Contact B'nai B'rith

1120 20th Street NW, Suite 300N Washington, D.C. 20036

info@bnaibrith.org

202-857-6600

On Friday, I was honored to speak virtually with Hilah BBG chapter. The girls ran a beautiful virtual Friday night Shabbat service and after, we talked about Jewish leadership, Israel, anti-Semitism and more. They asked great questions!

I talked about my first trip to Israel, in 1998, where I attended a B’nai B’rith Convention in Jerusalem. I was 15 at the time and saw the impact of bringing B’nai B’rith members from all over the world together. I was able to participate as a BBYO delegate in elections and especially enjoyed the installation dinner. I also listened to my first Israeli singer, who was a guest performer. And I had the privilege of meeting Benjamin Netanyahu at a dinner on top of King David’s citadel. The experience definitely brought me closer to Israel and solidified my involvement in B’nai B’rith.

The girls asked about my volunteer work and I noted that my experience in BBYO and now volunteering in a Jewish organization such as B’nai B’rith International impacts my views of the world and the value I have learned—and continue to learn—about being a global citizen.

Israel advocacy and anti-Semitism were big topics of the night. We talked about the most common lies I hear about Israel—that it’s an “apartheid state”—and how to identify and respond to inaccurate allegations about Israel, as well as the connection between anti-Semitism and anti-Israel belief: anti-Israel is indeed the new anti-Semitism.

The girls asked me what I find most difficult about being a Jewish woman and advocate for Israel in the workforce. I told them that dealing with misinformation and ignorance of others is challenging but I am passionate about speaking openly to those who are willing to learn and as a result, I have had great conversations with people.

The girls were interested in how they can get involved in Israel advocacy. B’nai B’rith International is active at the United Nations in New York and its agencies around the world, such as the Human Rights Council in Geneva. B’nai B’rith leaders regularly meet with ambassadors and government leaders and our international connection gives us a voice to advocate for Israel and the Jewish people in the diaspora.

They also wanted to know about my global travels on behalf of B’nai B’rith. When they asked about the favorite place I have visited on behalf of B’nai B’rith my answer included two spots: Japan and Prague.

Perhaps the most memorable experience I have had as an advocate for Israel was meeting with Gilad Shalit in London after his release (the Israeli soldier was a Hamas hostage for more than five years). We got to dance, go out into the town and have stayed in touch via Facebook. I’ve also met with the Deputy prime minister of Japan and spoke in depth about Israel’s history and right to exist peacefully in the middle east. Japan and Israel’s positive relationship has grown in the past few years. Finally, I noted that serving as a B’nai B’rith delegate to WZO has also been an amazing experience.

And we talked about takeaways for the girls: what to keep near their hearts and minds as they move up in the world, through high school and college and beyond. I concluded by telling them that going forward in their lives, they need to question and challenge anyone who supports the BDS movement and uses anti-Israel rhetoric. They must, as Jewish leaders, know the facts and have intelligent conversation with people they encounter. I told them that many anti-Israel statements are misinformation used to promote anti-Semitism. Lastly, I told them to visit Israel, learn the history, and experience it for themselves. I promised them that after such a visit, they would leave with a piece of Israel in their hearts that will inspire their future leadership goals and endeavors and make them better advocates for Israel and the Jewish people.

We had an inspirational and motivating conversation and I am very excited about their enthusiastic participation and interest in Israel advocacy, combating anti-Semitism, leadership and B’nai B’rith’s global work.  I look forward to more opportunities to speak to Jewish youth about important topics facing Jews and leadership.

LONDON—Alex Faiman’s career in B’nai B’rith has taken him around the world, from Australia to London. He was born in Shanghai, China. A legendary leader as a B’nai B’rith Europe board member, Alex recently celebrated his 87th birthday in London. His vast contributions have supported survivors and breathed life into Jewish communities in eastern Ukraine, an effort that continues today through B’nai B’rith United Kingdom.

A child of parents born in Eastern Europe, Alex has always had a warm place in his life for helping Eastern European Jews live better lives in the face of adversity.

His father Julius was born in Astrakhan at the River Delta where the Volga meets the Caspian Sea. Julius was in the caviar business and was permitted to live outside the Pale of Settlement. During the Russian Revolution of 1917, the family decided to leave that country. This had to be done fast and illegally. 

With the borders officially closed, Julius traveled to Vladivostok and then to Harbin in Northeast China, where he met his future wife, Lucienne, a Jew of Russian descent. They had one son, Alex, born in 1933. 

When Alex was 2 years old, his parents moved to a larger Russian Jewish Community, still in China. Alex’s multilingual talents have given him many skills to serve humanity. He speaks perfect Russian, Mandarin, Yiddish and English. 

During World War II and the Holocaust, the family lived under Japanese occupation. Liberated by the Russian Army in 1945 and further aided by the Chinese Army, the family decided to move to Sydney, Australia, in 1951. Alex, then 18, would spend more than 30 years in Australia, working in the publishing trade. 

In 1972, he visited Great Britain and met his future wife, Audrey. They returned to Australia, married and joined B’nai B’rith. In 1985, the Faimans moved to London, where they continued their dedicated work with B’nai B’rith. Alex was the vice president of the First Lodge of England in 1986. 

His major concern was to take care of the Russian-Jewish refugees. He then became the president of the Leo Baeck Lodge for many years, a member of the International Division of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the special representative of the chairman of the International Division to the European Jewish Congress. 

Alex established a soup kitchen in Lviv. He also drove the effort in Lviv to establish a medical center and a program to help elderly people, particularly Holocaust survivors and including Righteous Gentiles, with daily needs such as laundry or shopping and just financial support. 

He also worked to support a kindergarten in Lviv with 24 preschool children. “Alex is a man of doing things and not of just talking,” said Simone and Ralph Hofmann, former B’nai B’rith Europe president. “In his most active years, he was happiest when he saw children singing in the Jewish kindergarten he fought to establish. His passion for B’nai B’rith is a shining example to us all. Alex with his ‘hands on’ mentality made dreams come true for our brothers and sisters in Eastern Europe. One cannot praise him enough for what he has done.”

On Dec. 6, 2019, B’nai B’rith Senior Vice President and Disaster and Emergency Relief Committee Chair Rebecca Saltzman travelled to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to meet with staff from the Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh (JFCS) and presented a check for $25,600 to aid mental health programming for survivors of the horrific attack on Oct. 27, 2018, at the Tree of Life Synagogue that left 11 worshippers dead and wounded many more. Funds will also be used to assist first responders and support a community memorial.

Saltzman was joined by Executive Board of Directors member and Pittsburgh native Steve Smiga, who serves as regional president, and B’nai B’rith members from the Aaron Grossman Lodge of the Allegheny Ohio Valley region.

Staff members from JFCS and representatives of the Fraternal Order of Police Benevolent Fund received the check. Jordan Golin, president and CEO; Dana Gold, COO; Stefanie Small, director of clinical services; and Rebecca Remson, director of development and communications, were present. Jonathan Gromek and Susan Hillen, the president and vice president of the Fraternal Order of Police Benevolent Fund, also attended.

This is Saltzman’s account of B’nai B’rith’s disaster relief efforts in the wake of the mass shootings and her involvement meeting first responders and community service personnel in Pittsburgh.

It’s one of those horrific events where you always remember where you were when you learned about it.

On Oct. 27, 2018, I was at the gym, just starting up the treadmill. I looked up at the televisions overhead to see the headlines about a synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh. As I began walking slowly, I started to feel panic and wasn’t sure if I should stop and get off. Instead I began to run, and I ran hard. Growing up and living in Centennial, Colorado, I wasn’t a stranger to nearby tragedies.  I was a sophomore sitting in class at the neighboring school next to Columbine High School when the catalyst of mass school shootings took place. I saw a movie at the Aurora movie theater in 2012 just two nights before yet another tragic mass shooting.  But the synagogue attack was different. Though further away, this hit closer to home, closer to my heart.

Just a few weeks earlier, I had been installed as one of B’nai B’rith International’s senior vice presidents and appointed as chair of our Disaster and Emergency Relief Committee. Helping others after a disaster is a core commitment of an organization that I am so dedicated to and so very proud of. Since 1865, B’nai B’rith has responded with millions of dollars of needed assistance to help the victims of hundreds of disasters – both natural and man-made – around the world.

In the immediate aftermath of the Tree of Life attack – which marked the single deadliest attack on the Jewish community in U.S. history – B’nai B’rith set to work doing what it always does: helping. We launched a campaign to assist the victims, synagogue and community.

Six months later, there was another tragic attack on a Chabad synagogue in Poway, California. I realized then that we, as a people, are under attack again. And that is why organizations like B’nai B’rith are so important. Through 176 years of service, B’nai B’rith has played a vital role. Making the world a safer, more tolerant and better place is the mission that still drives our organization. We monitor and combat anti-Semitism and other global human rights abuses. Through our office of intercommunal affairs, we play an active role cultivating religious tolerance and cooperation internationally.

As I presented the donation to local community members and first responders in December, a year after the deadly gun rampage, I asked them to accept the contribution as a token of our support for continued healing, as we stand together, strong as one, and fight against hatred – because when we say never again, we mean never again. It was humbling to meet first responders and tell them how grateful I was that they came to help defend our people that terrible day. 

As a licensed professional counselor who has worked for over a decade in community mental health, it is personally meaningful to me to present a donation that will go toward mental health support for survivors and a program to assist first responders. In choosing where to offer aid, our Disaster Relief Committee wanted to focus on the mental health needs of the community, which often don’t show up right away. Psychological symptoms of trauma may start months, sometimes years after a traumatic event. These symptoms can cause significant problems in social or work situations and in relationships.

The donation B’nai B’rith made will also support a memorial that will remember the victims of the attack that Shabbat morning, from Tree of Life Or L’Simcha, Dor Hadash and New Light Congregation.

When I was in Pittsburgh, I walked around the Tree of Life Synagogue and I saw impressive artwork created by young people, wrapped around the fencing surrounding the building – what a beautiful response of love and healing to contrast the horrors that occurred on that site.  

Photos from Disaster Relief Check Presentation to the Pittsburgh Healing Fund:

Artwork from the Tree of Life Synagogue:

Residents in Germantown, Tennessee who suffered water damage from a severe and intense rainstorm in early June continue the work to repair their homes. Jay Schwartzmann’s home had only four inches of water in it, but there was still much that was ruined. The carpets, floors, sheetrock and much of the furniture were a total loss. Schwartzmann is using this opportunity to update his kitchen. I was honored to take part in volunteer restoration and clean-up activities, helping to remove all the kitchen cabinets which will either be repurposed in the garage or donated to ReStore, a Habitat for Humanity affiliate.

With B’nai B’rith International’s milestone 175th anniversary occurring this year, we are reminded of what an amazing story we have to tell. Below read about member Phyllis Frank’s most meaningful moments as a B’nai B’rith member. 

In 1863 Nashville was an occupied city.  Conditions were chaotic.  A group of Jewish men established a lodge to help those widowed and orphaned by the war.  They petitioned and became part of the parent organization, The Independent Order of B’nai B’rith and were chartered by the state of Tennessee as Maimonides Lodge.  The lodge owns the oldest charter of any Jewish organization in Nashville. 

From the beginning, the lodge achieved its local obligation and contributed generously to the endeavors of the parent organization – The Cleveland Orphans Home, The Tuberculosis Sanatorium in Denver, the Leo N. Levi Hospital in Hot Springs, the Memphis Home for the Aged, the Anti-Defamation League.  The very successful programs of AZA, for the boys, and BBG (BB girls) were always a source of pride of accomplishment. 

My involvement began in 1961 when I returned to Nashville from active duty in the United States Marine Core.  My father had been a past president of the lodge and insisted I become involved. 

Although some services are no longer offered, the lodge has provided programs most beneficial to many groups.  Already mentioned were the youth programs of AZA and BBG, monthly visits to the VA Hospital to entertain the patients, programs to recognize Jewish veterans on Veterans Day, monthly visits to Jewish prisoners at the State Penitentiary, establishment of the Camp for Blind Children.  Though the camp is no longer in operation, the lodge provides offers services to the blind by sponsoring the Braille Challenge and Academic Challenge at the Tennessee School for the Blind.  Through work with the Tennessee School for the Blind, a scholarship fund has been established to provide assistance to students who are legally blind and plan to attend a post-secondary educational institution.  The Visual Aid Closet provides needed equipment to support daily activities for adults and children who are visually impaired.  Continuing outreach to the general community Maimonides Lodge has held an annual dinner with the Knights of Columbus for 40 years.

Maimonides Lodge #46 has a long and distinguished record of service to its members, their families, the Jewish community, and the community at large.  The lodge has certainly fulfilled its mission of unifying persons of the Jewish faith in the work of promoting their highest interest and those of humanity.  Our members are proud to be part of that history and tradition.  

A History of B’nai B’rith Maimonides Lodge #46

  • Maimonides Lodge #46 of the Independent Order of B’nai B’rith was founded in 1863.  In the midst of the devastation and destruction of the Civil War, the lodge emphasized helping the sick, the distressed, the hungry, the widowed, and the orphans in Nashville’s then Jewish community of 350.  
  • Orphaned boys were sent to the B’nai B’rith Home for Boys in Cleveland.  Girls were sent to the Jewish Widows’ and Orphans’ Home in New Orleans.  Some of Nashville’s most outstanding Jewish professionals, among them Joe Simon and Nathan Cohn, were raised in the Cleveland orphanage.
  • Over time members dedicated themselves to supporting eleemosynary endeavors like the tuberculosis sanitarium in Denver and hospitals and homes for the aged as well as working to Americanize the flood of eastern European immigrants from the 1880s on.
  • B’nai B’rith Maimonides Lodge had defended the Jewish name against calumny and caricature in local publications with anti-Semitic overtones and challenged local publishers to delete the material.
  • Through the years the lodge has proudly supported the youth organizations – AZA (Aleph Zadik Aleph) for boys and BBG (B’nai B’rith Girls) for girls.
  • In 1958 the lodge honored Chancellor Harvey Branscomb of Vanderbilt University with the B’nai B’rith Humanitarian Award.
  • In 1963 the lodge celebrated its centennial anniversary with great pride in its long record of both community service and promoting programs of the parent organization. 
  • In 1971 Elaine Parker, with the State Services to the Blind, suggested to President Stanley Frank that there was a need for a summer day camp for blind children of lower income families.  The lodge embraced this suggestion and successfully sponsored the camp for thirty-seven years.
  • 2008 end of camp
  • At the suggestion of Rabbi Randall Falk the lodge began an interfaith outreach in      .  B’nai B’rith has continued this annual partnership known as  “The Cohens and the Kelleys” with the local Knights of Columbus Lodge.
  • The lodge has a long history of honoring Jewish war veterans with programs shared with the entire community.   Martin Levy, a World War II veteran, has done a fine job of coordinating these events.
  • Starting in the years when the Veterans’ Hospital was still on White Bridge Road, a dedicated core of members provided monthly entertainment and recreation for Jewish veterans.  They provided patients with fellowship and a fun-filled game night. Among the game masters were Richard Isaacs, Harold Capitel, Larry Koch, David Manas, Morris Levine, and Eric Rosenfeld.
  • When Rabbi Falk suggested B’nai B’rith not forget a few Jews in the state prison system, a group of B’nai B’rith members began making monthly visitations to provide spiritual support and even hold seders behind bars replete with matzoh and grape juice. 
  • In the eighties B’nai B’rith sponsored the MaCabee games for the religious school children of the three congregations.
  • For a time in the early 2000s the lodge collected computers and donated them to area nursing homes. 
  • The lodge has conducted initiatives to educate about organ donation.
  • A series of brunches open to the entire community featuring expert guest speakers considered such issues as the future of medicine and crime in our local community.
  • Maimonides Lodge annually sponsors the Braille Challenge at the Tennessee School for the Blind.  This challenge rewards those successful in writing Braille.  Academic Challenge was added several years ago.
  • In 2012 the lodge established an annual scholarship with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to be given to a student who is legally blind for college. 
  • 2013 marks the 150th anniversary of Nashville’s oldest Jewish service organization!

If you would like to share your thoughts about memorable B’nai B’rith milestones and influences on your B’nai B’rith experience, please email them to Steve Smiga, 175th anniversary chair, at drstopdk@gmail.comor toB’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman at charlesok@cs.com.

With B’nai B’rith International’s milestone 175th anniversary occurring this year, we are reminded of what an amazing story we have to tell. Below read about member John P. Reeves’s most meaningful moments as a B’nai B’rith member. 

Please provide three meaningful memorable events that capture the best of B’nai B’rith. The events may be recent or historic. 

1.  Participation of Gilad Shalit (see photo below) at the B’nai B’rith Europe Young Jewish Adult Forum in 2012 in London and awarding honorary membership in B’nai B’rith to Shalit. From 2007 onwards, B’nai B’rith Europe has for some seven years organized Young Jewish Adult Forums in major European cities. In 2012 the organizers of the London forum invited Gilad Shalit, a former MIA soldier of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF). Gilad was captured by Hamas militants in a cross-border raid and held him captive for over five years. The political lobbying of B’nai B’rith in England in elsewhere to free Gilad bore fruit and in October 2011 he was released as part of a prisoner exchange deal. Gilad was warmly welcomed at the B’nai B’rith Europe Young Jewish Adult Forum 2012 event held at the Britannia Hotel in London whose presence among some 200 young Jews from over twenty European countries and dignitaries was the highlight of the weekend. In the course of the evening, Gilad was awarded honorary membership of B’nai B’rith. The occasion was moving and truly memorable to all participants. In the course of Gilad’s stay in London, the organizers have accompanied him to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, where our group was met and welcomed by the Right Honourable Alistair Burt MP, Minister of State for the Middle East.

2.  Centenary dinner of first B’nai B’rith lodge of England on February 11, 2010. The Charter of First Lodge of England was granted by the Constitution Grand Lodge—the ruling body in the USA—on 11th February 2010 and the initial meeting took place on the  19th of February at the Hotel Grand Central,  Marylebone Road, London. Throughout its existence the membership included all well- known and influential figures in the Anglo-Jewish community. One hundred years later the Centenary Dinner Committee was set up to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Lodge. The leadership of the Lodge could not let such an important occasion pass without making the event in the most memorable way. To this end the Committee has arranged for a Gala Dinner to take place at The Great Hall, Lincoln’s Inn on Tuesday, the 11th of  February, 2010. This historical venue was opened by Queen Victoria in 1845 displaying magnificent frescos showing the world’s law-givers from Moses to Edward I. The event was attended by many distinguished guests—among them members of Parliament, dignitaries of both Jewish and non-Jewish civic society. The Chief Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks attended and received a special B’nai B’rith First Lodge Award to mark the community’s appreciation for his years of dedication and service. The profits generated by the souvenir brochure and sponsorship was donated to the Hillel Foundation. The evening was an unforgettable occasion to all 260 guests present.

3.  B’nai B’rith Europe Award of Merit to Dr. Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, bestowed at a gala dinner on March 11, 2008 in Berlin. For details about the event, click here.

Please name three individuals in your area who made a powerful impression on you for the work they did in B’nai B’rith. They may be living or esteemed leaders from the past. Explain your choices.

Fred Worms was an entrepreneur and philanthropist who supported many causes in Britain and Israel was a role- model  of what is best in B’nai B’rith. His earliest qualification was as a chartered accountant but became a successful business man. His car accessory business  employed more than 700 people in four factories in Britain and Australia. The wealth that he accrued allowed him to develop his charitable work. He was the founder and driving force of the B’nai B’rith Housing Association providing homes for the elderly. Fred was the founder of the Jewish Educational Development Trust, the Jewish “public school” Immanuel College and one of the developers of Hillel Foundation which provided accommodation
and other services for Jewish students at University Campuses in part parts of Britain. He was one of the organisers of a restructuring of the Joint Israel Appeal (now UJIA) and served on the Board of Governors of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. He was President of B’nai B’rith First Lodge of England in 1962/63. In 1970 he wrote a book on the “History of the London B’nai B’rith Hillel House”. His work and affiliation with B’nai B’rith International and B’nai B’rith World Centre is well documented. Fred was the embodiment of what B’nai B’rith stands for: Benevolence, Brotherly and Sisterly Love
and Harmony.

Dr. Alan Webber was an illustrious member of B’nai B’rith, president of First Lodge of England between 1994/7 and member of the Council for many years before and after his presidency. Alan has at all times been an inspiring member of our organisation. In 1993 he was commissioned to write a book to mark the 150th Anniversary of the foundation of B’nai B’rith.
He worked together to accomplish this task with Jean-Pierre Attali Vice President of the then District 19, Professor Dr. E. Ehrlich Director of District 19,Dr Harris Schoeneberg Director of the International Council’s UN Office, Walter Schwab, Avigdor Warsha President of BB Israel and many others. His book “B’nai B’rith 150” is an important contribution to the history and spectrum of work undertaken by our Order throughout its existence. Alan’s other book written to mark the centenary of the foundation of the First Lodge of England entitled “First Century—B’nai B’rith First Lodge of England 1910-2010” is a seminal work detailing the numerous humanitarian activities and manifold projects initiated by this distinguished Lodge. Dr. Webber’s dedication to B’nai B’rith was a true inspiration not only for me but to all with whom he had contact.
Following his Aliyah to Israel he is continuing his association with local B’nai B’rith lodges.

I have known Rabbi Bent Melchior from the late 1950s when he came from Copenhagen to London to study for his rabbinical diploma at Jews’ College where I was also a student. His inspiring, genuine individuality and faith in Judaism, devotion to Israel left an indelible mark on me. The first member of the Melchior family came to Denmark in 1720. Bent’s father was the Chief Rabbi of Denmark from 1947-1969 upon whose death he was elected to become the Chief Rabbi of Denmark. Bent became involved in international Jewish and non-Jewish organisations. He was one of the first well known Zionists who had a public debate with an official representative of the Palestine Liberation Organisation in 1988. His humanitarian work was acknowledged by receiving numerous awards and distinctions among them the Knighthood of First Degree in Denmark, honoured by Israel for his services in the War of Independence  (Jerusalem Price in 2006); Doctor of Humane Letters from the Trinity College in Hertford, Connecticut in 1997. In January 1964 he became a member of B’nai B’rith in Copenhagen in the Lodge which his Grandfather had funded. Following the family tradition Bent became Vice-President in 1974, President in 1978-80 and again in 1983-84. He organised the Convention of “District 19 European Continent” in Israel where he was elected President of District 19. He was instrumental and part of the organising team when in 1999 District 15 and District 19 joined forces and established B’nai B’rith Europe. Throughout he was very active in BBI as a member of the Board of Governors. Since 1999 he has been an Hon. Life President of B’nai B’rith Europe. Bent has at all times been active via his association with B’nai B’rith in helping Eastern European Jewish communities and especially the old and holocaust survivors. The project in the Ukraine to feed the hungry and assist them with medical help has continued for many years. In my capacity as Vice-President of B’nai B’rith Europe I worked with Bent for many years. I
admired his wise counsel, his dedication and inspiration to the ideals of our Order. His life and work left a powerful impression on me.

Left to right: Alan Schneider, executive director of the B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem; Ralph Hoffman, president of the B’nai B’rith Frankfurt lodge; Gilad Shalit; Rt. Hon. Alistair Burt, MP; Jean Etherton, president of B’nai B’rith United Kingdom; John Reeves, B’nai B’rith International vice president.

If you would like to share your thoughts about memorable B’nai B’rith milestones and influences on your B’nai B’rith experience, please email them to Steve Smiga, 175th anniversary chair, at drstopdk@gmail.comor toB’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman at charlesok@cs.com.

With B’nai B’rith International’s milestone 175th anniversary occurring this year, we are reminded of what an amazing story we have to tell. Below read about member Jerry Jacob’s most meaningful moments as a B’nai B’rith member. Jerry Jacobs has been a member of B’nai B’rith since 1980.

Please provide three meaningful memorable events that capture the best of B’nai B’rith. The events may be recent or historic.

Project H.O.P.E. Passover food distribution – every year.  Sometimes the recipients are really needy, often Russian immigrants.  They are very appreciative and it is instructive talking to them.  The food really makes a difference to these people.

Unto Every Person There is a Name – reading the names of Holocaust victims at annual Yom HaShoah observances every year.    I supervise the readings in Northern Virginia.  The readers include local politicians, interfaith representatives, B’nai B’rith leaders, audience, and even teenagers.   One reader each year wears an authentic Yellow Star, which belonged to his Aunt who survived a concentration camp.  It is especially moving when he tells the audience about her, and how he continues her memory by reading names annually.  The teenagers are also especially moved by the readings.

Please name three individuals in your area who made a powerful impression on you for the work they did in B’nai B’rith. They may be living or esteemed leaders from the past. Explain your choices.

Arlene O. Smolar z”l and Marilyn Bargteil were professional District Five and Chesapeake Bay Region regional directors during the 1990s and early 21st Century. They had great ideas, vim and vigor, dedication, and were indispensable in assisting our lay leaders to accomplish their programs.  Our District and Region thank them for our successes.

If you would like to share your thoughts about memorable B’nai B’rith milestones and influences on your B’nai B’rith experience, please email them to Steve Smiga, 175th anniversary chair, at drstopdk@gmail.comor toB’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman at charlesok@cs.com.

Thanks to Enrique Jinchuk for taking part, from Harold Steinberg of Memphis, Tennessee, chair of the 175th Anniversary Committee.

With B’nai B’rith International’s milestone 175th anniversary occurring this year, we are reminded of what an amazing story we have to tell. Below read about member Enrique Jinchuk’s most meaningful moments as a B’nai B’rith member.

Please provide three meaningful memorable events that capture the best of B’nai B’rith. The events may be recent or historic.
One of the most memorable moments in our institutional life was BBI’s international convention held in Montevideo, Uruguay, in 2011. It was the first time BBI moved the convention site to another place instead of the United States or Israel.

Another very important moment for B’nai B’rith Uruguay’s district was the birth of our political committee while our country suffered the dictatorship of our military. During this terrible period, our brothers and sisters helped many Jewish Uruguayans held as political hostages. In those days, one of the most important Uruguayan political leaders was helped by Rabbi Morton Rosenthal (director of ADL of B’nai B’rith) and escaped being shot, flying with his family to London.

In year 2008, B’nai B’rith Uruguay started the most important educational program called “Salir Adelante” in order to help Uruguayan public high school students of critical living context to complete their studies and get scholarships for university and part-time jobs.

Please name three individuals in your area who made a powerful impression on you for the work they did in B’nai B’rith. They may be living or esteemed leaders from the past. Explain your choices.
The most important B’nai B’rith Uruguay leaders in my almost fifty years of devoting to this institution were:

Dr. Jacobo Hazan, Z”L
He was the founder of a Jewish-Christian confraternity and worked in our institution for more than fifty years. He was appointed by the State of Israel as the first Israeli Ambassador in Uruguay.

Cr. Maximo Brenner, Z”L
He was B’nai B’rith Uruguay’s president when our country suffered the military dictatorship and was one of the founders of our political unit. When he passed away, his family established the Fraternity Prize in his memory, a very important scholarship in different art fields.

Dr. Eduardo Kohn, executive vice president in District 28 (Uruguay-Paraguay) has provided the support for many leaders and B’nai B’rith Uruguay presidents for many years, and he is still working.

Do you have an interesting memory of B’nai B’rith events, activities or service or recall individuals who made remarkable contributions to the history and values of B’nai B’rith? Please email your descriptive responses and contact information to president@bnaibrith.org.

Thanks to Rich Hollander for taking part, from Harold Steinberg of Memphis, Tennessee, chair of the 175th Anniversary Committee.

With B’nai B’rith International’s milestone 175th anniversary occurring this year, we are reminded of what an amazing story we have to tell. Below read about member Rich Hollander’s most meaningful moments as a B’nai B’rith member.

Please provide three meaningful memorable events that capture the best of B’nai B’rith. The events may be recent or historic.

  • 25th Anniversary of B’nai B’rith and providing food for beautiful here in Fort Worth, Texas.
  • B’nai B’rith being recognized by the United Nations.
  • The opening of the Russian borders for Jews to leave Russia.  

Please name three individuals in your area who made a powerful impression on you for the work they did in B’nai B’rith. They may be living or esteemed leaders from the past. Explain your choices.

  • Harry Kahn – He continued Lodge 269 and the work we do. He never let the Lodge go dormant allowing us to continue today as a vibrant part of the community.
  • Alex Nason – He shows us every day the outcome of the work B’nai B’rith does around the world. If it were not for BBI helping the Russian Jews after WWII we would not have Alex in our community. His family is now a big part of our community with one son a doctor and the other a well regarded computer scientist
  • Gary Dworkin – Gary showed me that kindness and caring can work two ways. By being part of our Lodge, he allowed us to care for him and he cared right back for us.


Do you have an interesting memory of B’nai B’rith events, activities or service or recall individuals who made remarkable contributions to the history and values of B’nai B’rith? Please email your descriptive responses and contact information to president@bnaibrith.org.

Thanks to Kenny Weinberg for taking part, from Harold Steinberg of Memphis, Tennessee, chair of the 175th Anniversary Committee.

With B’nai B’rith International’s milestone 175th anniversary occurring this year, we are reminded of what an amazing story we have to tell. Below read about member Kenny Weinberg’s most meaningful moments as a B’nai B’rith member.

Please provide three meaningful memorable events that capture the best of B’nai B’rith. The events may be recent or historic.

  • The evening I met Herbie Berkowitz at Ahavath Shalom Synagogue in 1980 in Fort Worth when he asked me if I was a Jew and if I had a check that I could write to him before services started for my membership in B’nai B’rith and if I didn’t have a check, he would take cash.
  • The feeling of brotherhood at B’nai B’rith International conventions.
  • Representing B’nai B’rith speaking before the Texas House of Representatives about hate and the passage of the Texas Hate Crime Legislation, HB1777.

Please name three individuals in your area who made a powerful impression on you for the work they did in B’nai B’rith. They may be living or esteemed leaders from the past. Explain your choices.

  • The late Herbie Berkowitz, Leroy Solomon and Dr. Ron Stocker who made a difference in every life they touched, who were role models and giants of B’nai B’rith.


Do you have an interesting memory of B’nai B’rith events, activities or service or recall individuals who made remarkable contributions to the history and values of B’nai B’rith? Please email your descriptive responses and contact information to president@bnaibrith.org.

Kenny Weinberg on the bottom row, third from left.