Launch of B’nai B’rith Alliance

The first convention of the B’nai B’rith Alliance (BBA)—a new district that includes B’nai B’rith members in Northern, Central and Southern Europe, took place in Berlin Oct. 26 and Oct. 27.

This launch of a new district of B’nai B’rith in Europe is the result of a process that took several years to complete and included consultations with the leadership of B’nai B’rith International, as well as with representatives of the European lodges on the ground.

The new district will be functioning next to B’nai B’rith UK and B’nai B’rith France and includes lodges from about 25 countries, which are organized in five regions: The Balkans, Scandinavia, Central Europe, the Mediterranean and the German/Dutch-speaking region.

B’nai B’rith Alliance Kick-Off Convention

Participants from 20 countries attended the convention, along with a board member from B’nai B’rith Israel. A senior B’nai B’rith delegation participated in the convention, headed by international President Robert Spitzer and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin.

After the greeting by Michael Naor as co-host and one of the organizers, Spitzer spoke to the more than 90 persons present and outlined the challenges B’nai B’rith is dealing with.

Spitzer then installed the new Executive Board of the B’nai B’rith Alliance: Solomon Bali from Bulgaria as president, Ariela Cassuto from Italy as vice president in charge of international relations, Michael Naor from Germany as vice president in charge of strategy and organization, Gunnar Bjork from Denmark as secretary-general and Tomaś Kraus as treasurer.

Joschka Fischer, former vice-chancellor and foreign minister of Germany, gave a keynote speech in which he sketched quite a bleak picture of the geo-strategic state of the current world.

During a festive dinner the participants had the chance to interact and exchange ideas.

B’nai B’rith Alliance Convention: Connecting with B’nai B’rith Israel

The second day of the convention was opened by Richard Stern, president of the Berlin Lodge and co-organizer of the conference, followed by a video greeting from Alan Schneider, director of the B’nai B’rith world Center-Jerusalem. Elise Shazar, attending from Israel, gave a presentation about B’nai B’rith Israel’s structure and activities. In the subsequent discussion a pledge has been made to intensify connections and outreach with Israel.

Concluding Sessions

In a session dedicated to the issue of anti-Semitism and the fight against it, B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin gave an impressive speech about rising anti-Semitism worldwide, especially since Oct. 7, 2023.

The CEO of the Central Council of the Jews in Germany (“Zentralrat”) Daniel Botmann discussed the situation in Germany. He also briefed the group about some successes on the legal and political level.

Two lively sessions filled the afternoon. The first dealt with structural issues of the new district of the B’nai B’rith Alliance, including installation of the standing committees, finance, as well as constitutional issues.

In the last session of the convention the representatives of the single lodges shared details about their situation and proposed ideas for projects and activities. Bali, the new B’nai B’rith Alliance president, then closed the convention.

During the concluding dinner, participants expressed their conviction of a good start for the district and their gratitude to the organizers.

Once again, the great advantages of B’nai B’rith prevailed: Consistent commitment and international networking.