commission of inquiry report, released last week, cited widespread “crimes against humanity” and disproportionate and undue force against Syrian civilians.

At the third recent emergency meeting on Syria of the 47-member Human Rights Council in Geneva, 37 European, Asian, Arab and American members voted in overwhelming favor of the resolution, reproaching Syria for “the continued widespread, systematic and gross violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms by the Syrian authorities, such as arbitrary executions, excessive use of force and the killing and persecution of protesters, human rights defenders and journalists, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearances, torture and ill-treatment, including against children.”

China, Cuba, Ecuador and Russia voted against. Six countries abstained: Angola, Bangladesh, Cameroon, India, Philippines and Uganda.  

The resolution also established the post of a special human rights investigator to scrutinize abuses in Syria. Additionally, the resolution noted that the widespread attacks—including torture, sexual violence and forced disappearances—were perpetrated unequivocally on the orders of Syrian authorities.

The HRC urged the main U.N. bodies to “urgently consider” this report and “take appropriate action” to support “efforts to protect the population of the Syrian Arab Republic and to bring an immediate end to gross human rights violations.”

The current monstrous actions of the country’s leadership must be ended immediately and this HRC declaration is a positive step forward on the road to stopping the violent, despotic practices of the Syrian leadership. Only with such a course can the Syrian people begin to feel safe and to rebuild their country.

At a Capitol Hill hearing on global anti-Semitism, B’nai B’rith International Director of Legislative Affairs Eric Fusfield told the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the U.S. Helsinki Commission): “The effort by Israel’s relentless critics to denigrate the Jewish state is not only evidence that anti-Semitism is alive and well 66 years after the Holocaust—this new variation of the world’s oldest social illness actually poses a security threat to the Jewish state by intensifying its international isolation.”

During the hearing, “Combating Anti-Semitism in the OSCE Region: Taking Stock of the Situation Today,”   Fusfield also testified: “While much has been done to fight anti-Semitism in the past decade, much work remains. The need for practical and effective strategies to combat and defeat this pathology is still crucial.”

There are 56 North American, European and Central Asian countries that comprise the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Fusfield noted the importance of acknowledging the anniversaries of important and meaningful conferences of the past as a way to challenge OSCE members to “follow through on their commitments” to fight anti-Semitism.

And he told the committee that they must reaffirm “That no political position, cause or grievance can ever justify anti-Semitism—and make clear that the demonization and delegitimization of the Jewish state is often none other than a pretext for the hatred of Jews themselves.”

Fusfield concluded: “B’nai B’rith pledges its ongoing cooperation as we all confront the challenge of combating anti-Semitism together.  The history of European Jewry in the past century is a tragic one.  Let us be mindful of that history; let us speak out; let us use our influence; and let us act now.  History demands nothing less from us.”

Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, chaired the hearing.  Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) is co-chairman of the commission.

Also testifying: Hannah Rosenthal, U.S. Department of State Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, and representatives from other Jewish groups.

At a Capitol Hill hearing on global anti-Semitism, B’nai B’rith International Director of Legislative Affairs Eric Fusfield told the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe (the U.S. Helsinki Commission): “The effort by Israel’s relentless critics to denigrate the Jewish state is not only evidence that anti-Semitism is alive and well 66 years after the Holocaust—this new variation of the world’s oldest social illness actually poses a security threat to the Jewish state by intensifying its international isolation.”

During the hearing, “Combating Anti-Semitism in the OSCE Region: Taking Stock of the Situation Today,”   Fusfield also testified: “While much has been done to fight anti-Semitism in the past decade, much work remains. The need for practical and effective strategies to combat and defeat this pathology is still crucial.”

There are 56 North American, European and Central Asian countries that comprise the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE).

Fusfield noted the importance of acknowledging the anniversaries of important and meaningful conferences of the past as a way to challenge OSCE members to “follow through on their commitments” to fight anti-Semitism.

And he told the committee that they must reaffirm “That no political position, cause or grievance can ever justify anti-Semitism—and make clear that the demonization and delegitimization of the Jewish state is often none other than a pretext for the hatred of Jews themselves.”

Fusfield concluded: “B’nai B’rith pledges its ongoing cooperation as we all confront the challenge of combating anti-Semitism together.  The history of European Jewry in the past century is a tragic one.  Let us be mindful of that history; let us speak out; let us use our influence; and let us act now.  History demands nothing less from us.”

Rep. Christopher Smith (R-N.J.), Chairman of the U.S. Helsinki Commission, chaired the hearing.  Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-Md.) is co-chairman of the commission.

Also testifying: Hannah Rosenthal, U.S. Department of State Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, and representatives from other Jewish groups.

This weekend B’nai B’rith International will convene its annual policy conference in Montevideo, Uruguay—the first international B’nai B’rith event ever held in Latin America.

From Dec. 3-5, high-profile speakers, B’nai B’rith members and leaders will speak out on and learn about issues like efforts to delegitimize Israel, global anti-Semitism, protecting seniors worldwide and the unique dangers of Iran’s infiltration into Latin America.

Vice-Prime Minister of Israel Moshe Yaalon will speak about the international challenges facing the Jewish state. Former Chilean President Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle, the second president of the restored democracy in Chile who served from 1994 to 2000, will address the meeting. During his administration Chile entered into South American free-trade organization MERCOSUR and the country saw robust economic growth.

Emilio Cardenas, former Argentinean ambassador to the United Nations, will focus on how Latin American policies relate to the United States and Europe. Additionally, Hannah Rosenthal, U.S. State Department special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, will discuss global anti-Semitism with a special focus on Latin America.

“Hosting our international policy conference here in Montevideo provides a unique opportunity to learn about Latin American Jewry first-hand from top-notch speakers and educators,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs. “We look forward to garnering insight on today’s most pressing issues straight from the source.”

Today’s Jewish community in Montevideo is vibrant and fervently Zionist, with youth groups, sports clubs, a kosher bakery, Hebrew schools, about a dozen synagogues and more.

Jews have lived in Uruguay since the 1600s, but the major influx occurred in the 20th century. Sephardic Jews arrived in the early 1900s, followed by Polish, Russian and other Eastern European immigrants. Central European Jews came in the 1930s. Following World War II, Holocaust survivors traveled to the South American country by boat.

“The diversity of the Jewish community in Montevideo is reflective of the diversity and internationality of our membership worldwide,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, also speaking from Montevideo. “With members in more than 50 countries, and a participant list from many of those, this gathering is sure to provide a unique perspective to all attendees.”

Other speakers at the conference include Danny Brom, clinical psychologist and founding director of the Israel Center for the Treatment of Psychotrauma of Herzog Hospital in Jerusalem; Julian Schvindlerman, political analyst and expert on Vatican policy toward the Jewish state; and Jorge Grunberg, one of the leading international experts on economic growth and its impact on education in Latin America.

Sessions will be held in both Spanish and English.