Members of Congress and leaders in the Jewish community spoke on anti-Semitism and Israel advocacy at B’nai B’rith’s Board of Directors Meeting in Washington, D.C. this week. The two-day gathering featured discussions on combating global anti-Semitism, supporting Israel and advancing policies that protect older adults and Jewish communities worldwide.

State of the Organization: Our International Reach

B’nai B’rith President Robert Spitzer opened the meeting with a State of the Organization address, discussing our decades-long international advocacy work and his commitment to continue to engage young leadership and the broader community in Jewish life around the world. “The reception we get [around the world] is quite impressive as an organization,” Spitzer said to board members from across the United States and around the world. “What is our unique selling point? We are the most international organization of the Jewish people.”

Calling for Jewish Unity Amid Rising Threats

B’nai B’rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin spoke about Israel’s defensive war against Hamas, the spread of anti-Semitic blood libels and the need for Jewish unity as Israel faces threats on multiple fronts.

“We have lost a sense of unity in our community over Israel. It is the only Jewish state that we have,” Mariaschin said. “Let’s all take the time out to think how fortunate we are to see the Jewish people not only have a home of their own, but a vibrant start up nation whose sons and daughters have brought so much good to the world.”

B’nai B’rith Israel Raises $665,000 for Displaced Families

Elise Shazar, advisor to the president on international relations for B’nai B’rith Israel, addressed attendees via video conference to highlight the activities of B’nai B’rith Israel and its work providing urgent aid to the IDF and Israeli citizens, organizing activities that bring the Jewish community closer together and expanding projects with B’nai B’rith lodges around the world. B’nai B’rith Israel raised $665,000 to assist displaced families during the Israel-Hamas war, providing transportation, school supplies and essential items, particularly following the Operation Rising Lion attack against Iranian weapons infrastructure.

Shazar noted that these projects “reflect the very strong partnership between Israel and the organizations around the world,” adding that she hopes to expand initiatives further. “If there is a need, there is a will.”

B’nai B’rith Honors Special Bond with Embassy of Bulgaria at Evening Reception

The first day concluded with an evening reception at the Embassy of Bulgaria, where Mariaschin spoke about the relationship between Bulgaria and the Jewish community and B’nai B’rith’s deep-seated roots in the country.

Mariaschin presented the embassy’s Deputy Chief of Mission Stefka Yovcheva with a tzedakah box for being a true friend of Israel and supporting the Jewish community.

“Bulgaria and the Jewish people share a special bond and deep friendship,” Yovcheva said. “Israel has a great friend in the Bulgarian government.”

Staff Updates Highlight Advocacy and Senior Services

The second day began with updates from B’nai B’rith staff on the impactful work of our International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy and our Center for Senior Services. B’nai B’rith Director of Legislative Affairs Rabbi Eric Fusfield spoke about the increase of anti-Zionism and hate crimes against Jews.

In a panel discussion with Mariaschin, Associate Director Janel Doughten and Legislative Director for Aging Policy Evan Carmen of B’nai B’rith’s Center for Senior Services spoke about B’nai B’rith’s role as a sponsor of the senior housing network and its advocacy efforts on Capitol Hill to support older adults by implementing leaderships retreats for residents and inviting members of Congress to visit our HUD-sponsored senior housing buildings across the country.

Doug Hauer-Gilad Receives Upstander Award for Moral Courage

B’nai B’rith presented Doug Hauer-Gilad, a former law professor at Boston University, with the organization’s Upstander Award for his moral courage in standing up to anti-Semitism. Hauer-Gilad resigned from his position in January 2025 after he was reprimanded following public criticism of anti-Israel rhetoric on campus. In speaking out, he highlighted what he described as a growing climate of fear among Jewish and Israeli faculty members who worry about retaliation if they express support for Israel.

“I went from being this warm very loved person at BU to being a white colonial settler Zionist advocate,” Hauer-Gilad said of how he was targeted and viewed. “What we saw with the hostage crisis is that visibility matters….with anti-Semitism, visibility matters.”

Members of Congress Reaffirm Bipartisan Support for Israel

U.S. Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio) addressed the meeting via video conference, speaking about the growing political divide fueled by harmful rhetoric about Israel and his personal commitment to advocating for the Jewish community in Congress and strengthening bipartisan support for Israel.

“Know every day you have people like me fighting for our values and to make sure the Jewish people in American society will be here for a long time,” Miller said. “As we continue to fight for one Jewish state in the entire world, I couldn’t be any more proud to see that Israel is still standing strong and has a great relationship with the United States. But we need to make sure that relationship continues to stay strong.”

U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier (D-WA) also joined virtually, discussing the hostage release deal and reaffirming her congressional support for Israel’s right to exist and defend itself.

Mariaschin Announces Retirement After 37 Years as CEO

During the meeting, Mariaschin, who has served as B’nai B’rith’s CEO since 1999, announced his retirement, effective in June 2026, telling board members and staff: “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. Thank you all for this fantastic ride I’ve had over all these years.”