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Special Insights from Ambassador Dennis Ross on Current Peace Prospects

In commemoration of B’nai B’rith International’s 170th anniversary, the  fall issue of B’nai B’rith Magazine is devoted entirely to an examination of the organization’s history, present-day works and future.

As one of the most ardent supporters of Israel, B’nai B’rith monitors the prospects for peace between Israelis and Palestinians and advocates in support of a peaceful solution that ensures the security of the Jewish state. Despite all the roadblocks to peace, Ambassador Dennis Ross, who has served as the U.S. Middle East Envoy in both Republican and Democratic administrations, offers a roadmap for both Israelis and Palestinians to overcome mistrust and work toward a tangible, lasting peace. As talks between Israelis and Palestinians have resumed for the first time in three years, Ross’s prescription for peace outlines a 16-point agenda for negotiations. Acknowledging the seeming intransigence of the issue, Ross maintains that peace is within reach and now is the time for Israelis and Palestinians to seize it.

Looking forward, B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin examines the most pressing challenges and threats facing the global Jewish community and what can be done about them. From grappling with Jewish demographic issues to addressing the need for Jewish literacy and Zionist education, Mariaschin anticipates problems of the future by offering solutions that can be implemented today. B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs examines the organization’s future by way of looking at its past. Jacobs says those lessons which B’nai B’rith has learned throughout its 170-year history will serve the organization well as it continues to adapt to the changing demands of the time.

Historian Cornelia Wilhelm takes readers back to 1843 and the founding of the Independent Order of B’nai B’rith at Sinsheimer’s Café on the Lower East Side of New York. As immigrants, the founders of B’nai B’rith and members during the early years of the organization were committed to maintaining their Jewish identity while serving their new country as model citizens. And writer Cheryl Kempler explores the golden years of B’nai B’rith under the leadership of Henry Monsky, who served as president from 19381947.

Elsewhere in the magazine, Mark D. Olshan, B’nai B’rith International associate executive vice president and director of the Center for Senior Services; Rachel Goldberg, B’nai B’rith International director of aging policy; and Janel Doughten, B’nai B’rith International associate director of the Center for Senior Services, detail how B’nai B’rith first got involved with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and senior housing in the 1970s to become the largest national Jewish sponsor of HUD-assisted senior housing in the country.

In addition to exploring B’nai B’rith’s commitment to offering quality, affordable housing to low-income seniors so they can age with dignity, the fall issue details B’nai B’rith’s commitment to disaster relief and its regional offices around the globe, including Latin America, Australia and Canada.

Read all this and more in the special 170th anniversary-commemorative issue of B’nai B’rith Magazine: http://mydigimag.rrd.com/publication/?i=169518.