In the spring, B’nai B’rith met with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay urging, among other priorities, a decisive response to the UNESCO-endorsed Aalst Carnival in Belgium, which was again marred by displays of crude anti-Semitic motifs. B’nai B’rith leaders also met with dozens of ambassadors to UNESCO and other U.N. bodies.

B’nai B’rith made contributions to a U.N. report on global anti-Semitism – and was cited by participating officials in a rare U.N. General Assembly “informal” session on anti-Semitism worldwide.

B’nai B’rith France calls attention to anti-Semitism in schools

Through our partnership with AJIRI (the American Jewish International Relations Institute), we have worked tirelessly to combat the powerful anti-Israel propaganda apparatus that functions under the auspices of the United Nations. We have focused particularly on two resolutions of the U.N. General Assembly that promote a radical anti-Israel agenda and constitute a clear obstacle to the achievement of a two-state solution. These are the resolutions that re-authorize, year after year, the funding and mandate of the “Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People” (CEIRPP) and the “Division for Palestinian Rights” (DPR).  Under the provisions of these resolutions, the U.N. endorses the “Right of Return,” the Palestinian demand for Israel to admit the mass immigration of 5.5 million Arabs of Palestinian descent from adjacent territories, thus creating an Arab majority in Israel and ending the existence of the State of Israel.  This year, our efforts had a real impact in the way that several European and Latin American countries voted at the General Assembly, and the international support for these resolutions was significantly reduced. We will continue to work on this issue until these very detrimental resolutions are finally defeated.

In June, following B’nai B’rith Canada’s tireless advocacy efforts, the government of Canada formally adopted the important International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism – ensuring that all forms of anti-Jewish hatred and discrimination are properly recognized for what they are.

Expressing Concern Over anti-Semitism Before French elections

In October, B’nai B’rith Canada discovered that a popular parliamentary candidate in Montreal had a shocking and little-known history of spreading anti-Jewish and anti-Israel conspiracy theories on social media and on the radio. Thanks to B’nai B’rith Canada’s efforts, his party promptly rescinded his candidacy within hours of our press release – barring him from gaining political power.

European Days of Jewish Culture

A celebration of Jewish culture was proudly displayed from September to mid-October, with the support of B’nai B’rith lodges across Europe in Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, North Macedonia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and  United Kingdom.

The fundamental objective of this European collaboration is to highlight the diversity and richness of Judaism, with the intention of promoting dialogue, mutual recognition and exchange through conferences, concerts, performances, guided tours and other activities.

As a main actor of AEJP (European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage), B’nai B’rith Europe supports the preservation, appreciation and promotion of Jewish culture and Jewish heritage in Europe. Through this association, B’nai B’rith Europe encourages Jewish sites to present Judaism to the wider community with its educational, social and cultural programs. This goal is notably achieved through its leading program, the European Days of Jewish Culture and Heritage.

On Jewish Culture and Heritage Days, selected synagogues and Jewish historic sites are open to the general public and related events including guided walks and exhibitions take place.

Exhibition “France and the contributions of Jewish cultures from 1791 to the present day”

In a still very difficult context for the Jewish community of France, the national office of B’nai B’rith France has in 2019 maintained its priority on political action and was particularly mobilized against anti-Semitism, anti-Zionism, BDS and the defense of the values of the Republic, including secularism. This action has led to public positions, numerous contacts at all levels with decision-makers, a very active communication policy aimed at enhancing B’nai B’rith France’s visibility, particularly on social networks and the use of B’nai B’rith’s traditional platforms to convey the necessary messages.

The national culture commission of B’nai B’rith France organized in September a large exhibition on the theme “France and the contributions of Jewish cultures from 1791 to the present day.” The inauguration of the exhibition took place Sept. 11 at the town hall of the 16th arrondissement of Paris in the presence of many elected officials and officials of Jewish institutions in France. Through this exhibition, B’nai B’rith France wanted to testify to the fidelity and commitment of the French Jews to France and the Republic and to honor many of these French Jews who have left their mark on the history and destiny of France. This fidelity and commitment have contributed to the history of France, its successes and its influence. This exhibition of pedagogical and educational virtues is open to all citizens, as a testimony and an illumination of our history and our common values, which are the basis of the unity and strength of our society. After being presented in Paris, this exhibition will tour across many regions throughout 2020.

B’nai B’rith On Capitol Hill

B’nai B’rith advocated for a range of international and domestic concerns on Capitol Hill this year, meeting and corresponding frequently with Senate and House offices on issues such as anti-Semitism, justice for Holocaust survivors, property restitution for Middle Eastern Jewish refugees, foreign aid and a variety of issues of great concern to seniors. Our Director of Legislative Affairs Eric Fusfield also confronted state officials and university administrators on the subject of anti-Semitism in academia.

B’nai B’rith International has a full-time presence in Brussels, the home of the European Union, where we advocate for Jewish issues at European institutions in Brussels and work to strengthen EU-Israel relations.

Conference: Holocaust Remembrance Day – Anti-Semitism, Past and Present

For International Holocaust Remembrance Day, B’nai B’rith organized, in partnership with the Permanent Mission of Israel to the European Union and NATO, the Permanent Mission of the Federal Republic of Germany to the EU, the Konrad Adenauer Institute and the AJC Transatlantic Institute the conference “Holocaust Remembrance Day – Anti-Semitism, Past and Present. Following remarks by Heinz K. Becker, MEP (EPP) and Helga Trüpel, MEP (The Greens/EFA), a lively panel discussion took place between Deborah Feldman, New York Times bestselling author; and Richard C. Schneider, editor-at-large German ARD TV, publicist and author; and moderated by Laura Cazes, ZWST project coordinator.

Guests were able to visit an exhibit of anti-Semitic propaganda collected by Holocaust survivor Arthur Langerman following the event.

High-level EU Council Conference: “The Fight against anti-Semitism: a common approach to better protect Jewish communities in Europe – from policy to action”

In February, B’nai B’rith International was part of the high-level conference “The Fight against anti-Semitism: a common approach to better protect Jewish communities in Europe – from policy to action,” organized by the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU, in Brussels. B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin spoke on the main panel, alongside Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă, First Vice-President of the European Commission Frans Timmermans and representatives of major Jewish organizations.

Mariaschin emphasized the need for countering Israel delegitimization and anti-Semitism stemming from anti-Israel sentiment. He called for concrete actions in the fields of security and education and stressed the importance of partnerships between decision-makers and civil society.

On the sidelines of the event, Mariaschin met with Dăncilă.

The event was moderated by B’nai B’rith’s current Director of EU Affairs Alina Bricman, at the time in her previous capacity outside the organization.

Student Seminar in Brussels

B’nai B’rith International co-sponsored the fifth edition of the European Union of Jewish Students (EUJS) EU Activism Seminar in February, which brought 20 Jewish students and young leaders from across Europe to Brussels for a five-day seminar on Jewish advocacy.

The student group got an exclusive look inside the advocacy work of B’nai B’rith within EU institutions and met with high-level officials at the European Parliament and the European Commission, including Commissioner for Justice Věra Jourová, members of the European Parliament from across the political spectrum, the Israeli Mission to the EU and NATO and the European External Action Service.

Participation in the European-Israel Congress

B’nai B’rith International was part of the first- ever European-Israel Congress in Frankfurt, Germany. Alina Bricman, our director of EU affairs, was among the professionals, lay leaders and key activists that convened to exchange ideas and develop joint strategies for Israel advocacy. In this context, we commended Ambassador Richard Grenell, the ambassador of the United States to Germany, and Uwe Becker, state commissioner on combatting anti-Semitism in Hessen, for their steadfast commitment to Israel and the Jewish people, their sophisticated understanding of the hazardous effects of BDS and their clear acknowledgment of the security threat posed by Iran.

Presentation for the International Council of Jewish Women

Our Director of EU Affairs Alina Bricman spoke to the International Council of Jewish Women at the group’s 16th annual conference, in Athens this November. She spoke about the state of Jewish advocacy in the EU, major achievements that can now serve as tools to address anti-Semitism, and frontiers for future action. She also addressed the often-lacking gender balance within Jewish organizations and explored the extent to which more gender balance would be reflected in organizational agendas.   

High-Level Conference: After Halle, From Words to Action Against Anti-Semitism

Berlin Conference

As part of a series of conferences, B’nai B’rith Europe President Serge Dahan, along with B’nai B’rith German lodges, organized a meeting and discussion in Berlin to address the future of Jewish life in Europe. B’nai B’rith Europe presented a new Facing Facts online course on anti-Semitic bias indicators developed by CEJI – a Jewish Contribution to an Inclusive Europe, for law enforcement agencies and civil society organizations that are involved in the monitoring and recording of anti-Semitic hate crimes. This course, co-sponsored by B’nai B’rith Europe, aims to improve the understanding and identifying of anti-Semitic hate crimes and the needs of victim communities through four highly interactive modules.  

Interfaith Leadership

We work with other faith-based organizations to encourage a system of religious tolerance. This includes constant vigilance to ensure Israel is not misrepresented. To that end, we speak out against anti-Israel resolutions that have become more common at some religious organizations, academic institutions and in the business world.  

B’nai B’rith Australia and New Zealand wrote to leaders of the Islamic faith and to the mayor of Christchurch to express their horror at the terror attacks at two mosques. We sent our deepest condolences to the families affected by this horrific attack and to all the people of New Zealand.

The hatred that inspired this contemptible act is an increasingly growing problem in far too many parts of the world. It has only been a little over a year since the American Jewish community suffered a similar tragedy at Pittsburgh. Our community is still shaken to the core by that attack. To see nationalist extremism strike again – this time against Muslim congregants in New Zealand – is distressing for us and for all people of conscience. The only way to defeat hateful ideologies is to confront them head on.

Diplomats: Up Close

At our Diplomatic Encounter series, hosted in our Washington, D.C. headquarters, guests hear directly from ambassadors about his or her country’s interactions with Israel and the United States.

Latin America: A Vital Partner

Since our first lodge launched in Latin America in 1926 in Panama City, Panama, B’nai B’rith has maintained a strong presence across the region, which enables us to closely follow the most important developments across the region and advocate for policies and programs that positively impact the local Jewish population and Israel. We partner with other organizations to ensure such topics as anti-Semitism and Holocaust education are a focus at the governmental and local agency levels.   

Through our districts and units in Latin America, we have continued to fight anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias. We have also continued to raise awareness about the presence of Hezbollah operatives in the region and to demand justice for the victims of the Iranian-backed 1994 terrorist attack against the AMIA building in Buenos Aires.

We have followed Venezuela’s increasingly tragic situation and kept in close contact with the local Jewish community. At the initiative of the leaders of B’nai B’rith Argentina, we have also provided medicines and basic medical supplies to Venezuelan refugees fleeing to Colombia.

Kristallnacht Commemoration in Latin America

In Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Uruguay and Venezuela, B’nai B’rith held remembrance programs marking the 81st anniversary of Kristallnacht.

Cuba Outreach – Cuba Jewish Relief Project

Our Cuban Jewish Relief Project has provided vital aid to the small Jewish community in Cuba since 1995. Our disaster relief team continues to endeavor to assist Cubans impacted by a series of hurricanes in 2018. Program Director for Strategic Engagement in our International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy Sienna Girgenti continues to work with the Cuban Jewish community.