Traveling the world on behalf of B'nai B'rith International (BBI) is the privilege of the international president — and the responsibility.

Why is travel so important? It is imperative that we bring the message of our work to B'nai B'rith members, to Jews, and to non-Jews around the world. We also must make foreign leaders and governments aware of our concerns and interests. Although immediate results may not be apparent, we are making an important investment in building a better world for the Jewish and non-Jewish communities of the world.

Investment is a key reason I travel as well: to seek financial and philosophical buy-in from members and supporters of BBI. I am on a mission to try to change the BBI culture from an organization based on praiseworthy humanitarian deeds to one that does activist work on the ground, around the world, in support of Israel and Jews everywhere. And for this, you need financial support.

Fundraising is the number-one priority on my administrative agenda. I ask people to financially support our organization because I know first-hand the value we bring to the protection of human rights and human freedoms, and the protection of free press and human dignities for all communities around the globe, not only the Jewish community.

B'nai B'rith is represented—and respected—in 18 (soon to be 19) countries of Latin America; we are valued by elected officials at the municipal, regional, state, and national levels. They look to us as a valued and accredited member of civil society at the Organization of American States (OAS), where we were the first Jewish organization to achieve accredited observer status.

In November 2007, I attended the annual commemoration of Kristallnacht in Uruguay. The B'nai B'rith auditorium was filled to capacity with 600 people. Senators, congressmen, municipal officers, members of the Jewish community, and, indeed, the sitting president of Uruguay and two immediate past presidents were in attendance. B'nai B'rith Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin eloquently delivered the keynote address to thunderous applause.

While there, Dan and I had an opportunity to once again renew the relationship between B'nai B'rith International and Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez Rosas, who reminded us of the strength of B'nai B'rith in Latin America. We also traveled to Porto Alegre, Brazil, a community without the presence of B'nai B'rith leadership for more than eight years. Dan and I were greeted by more than 200 Jewish community members and leaders who attended the gathering to get a briefing from Dan and me. This is the strength of B'nai B'rith in Latin America!

Also in November of 2007, I traveled to Mexico, where I had the occasion to celebrate 75 years of BBI history there. The Mexican leadership scheduled three visits for me to meet and talk with government officials. At each meeting, we discussed the need for a Holocaust remembrance program, with the occasion being commemorated at the highest level of government in Mexico City.

While there, I asked one of our lay leaders to schedule fundraising appointments. This, right after he made his gift commitment to me because he understood the need to keep our programs and services alive. And, indeed, at the end of January 2008, I returned to Mexico City when the BBI Holocaust initiative became a reality.

This overwhelming attendance by B'nai B'rith leadership and communal leadership is duplicated in many of the countries of Latin America. So, when people ask why I spend so much time continuing to develop relationships with our BBI community on the ground in Latin America, the reasons are clear: The Latin American Jewish community embraces the work of BBI and continues to see that it makes an impact on the quality of life for all people.  

I know of no other way to create culture change within BBI and support this change than through my travel and outreach to our overseas membership. Everyone in business knows it takes money to make money. In addition, it takes people of vision and hope to change the culture of our organization so we may enjoy vigorous growth over the next 10 years.

I have had the opportunity of late to visit Europe, when B'nai B'rith opened a new office in Brussels. We had an attendance of about 200 people at the grand opening celebration, and the accolades paid to us by Israeli dignitaries, and indeed by members of the European parliament, would have made the proudest lodge member kvell with pride.

From Brussels, I traveled to Düsseldorf, Germany, where we celebrated 50 years of B'nai B'rith history. We met the leadership of B'nai B'rith Europe (BBE). Many of the young and vibrant members expressed enthusiasm for strengthening BBE and increasing Israel activism, fighting antisemitism, and supporting our work in Latin America, while learning first-hand about the BBI global agenda. They are proud to be part of our worldwide organization because of the work we continue to do after 165 years.

I travel outside the United States to listen to our constituency, to be an ambassador for our mission, to talk about the need for our brothers and sisters to support B'nai B'rith financially, and to understand we are, indeed, our brother's keeper. In my humble opinion, we must continue to support our global infrastructure in more than 50 countries around the world.

B'nai B'rith is my passion. Keeping the Jewish community safe and secure is my passion. Keeping Israel free from harm's way is my passion.

I am asking all of you to embrace this new BBI culture and vision, and take the phrase "we are our brother's keeper" to heart. Let us use it as a model to spread the 165-year legacy of BBI not only to the more than 50 countries around the globe where BBI has members and supporters on the ground, but to the ever-shrinking global community in which we all live.

Some may think I should curtail my travel. I'd ask you to give it some thought. Given the task, shouldn't the international president of B'nai B'rith go where he can make the most significant impact in promoting our mission and helping our world?