B’nai B’rith has been distributing funds and providing people-power in the wake of natural disasters since 1865.   

In 2019, we distributed donations we collected in the immediate aftermath of the 2018 attack on the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh that left 11 people dead. After choosing to focus on the mental health needs of the community, B’nai B’rith allocated funds to support programs administered by the Jewish Family and Children Services (JFCS) of Pittsburgh, including ongoing support groups to assist with treatment of trauma. JFCS will run projects for youth and teens through the schools, including an art therapy program professionally staffed to provide art services and traditional psychotherapy. There will also be programs for seniors and young professionals.

The B’nai B’rith fund will also support a program to assist first responders coordinated by the Police Benevolent Fund. A symbolic tribute to victims from the congregations worshipping at the Tree of Life Synagogue building at the time of the attack (Or L’Simcha, Dor Hadash and New Light) will be made to Tree of Life.

B’nai B’rith Senior Vice President and Disaster Relief Chair Rebecca Saltzman and Executive Board of Directors member and Pittsburgh native Steve Smiga, who serves as regional president; presented a check for $25,600 at the Jewish Family and Community Services of Pittsburgh (JFCS). B’nai B’rith members from the Aaron Grossman Lodge of the Allegheny Ohio Valley region also attended the ceremony.

Also in 2019, B’nai B’rith opened a fund to assist those impacted by Hurricane Dorian, a powerful Category 3 storm that hit the Bahamas and the southeastern United States.   

The B’nai B’rith Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund presented a $1,500 check to leaders in Germantown, Tennessee, which had experienced severe flooding over the summer. Joel Turetzky and the leadership of B’nai B’rith’s Sam Schloss Lodge #35 in Tennessee raised the money that made this possible

The Disaster Relief Fund, in conjunction with the Chef José Andrés charity, World Central Kitchen, sponsored a day of service during a B’nai B’rith Senior Housing meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Our team volunteered at an organic farm in the mountains outside of San Juan, helping to plant vegetable seedlings and packing produce to be distributed to the community.   

The Bushfires in Australia

Since late October 2019, Australia has experienced catastrophic bushfires in the Eastern States of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria, covering some 25 million acres, which is about 75 percent of the size of the United Kingdom.

More than a half billion wild animals have perished, at least 24 people have died and some 2,000 homes have been destroyed by the fires.

The Australian spirit of support has been truly at the forefront with donations of millions of dollars as well as clothing, food, housing and emotional support. Large cash donations have also been forthcoming from international musicians and sports stars. B’nai B’rith has also raised a considerable amount of money for the victims