B'NAI B'RITH IN YOUR COMMUNITY AND AROUND THE GLOBE
SPRING 2026
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Welcome to IMPACT!
- As Middle East Hostilities Intensify, B’nai B’rith Advocates in Geneva and Paris
- Trilateral Mission Explores Cooperation Between Israel, Cyprus and Greece
- Wishing Berakha ve’hatzlakha (Blessing and Success) to B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin
- Four Decades of Philanthropy: Harold Miller
- B’nai B’rith Honors Holocaust Remembrance Day in Europe and the U.S.
- B’nai B’rith Essay Contest Calls on College Students to Share Experiences of Anti-Semitism on Campus
- Connecting Through Meaningful Activities
- Center for Senior Services Programs Enhance Life for Building Residents
- Applications for Sally and George Schneider Scholarship Now Being Accepted
- B’nai B’rith Israel Continues to Expand its Horizons
- Upstander Award Recipients January – March 2026
- Remembering Bondi Beach
- Sign up for B’nai B’rith’s Newsletters!
- Music, Drama and Art Bring B’nai B’rith Members Together
- Latin American Journalists Mission Focuses on Combating Misinformation About Israel
- The B’nai B’rith Podcast: Conversations with B’nai B’rith
- Amplify Pro-Israel Voices — Join the Spark Activist App Today
- A Season of Giving for Local Lodges
- Backstory
Welcome to IMPACT!
The spring issue of IMPACT showcases the extraordinary reach and relevance of B’nai B’rith—across the United States and around the globe.
In these pages, you’ll travel with us from communities throughout the United States, where our leaders and volunteers are meeting with policymakers, helping in their communities, strengthening Jewish life and standing firmly against anti-Semitism. You’ll also see our international presence in action—from ongoing advocacy and solidarity work in Israel to meaningful engagement in Australia, Paris, Geneva, Greece and Cyprus.
Throughout this issue, you’ll read how B’nai B’rith is advocating, educating and building partnerships. We are confronting rising anti-Semitism, strengthening alliances and ensuring that Jewish voices are heard at the highest levels of international diplomacy and local leadership alike.
This issue reflects more than activity—it reflects our IMPACT. It demonstrates how a 183-year-old organization continues to adapt, respond and lead in a complex and challenging moment. Wherever Jewish communities face challenges or opportunities, B’nai B’rith is there—engaged, effective and making a difference.
We invite you to see all this IMPACT unfold in the pages ahead.
The IMPACT staff
Sharon Bender
Vice President, Communications
Cheryl Kempler
Editor and staff writer,
B’nai B’rith Magazine
Editor, B’nai B’rith IMPACT
B’nai B’rith Archivist
Simeon Montesa
Graphic Design Director
Keren Peter
Media Relations Associate/
B’nai B’rith Magazine Deputy Editor
As Middle East Hostilities Intensify, B’nai B’rith Advocates in Geneva and Paris
Delegation Engages with New Egyptian UNESCO Chief and Speaks at Human Rights Council on Iran Offenses
(standing, second from left).
A B’nai B’rith International leadership delegation has conducted a marathon of meetings with ambassadors in Geneva and Paris to advocate for the Jewish people as the United States and Israel press ahead in an unprecedented military confrontation with Iran. The nearly 60 meetings with senior diplomats from around the globe took place during the main yearly session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) and in the run-up to a session of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Over the course of the week, led by B’nai B’rith International President Robert B Spitzer and CEO Daniel S Mariaschin, the organization’s representatives from multiple countries descended on the two European U.N. hubs to underscore the genuine impediments to peace in the Middle East, demand an end to singular mistreatment of the Jewish state at the world body and urge action against a frightening wave of global anti-Semitism.
B’nai B’rith advocates in these and other U.N. settings on communal priorities every year, but the effort has taken on exceptional urgency by the current geopolitical conditions. On this visit, leaders of the delegation met with new UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany of Egypt—who now heads an agency that has been responsible for preserving heritage sites and undertaken efforts, some in cooperation with B’nai B’rith and other Jewish groups, to combat anti-Semitism online and through education, and to promote Holocaust remembrance.
Trilateral Mission Explores Cooperation Between Israel, Cyprus and Greece
B’nai B’rith International leaders including President Robert Spitzer and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin joined executives from the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA)—Greek American philanthropies advocating on behalf of Greece, its culture and heritage—in engaging with high-ranking government and military officials during the 6th Trilateral Leadership Mission to Israel, the Republic of Cyprus and Greece. The program, initiated by the three groups and the Conference of Presidents in 2014, occurred this year in late February.
As in past missions, the delegation had a firsthand look at the progress of major economic, energy, defense and security initiatives resulting from partnerships forged by the three countries. Organized by the B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem, the Israel portion of the trip included briefings with Greek, Cypriot and Israeli officers serving at the Civil-Military Coordination Center, as well as conferences with the nation’s important leaders including President Isaac Herzog. Mission participants attended official receptions at the Cypriot and Greek embassies; a special meeting was arranged with U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee.
Delegation members also visited the parents of Greek-Israeli terrorist victim Ionas Karussis.
The schedule in Greece included meetings with Minister of National Defense Nikolaos Dendias; National Security Advisor Dr. Thanos Dokos; Deputy Minister of Tourism Anna Karmanli; Deputy Foreign Minister Ioannis Loverdos; and Israel Ambassador Noam Katz. Delegates were briefed at Greek Army headquarters by senior members of the general staff and visited the special forces training center in Nea Peramos, for land, sea and air exercises. B’nai B’rith leaders also were the guests of Athens’ century-old B’nai B’rith Philon Lodge at a special event.
In Cyprus, the final destination, mission delegates conferred with Minister of Energy and Commerce Michael Damianos and other top cabinet members and exchanged views with Ambassador of the State of Israel to Cyprus Oren Anolik.
B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin observed: “At a time when Greece, Cyprus, and Israel are working even more closely together to promote peace and stability in the eastern Mediterranean, our joint visit was both timely and appreciated. We look forward to further cooperation with our friends in the Hellenic American community on issues high up on our mutual agendas.”
FROM THE PRESIDENT
News from the Office of the President
President, B’nai B’rith International
There’s a Chinese expression, “Better to be a dog in times of tranquility than a human in times of chaos.” Our world presents new and challenging forms of mayhem every day. B’nai B’rith is working hard to adapt to this interesting period on our planet.
In the Middle East, as I write this, American and Israeli forces are attacking the Iranian theocratic regime, which aims to destroy Israel and eventually the West rather than helping Iranians prosper. Hopefully, the military response will facilitate the wish of the majority of Iranians—to free themselves of the yoke of the Mullahs and their radical worldview. A safer, more stable Middle East would result from the elimination of the radical Islamic regime, which is one of the world’s most persistent sponsors of terrorism.
B’nai B’rith’s Support for the Three Plus One Alliance
B’nai B’rith has been on the front lines supporting Israel’s security in the Eastern Mediterranean, which is showing demonstrable benefits in connection with the military action against Iran. I’m writing from Athens, Greece, on a B’nai B’rith trip with the leaders of the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) in support of “Three Plus One Alliance” of Israel, Greece and Cyprus, plus America.
The joint mission of the Greek Americans and Jewish Americans in support of our respective homelands and America’s interests in the Eastern Mediterranean arose from a discussion 15 years ago between our CEO, Dan Mariaschin, AHEPA Executive Director Basil Mossaidis and AHI President Nick Larigakis. They recognized the need for more organized American support for the alliance. Our delegation consisted of volunteer leaders as well as Dan Mariaschin and Director of the B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Alan Schneider. This was the sixth joint Greek and Jewish American organizational trip.
You may have read about the important role Greek military facilities have played on the island of Crete by hosting components of the American “armada” in the Mediterranean. The largest aircraft carrier in the world, the USS Gerald R. Ford, used the Greek naval facilities in Souda Bay on the island of Crete as an advanced staging area.
Besides the three democracies, Greece, Cyprus and Israel, the United States has few reliable strategic allies in the Eastern Mediterranean. Using Souda Bay as a foreign military base as well as providing logistical and evacuation support for Cyprus, allows the U.S. to extend its strategic reach.
We have spoken with the civilian and military leadership of Greece and Cyprus and heard of their commitment to the Three Plus One Alliance, which they have demonstrated by their support of the attack on Iran. May the action against Iran by the U.S. and Israel be successful and short and help the cause of long-term peace and stability in the Middle East.
Connecting B’nai B’rith Members Around the Globe through the B’nai B’rith Passport
Many of us in B’nai B’rith have developed friendships with B’nai B’rith members in other countries and have enjoyed the pleasure and convenience of personal connections as we’ve travelled around the world. We are now launching a program to formalize the process of meeting others in B’nai B’rith around the world through the B’nai B’rith Passport program.
How will it work? We are in the process of identifying B’nai B’rith representatives throughout each district of the world to act as a local “ambassador” or liaison—a facilitator for travelers from and coming to their respective districts. While the program is getting established, the connections will be fairly “low tech” and will rely on B’nai B’rith district and local leaders and members to spread the word about the program, which we will grow over time as its adoption increases. Travelers would be able to make contact with B’nai B’rith representatives, and if it could be arranged, meet with local members. Travel sometimes involves unanticipated problems, when it would be helpful to get a referral to a local professional. It’s our hope that the B’nai B’rith Passport program will build our international ties, as well as attract new members. Eventually it could be a medium to support the sharing of local opportunities, culture and events with the B’nai B’rith world.
To help kick off the B’nai B’rith Passport program, B’nai B’rith in my hometown of Seattle, Wash., will host a reception for B’nai B’rith-connected soccer fans traveling to our city for a World Cup match between the national teams of the United States and Australia (called the “Socceroos”!). Our intention is to build our B’nai B’rith community, so please feel free to let the Jewish soccer/football fans in your family and network know about the reception, which will be held at 5:30 p.m. the evening before the noon World Cup match in Seattle on June 19. This may be a good time to sign them up as B’nai B’rith members! Registration for the event will be required. For more information about the reception, please contact [email protected].
Celebrating Our Fearless Leader, Dan Mariaschin
Finally, if you haven’t heard, B’nai B’rith’s longtime CEO Dan Mariaschin will be retiring from his full-time top position with B’nai B’rith after 26 years in that position, and nearly 40 years with the organization. He will continue to assist B’nai B’rith as a special advisor, but in light of his transition, we are having a celebration of Dan in New York on May 27, 2026. For more information, please contact Andrea Cure, our VP of Development & Strategic Initiatives at [email protected].
Sending best wishes for health, happiness and peace to you all.
MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
The View From the Miklat
CEO, B’nai B’rith International
When our joint mission to Greece, Cyprus and Israel with two Hellenic-American organizations concluded, I flew back from Cyprus to Tel Aviv to spend Friday evening and Shabbat with our family. I was scheduled to return to Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28.
The. U.S. Israel war with Iran broke out on Shabbat morning, and it was only minutes later that I received a notification from United Airlines that my flight back was cancelled. Instead, we made almost a dozen trips that day to the miklat in the apartment building in which we were staying in north Tel Aviv. Israel has two kinds of shelters: A miklat is a public, communal shelter. For example, shopping malls open their underground garages for shoppers seeking shelter during an alert that warns of incoming missiles or rockets. Apartment buildings have these shelters for their residents. Some older buildings have no miklatim, so residents take shelter where they can find it in their neighborhoods.
A mamad is a reinforced safe room that is built into individual apartments and single-family residences. Many were built following in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War, when scud missiles were fired from Iraq.
The miklat is sealed with a heavy metal door, after residents are inside. In ours, there are about 20 plastic chairs lined up in two rows, facing each other. There is a small bathroom, but that’s about it. Everyone who enters simply hopes their stay will be a short one.
The building in which my wife and I were staying has 12 apartments, but some residents left Tel Aviv to be with family elsewhere, as the nation was under attack by the Iranians and Hezbollah. So, with every air raid warning, about 15-20 people congregated in this spare room with bare concrete walls to wait out the attack. (As I write this column, we have been interrupted twice by the alerts and sirens.)
Israelis are fortunate to have a nationwide early warning system for such eventualities. The Home Front Command app is a must-have: it warns of a coming attack, gives you a couple of minutes to get into the shelter, and then sirens are activated, indicating that the attack is on. With that, the Iron Dome and other air defense systems are employed to intercept the incoming missiles, rockets and drones. Occasionally, some do get through, causing damage, injuries and loss of life, but mostly the IDF and its highly capable men and women entrusted with the defense of the homeland execute their task perfectly. Kol Ha-kavod to each of them.
There is no schedule for these attacks. They can come in the middle of the night (sometimes three times), early morning or in the middle of the day. One just drops everything and heads down to the shelter. Most Israelis take all of this very seriously, and they head down in pajamas and bathrobes, work clothes and everything in between. The demographic covers the spectrum: from seniors who use wheelchairs or walkers and need assistance getting downstairs to toddlers still sleeping and carried by their parents, to students lugging laptops.
Some folks bring a cup of coffee, but mostly the people in the miklat are waiting for the all-clear, to go back to sleep, or whatever they were doing before their routines were interrupted by rockets fired by Iran and Hezbollah from Lebanon.
Sometimes, people are caught outside, some distance from their homes, in the middle of an alert. Most buildings leave their front doors open, giving strangers a chance to find a place in which to shelter.
The folks in the room with us are politically left, right and center. But political talk, so much a part of life in the Jewish state, seems not to be miklat protocol. There is small talk, often in lowered tones, and a lot of eyes focused on cellphones. Sometimes, a certain camaraderie breaks the monotony: In our building, a resident, a well-known comedian and actor, brought his guitar one evening and started a Beatles sing-along. Everyone joined in—especially on the appropriate, but unintended-for-the-occasion lyrics of “Help.” The singing was good for the soul, and morale, as we all awaited the Home Front app to inform us we could leave the shelter.
The frequent miklat visits reminded me again of the tremendous resilience of Israelis. No people should have to live under these conditions year after year. I think of the little ones carried down four floors at 3 a.m. who are starting their young lives with an Iranian or Hezbollah Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, in the form of ballistic missiles with1,000 pound warheads, threatening their homes and country, or seniors or those who are disabled, who must struggle to make their way down narrow staircases in three minutes to protect themselves.
But here, in Israel, life really does go on. One of our miklat “regulars,” a cartoonist and illustrator, entered the room after a walk with his wife to tell me that they had found a book about French opera, with a CD, in a drop-off location where people leave books they don’t want and pick up those left by others. In between air raid sirens, Israelis of all ages cannot resist going to their neighborhood cafes for a “Hafooch” (cappuccino) and a croissant. They drop off their clothes for dry cleaning, walk their dogs and dash to the grocery to lay in a supply of eggs or milk. And it is all so orderly. No hysteria, here.
As fractious as Israeli democracy is, there is a strong common denominator about these remarkable people. They do love their country, and they will not be moved. Indeed, when the war began, some 170,000 Israelis were traveling outside Israel. Most wanted desperately to be back home when the war began. In most countries, there would be lines at the international airport, with people jostling each other to leave the war zone. But not here.
At a time of unprecedented vile being heaped on Israel, the Zionist idea and Israelis, our friends and relatives in the land of the Bible and the dream of Herzl, give us all a morale boost each of us needs. We can all take pride in the “can do” attitude of this miraculous place and its people.
May they all know the peace they so much deserve.
Wishing Berakha ve'hatzlakha (Blessing and Success) to B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin
and the Jewish people.
The longtime stewardship and accomplishments of B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, who has led the organization since 1999 and who has devoted more than half a century to working on behalf of the Jewish community, have been recognized worldwide. Mariaschin will retire in June 2026.
Special features, interviews and articles devoted to Mariaschin continue to be published, broadcast and streamed. B’nai B’rith has organized a farewell tribute to be held in May.
Mariaschin commented: “It was a great privilege to lead a legacy organization, now 182 years old, that has, and is contributing so much to, Jewish life around the world.”
During its Hanukkah reception, the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C., thanked Mariaschin for “his decades of dedicated work on behalf of the Jewish people and the State of Israel.”
Interviews conducted by The Jerusalem Post and Israel television station I24 “Jewish World Weekly” show and U.S. media including eJewishPhilanthropy News have asked Mariaschin questions regarding changes in Jewish life that have occurred in the years since he began his career. Mariaschin assessed the “new normal” of rampant anti-Semitism, indicated his concern about the future of Israel, and noted the inevitable passing of the remaining survivors of the Holocaust, whose individual and collective memories must be kept alive.
He notes the lesson learned during his childhood as a member of one of only a few Jewish families in a small New Hampshire town: friends who support the Jewish community are everywhere.
Underscoring B’nai B’rith’s dedication to Israel, he expressed pride, inspired by the achievements of the nation and its people.
Four Decades of Philanthropy: Harold Miller
Harold Miller retired in 2018, but you would never know it. As a CPA with tax law expertise, he prepares returns for his private clients, while continuing to demonstrate his leadership and devotion on behalf of Jewish and nonsectarian organizations in his community.
A member of Horeb Lodge in his native New Haven, Conn., for over 40 years, Miller, a B’nai B’rith President’s Award winner, headed the organization’s MetroNorth Region and continues as an active member of B’nai B’rith’s Board of Governors. Currently, his name is synonymous with two important B’nai B’rith programs in Connecticut: Project H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Everywhere) and Fountain Heights B’nai B’rith Senior Housing.
Miller says that he “appreciates the opportunity that B’nai B’rith has given me.”
Since Miller initiated the program in 1976, Project H.O.P.E. has provided Kosher for Passover food to the region’s economically challenged Jewish people. Miller is at the helm, coordinating all aspects of the program from (chicken) soup to nuts. He obtains items in bulk from grocery stores and supervises volunteer efforts to assemble packages, which are delivered to communities statewide.
Miller secured US. Department of Housing and Urban Development funds in 1996 for the building of Fountain Heights, a B’nai B’rith subsidized senior property in New Haven, and became its Board Chair when it opened in 2000. The facility benefits from his financial acumen, and from the time he spends working with B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services (CSS) to maintain and renovate public spaces and apartments.
Evan Carmen, CSS legislative director for Aging Policy, has praised Miller as “the definition of community service. Firstly, he has been an instrumental part of the B’nai B’rith Senior Housing Network. His dedication and commitment have helped provide affordable senior housing at our sponsored building in New Haven for over 20 years. Harold also plays an integral role providing Passover food to people of limited means. They are just a few examples of how Harold has made a difference in the community. We can’t thank him enough for his devotion to B’nai B’rith and to helping others.”
And how does the “retired” Miller make the most of his leisure time? By playing Santa for children at the local Veterans Hospital, serving as assistant treasurer of the Jewish Historical Society of Greater New Haven, teaching bridge at the Institute of Learning for Retirees and celebrating the 70th anniversary of his bar mitzvah at his synagogue, Beth El-Kesher Israel. Mazel tov!
B’nai B’rith Honors Holocaust Remembrance Day in Europe and the U.S.
B’nai B’rith organized a series of programs marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day (also known as International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust), observed annually on Jan. 27, the anniversary of the 1945 liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.
European Union Conference
B’nai B’rith was among the sponsors of the European Union’s Jan. 14 conference, “Remembering the past. Shaping the future.”
EU representatives updated Jewish communal leaders on the teaching of Holocaust education curriculum, expanded governmental initiatives targeting rising anti-Semitism and more. Speakers included Katharina von Schnurbein, European Commission coordinator on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life; Magnus Brunner, commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration of the European Commission; Antonios Theocharous, director, Multilateral Relations, Security and Global Agenda Directorate, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cyprus; and Pina Picierno, vice-president, European Parliament. B’nai B’rith Director of European Affairs Alina Bricman also participated.
Bergen-Belsen survivor, British psychiatrist Alfred Garwood MBE, described his wartime experiences, and his present-day activities as a trauma therapist and academic who lectures on the Holocaust.
Conference sessions were interpolated by performances of Jewish-themed music and drama. Kaddish was recited in memory of the Shoah’s six million victims.
New York Program
Connect members, B’nai B’rith New York staff and special guest, Holocaust survivor Mireille Taub, attended the Jan. 27 United Nations Holocaust Memorial Day observance, including remarks by Secretary-General António Guterres; Ambassador Danny Danon, permanent representative of Israel to the U.N.; Ambassador Mike Waltz, permanent representative of the U.S. to the U.N.; and testimonies from Holocaust survivors.
Taub, originally from France, shared her own story of survival during an event hosted by B’nai B’rith later that day.
“Recognition” Documentary Presentation
B’nai B’rith hosted an online screening of “Recognition,” introduced by CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and the documentary’s producer, Avraham Huli.
Funded by the Committee to Recognize the Heroism of Jews During the Holocaust and B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem, which has honored Jewish rescuers since 2011, “Recognition,” directed by Shoshi Ben Hamo, recounts the stories of Jews across Europe who risked their lives to save men, women and children of their own faith during World War II.
Conversations with B’nai B’rith
Accessible on B’nai B’rith’s website and YouTube channel, a rebroadcast of a 2025 Conversations with B’nai B’rith podcast, the Holocaust Remembrance Day interview with B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin and Robert Williams, executive director, University of Southern California Shoah Foundation, addressed the importance of preserving survivors’ testimonies and the need to expand Holocaust education. Williams also detailed ongoing attempts to glorify the lives of European leaders who were murderers of Jews during World War II.
B'nai B'rith Essay Contest Calls on College Students to Share Experiences of Anti-Semitism on Campus
B’nai B’rith invites college students to share their experiences of anti-Semitism at their school by entering our 2026 None Shall Be Afraid Essay Contest. Winners will earn scholarships as well as the opportunity to have their essays published.
Since Oct. 7, 2023, and the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, anti-Semitism in the United States has intensified drastically, with universities becoming critical battlegrounds for Jewish students facing unprecedented levels of hate and anti-Israel hostility. This year’s essay prompt invites Jewish students to share their encounters experiencing and confronting anti-Semitism on their campuses and its emotional and social consequences.
B’nai B’rith International created the None Shall Be Afraid initiative to keep a focus on anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in our society today. None Shall Be Afraid was inspired by the 1790 letter from George Washington to the congregants of Touro Synagogue in Rhode Island, where he quoted Micah 4:4, “Everyone shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid.”
Now it’s time for the next generation to take its place in combating the world’s oldest hatred.
In an essay of under 750 words, students are asked to answer the following prompt:
How do you assess the current climate of anti-Semitism in the United States, particularly on college campuses or within your own community? Drawing on your personal experiences or observations, reflect on how this reality shapes your sense of responsibility as a student.
In addition to the scholarship, the first-place winner will have their essay featured in the Winter 2026 edition of B’nai B’rith Magazine and published on B’nai B’rith’s website and social media platforms.
Awards:
- 1st Place: $2,500 scholarship
- 2nd Place: $1,000 scholarship
- 3rd Place: $500 scholarship
Essays should be sent to [email protected]. The deadline for applying is April 30, 2026.
For more information about essay requirements and contest rules, please visit our website here.
Connecting Through Meaningful Activities
Holocaust Remembrance Day Event
Holocaust survivor Mireille Taub shared her wartime experiences with Connect members during a program at B’nai B’rith’s New York office on Jan. 27, Holocaust Remembrance Day. Earlier in the day, Taub attended the United Nations Holocaust Memorial Observance with Connect members and staff.
Connect Evening with Author Liza Wiemer
B’nai B’rith Connect members gathered at the B’nai B’rith New York office in early February to hear Liza Wiemer introduce her new novel, “The Assignment.”
Wiemer described the actual incident which inspired her book about a high school class assigned to defend Hitler’s genocidal “Final Solution.” She spoke on a variety of topics, including the current rise in anti-Semitism.
Attendees received a signed copy of the book.
B’nai B’rith Connect members.
Open the Dor Initiative
In late 2025, six undergraduate students participated in Open the Dor (referencing the Hebrew phrase, “l’dor vador”: from generation to generation), partnered by B’nai B’rith and Honeycomb, a Jewish education advocacy organization. Through interactive online workshops, young men and women learn about philanthropy, and its integral role in imparting knowledge to both Jewish and non-Jewish people about Jewish history and heritage, particularly Holocaust remembrance, as well as how Jewish values are linked to communal action.
Inspired by their knowledge of B’nai B’rith’s ongoing commitment to honoring the Holocaust, fighting anti-Semitism and protecting human rights, the students made a group donation to B’nai B’rith International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy (ICHRPP).
FROM THE VAULT
Juliusz Wolfsohn’s Musical Mission
Polish born musician Juliusz Wolfsohn (1880-1944) lived and worked in Vienna, where he was a member of B’nai B’rith Eintracht Lodge during the 1930s, prior to his immigration to America in 1939. A tireless advocate of indigenous Jewish music, he based his own piano compositions on his knowledge of Yiddish, Hasidic and Hebrew sacred and secular chants, songs and folk melodies.
Photo: Wikipedia.org
Recitals including repertory by Wolfsohn and other composers inspired by and working from Jewish sources were produced by the Society for the Promotion of Jewish Music, an organization which he founded. They were most probably performed at events held for all four B’nai B’rith Vienna lodges, when members who were both amateur and professional instrumentalists would often participate. During these special evenings, Wolfsohn would also speak about the selections on the program; he was an important critic whose articles promoted Jewish music.
In December, online listeners and an audience at the YIVO Institute heard a live concert showcasing the New York premiere of the first section of Wolfsohn’s three-part “Paraphrasen” (original title: Paraphrases On Old Jewish Folk Tunes), a collection of short works based on Yiddish melodies. Virtuoso pianist Ryan MacEvoy McCullogh’s thoughtful interpretive skills were revealed in the intensity of his playing of these highly complex pieces, in which he underscored the composer’s creation of an elaborate harmonic and rhythmic treatment in the manner of Liszt and Chopin, drawn from themes in the original sources.
YIVO has scheduled performances of the next two sections of “Paraphrasen” for spring 2026.
Center for Senior Services Programs Enhance Life for Building Residents
Center for Senior Services (CSS) staff organize innovative programs for building managers, staff and residents designed to provide information and forge intergenerational bonds.
CSS and B’nai B’rith Connect young leadership joined forces for a two-day event at the B’nai B’rith Apartments of Deerfield Beach, Fla., in January. On day one, a “Sip & Paint” session brought together 30 residents and Connect members for a class taught by a local painter, followed by a luncheon get-together. On day two, CSS Associate Director of Senior Services Janel Doughten and members of the Resident Association led a discussion focused on building relationships in a diverse community.
Early in March, Doughten presented a training workshop for personnel and residents at B’nai B’rith Apartments in Peoria, Ill., detailing the “how tos” of organizing and running a resident association in providing a means of effective community building.
Events held during the month also included the CSS Virtual Conference on Senior Housing, two days of talks by a variety of experts, who addressed topics of vital interest including CSS Congressional advocacy on behalf of older adults, HUD guideline and budget updates, revised and improved security measures, health initiatives and best practices in the field.
Applications for Sally and George Schneider Scholarship Now Being Accepted
B’nai B’rith International will award the annual Sally and George Schneider Scholarship to a deserving Jewish female graduate student in the spring of 2026. Applications are now being accepted.
Sally Schneider, born in Brooklyn in 1919, was a voracious reader and a passionate supporter of Israel, who felt strongly that women should be independent and educated. She and her husband, George, were longtime B’nai B’rith members. In 1998, after Sally’s death, the family set up an endowment fund in their honor.
Applicant Criteria
- A deserving Jewish female graduate student
- In the metropolitan New York area
- Currently enrolled in and attending a graduate program (by Jan. 31, 2026) in a field benefiting humankind, including, but not limited to, medical research, education, social work, psychology, chiropractic medicine, nursing or public health
- The candidate should demonstrate an involvement or interest in Jewish culture
Candidate should submit a statement (no more than two pages, typed and double-spaced, including home address and email) indicating your qualifications for this scholarship to Elisabeth Krebs at [email protected].
The deadline to apply is April 23, 2026.
B’nai B’rith Israel Continues to Expand its Horizons
Collaboration with European Lodges
Members of B’nai B’rith Alliance and B’nai B’rith Israel are partnering to develop activities and organize projects aimed to provide enhanced support for struggling groups and communities in Israel. Initiatives will focus on extending aid to Israel Defense Forces members, Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terror attack survivors, economically challenged families and recent immigrants. In addition, European and Israeli members will be offered new opportunities to deepen their ties.
Solomon Bali, president of B’nai B’rith Alliance, including Northern, Central and Southern European districts, said: “Given B’nai B’rith’s long-standing legacy, collaborating with our brothers and sisters in Israel is a natural step. Today, more than ever, we must stand together—not only in words, but through meaningful action. In doing so, we continue B’nai B’rith’s proud tradition of leadership and service, serving as a role model within the Jewish world and beyond.”
Emanuel Cohen, B’nai B’rith Israel president affirmed, “This collaboration is rooted in the shared values of B’nai B’rith Israel and B’nai B’rith communities throughout the world. These initiatives will create real bridges between lodges, communities and even generations, and will strengthen ties, increase impact and deepen solidarity.”
B’nai B’rith and Leket Israel
B’nai B’rith Israel members volunteer at headquarters of Leket Israel, a major food rescue philanthropy that procures and donates surplus agricultural produce to feed people and animals. Working at the organization’s facilities, B’nai B’rith Israel members sort the fruits and vegetables that have been delivered from farms.
Welcoming a New Generation
Now totaling 118 lodges, B’nai B’rith Israel has recently established two “second generation” lodges, earmarked to attract the 45–55-year-old children of current members. Catering to their lifestyles and interests, B’nai B’rith Israel arranges activities for volunteering, socializing and developing relationships with their peers outside of Israel.
Cohen, B’nai B’rith Israel president, commented, “Our members are our most valuable asset, and new members bring growth, energy and continuity. Without engaging younger generations, we cannot sustain the organization or achieve our long-term goals.”
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Upstander Award Recipients January – March 2026
Remembering Bondi Beach
The men and women of B’nai B’rith NSW joined guests and friends on Jan. 18 to mourn and honor the victims of the Dec. 14 Bondi Beach terror attack. Speakers paid tribute to B’nai B’rith member Edith Brutman, z’l, who was murdered during the anti-Semitic rampage.
After the attack, B’nai B’rith called on the Australian government—and all governments—to speak clearly and forcefully against anti-Semitism in all its forms, and particularly to condemn hatred revealed in rhetoric that dehumanizes Israel and, by extension, Jews everywhere.
Anthony Albanese, Australian prime minister, declared Jan. 22 a National Day of Mourning for the 15 victims of Bondi Beach.
Music, Drama and Art Bring B’nai B’rith Members Together
Conjuring nostalgic memories of past lodge life traditions, new get-togethers involving B’nai B’rith members are not just intended for socializing, although plenty of that occurs while they engage in activities which reflect their involvement in the arts. These initiatives benefit members who can make friends while using their talents and engaging in cultural pursuits.
The B’nai B’rith Israel choir gave concerts on tour in Germany in the fall, highlighted by a memorable Berlin Philharmonic gala, in which the group sang with choruses from around the world. Choir members took the opportunity to connect with German lodge brothers and sisters—who were in the audience for the concert.
A previous IMPACT feature detailed music-making activities—including the BB Band and the A Capella chorus, both of which perform at Jewish and interfaith communal events—coordinated by the Australia-New Zealand B’nai B’rith NSW Cultural Centre. It also hosts the BB Players troupe, which produced the “Latkes, Laughs and Doughnuts” show enjoyed by the crowd at the annual B’nai B’rith Hanukkah party. Those who join the workshop in monologue writing and acting at the Centre test their skills in front of an audience. Established in 2023, the Centre sponsors lectures on literature, conducts art classes, mounts exhibitions and organizes trips to theaters, museums and art galleries for members of the Diana Culture Club.
Latin American Journalists Mission Focuses on Combating Misinformation About Israel
(second and fourth from right).
B’nai B’rith’s sixth annual Latin American Journalists Mission to Israel sponsored 11 journalists from Argentina, Uruguay, Peru, Mexico and Costa Rica on a tour of Israel, to gain firsthand insight into Israeli society and combat misinformation in regional reporting.
The delegation met with officials across the political spectrum, including representatives from Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and members of the Knesset, who discussed Israel–Latin America relations, described regional instability and shared concerns over threats posed by Iran and Hamas.
The journalists toured border areas near Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, learning about security challenges involving terror groups Hezbollah and Hamas.
They also witnessed the aftermath of the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in Sderot, Kibbutz Kfar Aza and Kibbutz Nahal Oz, and the Nova festival, hearing directly from survivors and local leaders, and later met with released Israeli Argentine hostage Eitan Horn.
The group also explored Israel’s religious and cultural diversity through visits to Bethlehem, Capernaum and the Church of the Nativity, and met with Druze and Aramean-Christian leaders.
The mission was co-organized by Director of B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Alan Schneider and B’nai B’rith Latin American Affairs Director Eduardo Kohn and was guided by Gabriel Ben Tasgal.
The B’nai B’rith Podcast: Conversations with B’nai B’rith
In a world overflowing with noise, the B’nai B’rith Podcast, Conversations with B’nai B’rith, offers something different: substance. Each episode delivers thoughtful, in-depth dialogue on the issues that matter most to our community and to the world.
Our latest podcasts feature compelling conversations with leading authors and thought leaders, offering insights into history, identity, public policy and Jewish life. We also tackle urgent current events, bringing clarity and perspective to complex global developments.
These are not recycled talking points or surface-level interviews. They are candid, substantive discussions shaped by B’nai B’rith’s unique access to policymakers, diplomats, communal leaders and scholars. The result is content you simply won’t find anywhere else.
What makes this podcast especially powerful is its balance: depth without excess length. Every episode is under an hour—designed for busy professionals, engaged community members and anyone who wants to stay informed but has limited time. In the span of a commute, a walk or a workout, you can gain meaningful insight and perspectives that broaden your understanding.
If you value serious conversation, exclusive access and efficient use of your time, Conversations with B’nai B’rith belongs in your weekly rotation.
Some recent podcast highlights:
- Theodore Roosevelt and His Enduring Bond with Jewish America/American Maccabee
- Durban at 25: A Turning Point in Modern Anti-Semitism
- Colleyville: A Powerful Story of Survival | Award-Winning Filmmaker Dani Menkin
- Fighting to Define the Horrific October 7 Attacks/October 7: The Wars Over Words and Deeds
- Why Sid Caesar is the Comedy Pioneer You Should Know/When Caesar was King
- Understanding Anti-Semitism as an American Tradition with Professor Pamela S. Nadell
Amplify Pro-Israel Voices — Join the Spark Activist App Today
We’re excited to share that B’nai B’rith is partnering with Oct 7, an Israeli initiative focused on turning the tide of negative public opinion about Israel and the Jewish community. Oct 7 is approaching the public opinion problem as a large-scale numbers game, aiming to mobilize pro-Israel and pro-Jewish voices through technology. The goal is to use a new app (Spark Activist) to transform our community into activists who can effectively counter hostile propaganda.
The Spark Activist app is a way around the algorithm barrier put up by all of today’s social media companies. Even our most important content only reaches a small percentage of our own followers. We cannot control the algorithm, and therefore, we cannot control whether and when our followers are actually seeing our posts. The Spark Activist app gets around the algorithm gates…helping us to actually reach all of the people who are on the app.
To support this effort, we are asking you—our members and supporters—to download the Spark Activist App, the core platform of oct7’s work. Within the app, various B’nai B’rith staff members will post regular action items you can take. These could be something such as liking and sharing a Tweet/X post, reading an article by one of our Subject Matter Experts, or responding to an Action Alert—all to help our content reach a broader audience.
What You Need to Do:
- Download the Spark Activist App on your phone as soon as possible here.
- Be sure to turn on the notifications on the app, so you will know when a new action item has been shared.
- Start (and continue) engaging with the actions posted by our team.
Please join our community on Spark!
A Season of Giving for Local Lodges
In December, two local lodges reached out to their communities to acknowledge and share in a time of giving and goodwill.
The award-winning Pinch Hitter Program, organized each year since 1980 by Atlanta’s Achim/Gate City Lodge, gives members and volunteers the chance to stand in for non-professional workers at hospitals and senior communities, allowing them to celebrate Christmas at home. This year, Pinch Hitters served meals, manned concierge desks and took on cleaning tasks at seven facilities.
In the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, Isadore Garsek Lodge members and volunteers have been preparing and serving meals on Christmas Day for four decades. This year, they fed more than 200 homeless and economically challenged people at Beautiful Feet Ministries in southeast Ft. Worth.
“It is a great B’nai B’rith annual tradition,” said Garsek President Alex Nason. “It brightens the day of homeless clients and provides mission staff with the opportunity to spend Christmas Day at home with their family.”
Backstory:
English-Jewish artist Ralph Sallon caricatured British B’nai B’rith leaders, who were decked out in their finery to celebrate at their organization’s 1935 Silver Anniversary, in The Jewish Chronicle, a periodical founded in 1841 and still published today. Taking center stage is the venerable theologian, folklorist and author, Romanian-born Moses Gaster (1856-1939), rabbi of the prestigious Bevis Marks Synagogue. A fervent Zionist, Gaster was among the Founders of the B’nai B’rith First Lodge of England, established in London in 1910.