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Longtime B'nai B'rith Cuba Leader Isaac Rousso Dies
B'nai B'rith International Mourns Loss of Tireless Leader
B'nai B'rith International mourns the loss of Isaac Rousso, the longtime leader of the Maimonides Lodge in Cuba, who died Monday at the age of 70 after a long battle with cancer.
Rousso had been active in B'nai B'rith since 1952 and served as president from 2000 until now. He also served as treasurer from 1952-1956. Through Rousso's perseverance over the last decade, the lodge grew from a handful of members to 78 – a stunning achievement in a nation with only 1,500 Jews. Rousso's efforts helped make B'nai B'rith the largest international Jewish organization in Cuba.
Stanley Cohen, the international president of the B'nai B'rith Cuban Relief Project, has made nearly 40 trips to Cuba since 1995 and worked closely with Rousso. "Isaac was B'nai B'rith," Cohen said. "No matter what needed to be done, he made sure it was done. He was the one to make sure each project was administered successfully."
Cohen added, "He was the most supportive person and helped to make the B'nai B'rith Cuban Jewish Relief Project a major, major success in Cuba. This is a tremendous loss to me personally and to the community. But Isaac has left his mark on so many people there, that we will have little problem continuing all the projects he started."
Rousso spearheaded B'nai B'rith efforts in Cuba to help impoverished families. And he was an active organizer of a project that brought much-needed medicine to Jews and non-Jews throughout the country.
Rousso is survived by his wife and two daughters. Any messages of condolence for Rousso's family can be sent to Stanley Cohen. Please email him at: Bbrelief@earthlink.net and he will be sure to get the messages to the family.
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