B'nai B'rith International (BBI) and the B'nai B'rith Chesapeake Bay Region honored the Embassy of Israel on Sept. 9 for its vital contribution to the American Jewish community, as part of ongoing celebrations of Israel's 60th anniversary.
The event, "The Unbroken Covenant," which was held at the embassy, also recognized B'nai B'rith's 165th anniversary and 120 years of B'nai B'rith presence in Israel.
Israel's Ambassador to the United States Sallai Meridor expressed gratitude to B'nai B'rith for its strong support of Israel and for the work it continues to do on Israel's behalf.
"[You] share with us 
the great joy of Israel's 60th anniversary, but [also] what you are doing day in and day out, for Jews worldwide, and for the core center, the heart of the Jewish people, the state of Israel," Meridor said. "Thanks for dedicating your lives to the future of the Jewish people."
BBI Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin presented Meridor with a photograph of U.S. President Harry S Truman, B'nai B'rith member Eddie Jacobson, BBI EVP Maurice Bisguyer, and BBI past President Frank Goldman in appreciation of the cooperation between the Embassy of Israel and B'nai B'rith over the years. The photograph captures the moment when Truman declared the de jure recognition of the state of Israel by the United States on Jan. 31, 1949 (De facto recognition by the U.S. of Israel occurred on May 14, 1948). This serves as acknowledgement of the crucial role B'nai B'rith played in Israel's history.
"Mr. Ambassador, with appreciation from B'nai B'rith International for all that you do, the staff does, and of course the State of Israel means so much to us, we make this presentation to you on this special occasion honoring Israel's 60th anniversary," Mariaschin said.
BBI Honorary President Kent Schiner greeted attendees. "On behalf of [current BBI President] Moishe Smith, we are very thrilled that we are all together today to be able to celebrate Israel's 60th birthday and B'nai B'rith's 165th birthday," Schiner said.
Richard Heideman, also an honorary president of BBI, stated, "We gather tonight to recognize, to truly celebrate 165 years of important Jewish history." He continued, "Establishing hospitals…establishing children's homes…B'nai B'rith was not only there, B'nai B'rith was on the ground with real, live leadership, doing the important work in the good name of the Jewish people."
Benton Mirman, chair of the BBI Delegation to the World Zionist Organization, served as chair of the planning committee for the evening's programming. The event included Jewish music and food, and displays which depicted the timeline of B'nai B'rith's history in Israel.
