B’nai B’rith works in many communities around the United States – and around the world – to bridge the gap between leaders of today and young Jewish leaders of tomorrow. Integral to the future of B’nai B’rith International is the B’nai B’rith Young Leadership Network (YLN). The goal of the network is to attract younger leaders and create programs that will appeal to young professionals and families. B’nai B’rith has geared specific programs toward young adults, ages 21 to 40.

— MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR —

Dear Young Leaders of B’nai B’rith,

As International Chair of the Young Leadership Network (formerly Young Professional Network) I’m happy to be writing this message to tell you about the amazing work and progress we have accomplished so far this year. 

First allow me to introduce to you our new identity as the B’nai B’rith Young Leadership Network: Local Action.  Global Impact.  Our goal is to support our Jewish communities locally, nationally and globally, bridging the gap between leaders of today and young Jewish leaders of tomorrow through our unique programming tailored for young professionals and families, ages 21 to 40.  

Young leaders across the United States have been busy in their communities fulfilling our mission to drive positive social change and building members’ Jewish identities through fighting intolerance, promoting humanitarian causes and delivering social programming, bringing young leaders together for a common cause. 

As we focus on the future we continue to explore prospects to launch programming in new communities in the US and around world.  We will continue to work hard providing an atmosphere to give back to your local and global community.  You will also find opportunities to become a leader among your peers and represent B’nai B’rith as the global voice of the Jewish community, continuing our 170 years of service.

I would like to personally thank all of you – leaders members and staff – for your energy, enthusiasm, resources and time, enabling successful programming in each community. I am grateful for the relationships we have developed and look forward to strengthening these bonds as brothers and sisters of B’nai B’rith.  I’m looking forward to a promising future as we continue fulfill our goals and overall mission of B’nai B’rith.

Warmest regards,

Rebecca Saltzman

Chair – B’nai B’rith Young Leadership Network

— FEATURED B’NAI B’RITH YOUNG LEADER—

Daniel Citone, 39, of Rome was elected senior vice president of B’nai B’rith International in September 2012. In this leadership position, Citone takes  an active role implementing B’nai B’rith’s policies and programs during a three-year term. He has been involved with B’nai B’rith since 1994, when  he was a founding member of the young adult lodge in Rome. As vice  president of the adult lodge, he was part of the senior B’nai B’rith  leadership delegation that met privately with Pope Benedict XVI at the  Vatican in May 2011. He has also been involved with B’nai B’rith Europe’s Young Jewish Adult Forum. He served on the executive board of the Jewish Community of Rome from 2008 to 2011, working on behalf of international relationships and youth policy. He has recently been nominated to the Executive Commitee of B’nai B’rith Europe and he recently met with new Pope with the IJCIC delegation (the International Committee on Interreligious Consultations, of which B’nai B’rith is a member. 

“I’m involved with B’nai B’rith for its advocacy for Israel, because it fights anti-semitism, supports the human right and because I consider very important the principle “Kol Yisrael arevim zeh la-zeh (all Jews are responsible for one another)” that means that it is our responsibility to stand up for each other and I believe that B’nai B’rith is the organization that fulfill this principle better than the others.”

— LATEST NEWS & EVENTS —

Chicago

Young leaders in Chicago hosted volunteer, educational and social programs in the last few months.  Members participated in the national Mitzvah hour of service, spent an afternoon at the local food bank, and came together to try the city’s newest/hottest BBQ restaurant (pictured).

>Learn more or get involved in Chicago.

 Denver

 Denver young pros continue to do community service  such  as the national mitzvah project (pictured) and the  monthly  Peanut Butter & Jelly project.  Recent events  have also  included Bowling for Chaemetz, a counter-  terrorism lecture  at The CELL, and other volunteer  projects. Always wanted to  learn Mahj Jong? Join them  for a tutorial on Aug 15th!

> Learn more or get involved in Denver.

New Jersey

A new network has sprouted in the Garden State.  The group in based in central New Jersey. Their kickoff event was held in Scotch Plains, N.J. at the Stage Hous Tavern. This summer they’ll be working with Temple Beth Ahm Yisrael for a free Shabbat Dinner on August 9th.

> Learn more or get involved in N.J.

New York

Young leaders in N.Y. continue their response to Superstorm Sandy with volunteer clean-up events (pictured) and fundraisers.  Most recently they worked with the B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services in packing disaster prepardeness kits for a senior housing facility in the city’s financial district. They also hosted a roundtable discussion with The Jerusalem Post’s Chief Political Correspondent Gil Hofmann and Drinks on the Hudson. Be on the lookout for a United Nations program launching this fall. 

>Learn more or get involved in New York    

Washington, D.C.

B’nai B’rith brings together hundreds of young professionals every month for our Trivia Night with Sixth & I. They also host regular “Conversations Around the World” events at foreign embassies and recently volunteers came together to pack activity kits for kids impacted by terrorism in Israel (pictured). They look forward to seeing everyone in November at the Policy Forum! 

> Learn more or get involved in D.C.

AEPi Partnership

B’nai B’rith was honored to bring Holocaust remembrance programs on Yom Hashoah to college campuses as the North American sponsor of Unto Every Person There is a Name.  Partnering with AEPi, B’nai B’rith assisted in this program and We Walk to Remember on 110+ campuses. We’ll be at AEPi Convention in NY this month. Stop by and say hello if you’ll be there! 

> Learn more or get involved with the AEPi partnership.

Network Wide

We started this year strong continuing with quarterly virtual round tables bringing young leaders around the globe together to engage, connect and learn.  Our guest speakers have presented global and community issues including community service, leadership, B’nai Brith’s role at the United Nations, disaster relief and humanitarian causes. We also continued organizing national mitzvah hour projects.  This past spring each community participated in assembling over 200 activity kits for children affected by terrorist rockets hitting southern Israel which will be donated to local bomb shelters.

Coming soon….

B’nai B’rith Young Leadership Network Detroit and Los Angeles

Do you live in one of those cities? Did you go to college there? Is that where you call home? If so, we’d love to hear from you to help us develop a group. Be in touch! 

Around the Globe

Gilad Schalit (pictured) was made an honorary life-time member of B’nai B’rith at the B’nai B’rith Young Adult Jewish Forum – held in London.  This was Schalit’s first trip out of Israel after being freed from his year’s in captivity.  Hundreds attended the forum from countries throughout Europe.

> Learn more about the Young Adult Jewish Forum

youngleadership@bnaibrith.org

212-405-4021
www.bnaibrith.org