Israel

The first B’nai B’rith lodge in Israel was established in 1888. Now there are approximately 70 lodges, organized into regional councils.  Each lodge plans its own activities, some include: helping schools, kindergartens, hospitals' clubs for the blind, and recent immigrants; delivering food and clothes to needy people; providing housing for soldiers who have completed military service and wish to attend college; organizing Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations for boys and girls from deprived families; and assisting special scholarship programs and institutes for special education. Some lodges have kitchens that daily serve hundreds of meals to the needy.

In Haifa, B'nai B'rith Israel sponsors a Parents Home, which provides housing for needy senior citizens.

> Read the Center Stage e-newsletter from the B'nai B'rith World Center - Jerusalem

B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem

The B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem is the hub of B'nai B'rith International activities in Israel.  The Center serves as the key link between Israel and B'nai B'rith members and supporters around the world.

Through educational programs and well-established relationships with political leaders of all parties, the diplomatic corps, and leading academic institutions, the World Center works to strengthen Israel-Diaspora relations and interprets developments concerning the Jewish state for our members and supporters around the world.

The establishment of the World Center was B'nai B'rith's answer to United Nations Security Council Resolution 478 that in August 1980 called on all member states to remove their diplomatic missions from Jerusalem. Established that same summer, the World Center is an ongoing expression of B'nai B'rith's active commitment to the State of Israel.

In advancing its mission, the World Center:
  • Promotes B'nai B'rith International's public affairs agenda through contacts with Israeli-elected representatives, government officials, and the foreign diplomatic corps in Israel
  • Furthers the fight against antisemitism by providing insight into trends and dangers
  • Contributes to the strengthening of Israel-Diaspora relations through educational programs, awards, seminars and missions, and by reporting on developments and trends in Israel
  • Conducts programs designed to fortify Israel's sovereignty in Jerusalem
  • Cooperates with local academic and civic organizations on various projects
  • Enhances Israel's image by hosting artists, experts, and personalities from abroad.

The Unbroken Covenant

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This booklet tells the remarkable and little-known story of B'nai B'rith in Eretz Yisrael from its beginnings in the last decade of the 19th century until the period following the founding of the state. It is a story of dogged determination to form a community of activists who would drive a movement toward Jewish revival in the Land of Israel, supported by B'nai B'rith members in other countries. View the booklet below (PDF documents):

> Introduction (pages 1-3)
> The Early Years; The Revival of Hebrew; Hebrew for Tots (Pages 4-8)
> The Abarbanel Library; The Settlement of Motza (Pages 9-12)
> B'nai B'rith and the Gates of Zion; Other Initiatives (Pages 13-14)
> Changing Focus: B'nai B'rith after World War I; The Establishment of the State of Israel (Pages 15-22)
> Afterward (Pages 23-26)

2012 B'nai B'rith International Policy Conference Presentation

Hosted in Washington, DC, USA.
> Read the Policy Conference comments from the B'nai B'rith World Center

30 years of the B’nai B’rith World Center – Jerusalem

Contact Us

For additional information, see the B'nai B'rith Israel website, www.bnaibrith.org.il or contact:

B'nai B'rith World Center - Jerusalem
22 King David Street
Jerusalem 91074
Phone: 972-2-625-1743
Fax: 972-2-625-8097
Email:  worldcenter@bnaibrith.org

B'nai B'rith Israel
10 Kaplan Street
Tel Aviv 64734
Phone: 972-3-691-8289
Fax: 972-3-695-5847
Email: bneibis@zahav.net.il