Leaders from AEPi and AEPhi at The University of Texas at Austin met with B'nai B'rith International Senior Vice President Chuck Kaufman recently to map out activities in which these groups will work together on a variety of programing. Among the participants were, from left, Amit Goldstein, Will Glick, Daniel Kasoff, Mia Fredericks, Jori Epstein, Kaufman, Aaron Liener and Jason Tennenbaum.

The work on campus, Kaufman said, is planned to extend beyond university life, as these students move to new cities to join or create B'nai B'rith Young Professional Network groups.

Join the B'nai B'rith Young Professionals Network of New York City for a discussion with Gil Hoffman, Chief Political Correspondent and Analyst for the Jerusalem Post, on "Red States, Blue States, and the Jewish State: An insider's perspective from Jerusalem on the second terms of Netanyahu and Obama"

Tuesday, April 30, 2013
RSVP to Renee at ypn@bnaibrith.org

Light refreshments and wine will be served.

The location of the event is in Midtown and will be shared to confirmed attendees.

Cost: Free*

*But donations are encouraged to support the national B'nai B'rith Young Professional Network Mitzvah Project: The B'nai B'rith Israel Emergency Fund which provides funds to promote activities for children affected by terrorism.

About Gil Hoffman
Gil Hoffman is the chief political correspondent and analyst for The Jerusalem Post. He has interviewed every major figure across the Israeli political spectrum, has been interviewed by top media on six continents and is a regular analyst on CNN, Al-Jazeera and other news outlets.

Called "the most optimistic man in Israel" by Israel Television, Hoffman's writing and TV appearances provide a behind-the-scenes look at the intrigue and humor in the Israeli political arena.

Hoffman, who was raised in Chicago, graduated Magna Cum Laude from Northwestern University's School of Journalism and wrote for The Miami Herald and Arizona Republic before moving to Israel. A reserve soldier in the IDF's Spokesperson Unit, he has lectured in seven countries and 46 US states. He lives in Jerusalem with his wife and two children.

Amy & Bruce Pascal and Michal Mazal & Daniel S. Mariaschin will each receive the B’nai B’rith Distinguished Humanitarian Award on April 25 at the Sphinx Club in Washington, D.C.  The award recognizes their long-term and exemplary dedication in their work with B’nai B’rith and beyond.  All four have demonstrated personal and professional commitments that embody the very core of Tikkun Olam—making the world a better place.

For almost 50 years, B’nai B’rith has presented awards recognizing the accomplishments of key community and business leaders who represent a wide sphere of commitments and endeavors.  These exceptional individuals are honored in recognition of enlightened civic concern, philanthropic leadership and commitment to excellence.

B’nai B’rith International Humanitarian Awards highlight the outstanding work of individuals across the globe that set the standards for community involvement and bettering the lives of people throughout the world.  Recipients of the Humanitarian Awards have each shown a history of dedicated leadership through a commitment to the communities they serve.  Our nominating committee consists of members from the local B’nai B’rith chapters, the International Board of Governors and former honorees from their community.  B’nai B’rith’s annual presentation of this award in the Washington, DC community each year is a highlight for our members, board and constituents.

> Learn more or register online

Northern Virginia and representatives from the Statewide Jewish Community join THE MISSION TO WASHINGTON / 2013 

Wednesday, April 24, 2013
11:00 am - 6:30 pm      

B'nai B'rith International Senior Vice President Ira Bartfield to act as a meeting leader with Tom Garofalo, Foreign Affairs Aide to Rep. Moran.

Join us as the community is briefed by Benjamin Franklin Award Winner, Peter Howard, PhD  - Strategic Analyst in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and an expert on the Arab Spring and emerging world powers in the Middle East.  Dr Howard is joined by William Davies Sohier, Senior Political Officer on Israel and Palestinian Affairs and Sarah Yerkes, PhD, who has published on political reform and civil society in the Middle East and speaks fluent Arabic and Hebrew.  Join them for this not to be missed discussion.

Following our U.S. State Department briefings visit with Virginia's Senators and Members of Congress to advocate on top issues for the Jewish community: 

• protecting health and human services funding, the Older Americans Act,
• defending a strong U.S.-Israel relationship and
• stopping the threat of a nuclearize Iran.

The day closes with a wrap up reception (5:30 - 6:30pm)

Registration $40 by Wednesday, April 17 at
www.jcouncil.org/CapitolHill

Includes Kosher Lunch & Reception Snacks and Taxi Service from the State Department to Capitol Hill
 
All statewide Jewish communities are welcome, contact us (dlinick@jcouncil.org / 703-893-4007) for more information
 
The Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) of Greater Washington and the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington join together in offering this program with their sister JCRCs / Federations of Richmond, Tidewater & Peninsula and with the following Greater Washington Jewish human service agencies: the Jewish Council for the Aging, Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, Jewish Foundation for Group Homes, and the Jewish Social Service Agency.   

As a Community Partner of the Light /The Holocaust & Humanity Project, come join B'nai B'rith Denver as we remember the Shoah or Holocaust. Oscar Sladek, otherwise known as Osi, will share his story of evading the Nazis by hiding in the homes of sympathetic gentiles as well as in the forests and caves of the Slovakian Tatra Mountains.

Sunday, April 21, 2013
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM mountain time

JCC Denver
350 S. Dahlia St.
Denver, Colo. 80246

Osi is a master performer of the accordion and international folk singer. Since his arrival in the United States in 1958, he has shared his story with thousands of people in the U.S. and Canada He is known for skillfully weaving beautiful stories and songs from his childhood as he recalls his story of his survival.

The $12 cost of the program includes brunch and coffee (we will meet in the JCC Perlmutter Room). Please RSVP to Danielle: admin@bnaibrithdenver.org by Thursday, April 18th.

> Learn more about the Light /The Holocaust & Humanity Project.

Bethesda, MD
Friday, April 19, 7pm

Every month, The Chabad of Bethesda provides a lively Friday night service followed by a tantalizing dinner buffet exploring the unique dishes and traditions of Shabbat in communities around the world. This month, the B’nai B’rith Cuban Jewish Relief Project is teaming up to celebrate and learn about the Jewish community in Cuba by presenting a Cuban Shabbat. The event will take place on Friday, April 19th at 7:00pm at the Chabad of Bethesda, 5713 Bradley Blvd, Bethesda, Maryland 20814.

RSVP to Heather McWilliams at hmcwilliams@bnaibrith.org or on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/events/413540702074971/

The B'nai B'rith Young Pro Network-DC and Sixth & I hosted the April 2013 trivia night on April 17.  Over 150 people came out to test their knowledge, meet new friends, have a kosher dinner and to watch the annual pickle eating contest.

Pictured:  Sixth & I's grant writer Rachel who competed in the pickle eating competition.

Join us next month for trivia!

The B'nai B'rith Monsky Lodge welcomed Bill and Evonne Williams to speak at their April 10, 2013, Breadbreakers luncheon in Omaha, Nebraska.

Bill and Evonne discussed their new project that honors our military, including those who have died, while serving the United States of America.  “Remembering Our Fallen” is a tribute to all of those who have died from wounds suffered in a war zone, while in uniform, since September 11, 2001.

You can learn more about the project at - http://rememberingourfallen.org/about-us/

B’nai B’rith International observed Holocaust Remembrance Day with its annual program “Unto Every Person There is a Name,” now in its 24th year. B’nai B’rith is the official North American sponsor of the program under the auspices of Yad Vashem, Israel’s official Holocaust Museum and research center in Jerusalem. Participants read the names of the victims of the Shoah, noting where and when they were born and where and when they were murdered by the Nazis. The ceremonies occur on the 27th day of the month of Nissan on the Jewish calendar. These observances honor more victims each year, as more names are collected in an international database maintained by Yad Vashem.

An international committee convened by Yad Vashem suggests a theme each year. This year’s Yom Hashoah theme was “Defiance and Rebellion During the Holocaust: 70 Years Since the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.” Alan Schneider, director of the B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem, serves on the committee on behalf of B’nai B’rith.

“Unto Every Person There is a Name” also directly involves Israeli President Shimon Peres. Peres penned a letter distributed to participating communities. It the letter, he encourages the Jewish people to never forget those who perished and to remember those who bravely rebelled in Warsaw as inspiration when facing future obstacles.

“We are nevertheless inspired by the power of the human spirit as demonstrated in the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising, an illustration of heroism and struggle against the forces of evil,” Peres writes. “In the face of the heinous scheme to annihilate the Jewish people, this uprising constituted the tangible expression of the principles that have united the Jewish people through the ages.”

Once the theme is decided upon, program materials are distributed to the communities involved. Included in the materials are first hand accounts, interviews and other documents that called Jews to action against the Nazis or describing the events surrounding the uprising. Also with the materials is a copy of the poem “Everyone Has a Name” by the Jewish poet Zelda, from which the program’s name is inspired. 

Throughout the month of April, B’nai B’rith groups and committees held programs across North America that included speakers and readings in synagogues, Jewish community centers and public places such as Holocaust Memorials and community parks.

“It’s incredible to watch how ‘Unto Every Person There is a Name’ has grown since its inception in 1989,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said. “It is important that we never forget the atrocities of the Holocaust and individually recognize all those who perished.”

In Maryland, a ceremony was held at Congregation Har Shalom in Potomac, Md. Art and artifact exhibits were displayed, the University of Maryland’s Jewish a cappella group performed, original poetry was read by survivors, and remarks were given by keynote speaker Walter Reich, Yitzhak Rabin Memorial professor of international affairs, ethics, and human behavior at the George Washington University.

At the Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia, those in attendance not only participated in the reading of the names, but also in a seminar titled “Holocaust Art: Then & Now” with George Mason University Art Historian Marion Deshmukh. Narratives and poetry were also read by representatives of various religious denominations. The program recognized 19 survivors in the community.

A Partnership with Alpha Epsilon Pi

In addition to community observances, B’nai B’rith partners with the Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) fraternity for the “We Walk to Remember” program, which took place on 110 college campuses throughout the United States, Canada, Israel and the United Kingdom this year. Members of AEPi participated in both the walk and “Unto Every Person There is a Name” programming.

Speaking from the walk at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said, “I’m honored to take part in ‘We Walk to Remember.’ B’nai B’rith has a great partnership with AEPi, and we’re wholly behind its efforts to make sure the Holocaust is never forgotten by today’s youth.”

This is the fifth year B’nai B’rith and AEPi have worked together on Holocaust Remembrance Day programming. The combination of the two powerful programs has created a lasting impact on campuses across the globe. It demonstrates that young people on campus understand the importance of remembering and have taken on the responsibility to tell the story of the victims of the Holocaust. B’nai B’rith provides the materials created by the international committee as well as “Never Forget” stickers that the walkers wear on black t-shirts. 

“‘We Walk to Remember’ is a program that quintessentially represents what it means to be in Alpha Epsilon Pi,” said AEPi’s Adam Maslia, the Howard M. Lorber director of Jewish and Philanthropy Programming. “Stepping up as leaders in the Jewish community in partnership with B'nai B'rith International, the brothers of AEPi have crafted the world's largest on-campus Holocaust commemoration event that is so simple, yet so impactful and effective in ensuring that the world never forgets the atrocities of the Shoah."  

Jewish Rescuers Citations

On the morning of April 8, the B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem and the Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) held a unique, joint Holocaust commemoration ceremony dedicated to the heroism of Jews who rescued fellow Jews during the Holocaust. Taking place at the Martyrs’ Forest “Scroll of Fire” Plaza with about 900 people in attendance, 29 rescuers citations were awarded to Jews or their descendants who assisted other Jews in escaping to a safe haven or employed subterfuge, forgery, smuggling, concealment and other methods to ensure the survival of Jews from the Holocaust in Europe.

The idea for the program was the brainchild of Haim Roet, a child Holocaust survivor from Holland. Roet is also responsible for the initial organization of “Unto Every Person” and approached the same Jewish organizations involved to kick start his latest initiative.

Roet was rescued through joint efforts of non-Jews and Jews, so the project was close to his heart. As “Unto Every Person” began to take off, Roet established the Committee to Recognize the Heroism of Jewish Rescuers (JRJ) in which the World Center is also a major partner.

“Our principal contribution to the committee, other than popularizing the heroism of Jewish rescuers in Germany and occupied Europe during the Shoah,” Schneider said. “Is an annual ceremony in partnership with Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael.”

The B’nai B’rith Center for Jewish Identity coordinates the program on behalf of B’nai B’rith. The support for this program is made possible by the generous support of Kurt and Tessye Simon, (of blessed memory). The center chair, Nancy Braun, announced that “Unto Every Person” programming for 2014 will be held on Yom Hashoah, April 27, 2014.

The Center for Jewish Identity encourages communities to continue to promote the important task of collecting names of victims of the Holocaust and submitting “Pages of Testimony” to Yad Vashem. These pages are intended to serve as a lasting memorial for the victims and are preserved in the Hall of Names at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem.  The names are also added to the central database. Time is running out to get first hand information, so it is important to collect as much information as possible from survivors and their families. If you need further information or want to bring the “Unto Every Person There is a Name” to your community or your community’s Yom Hashoah observance, please contact Rhonda Love at rlove@bnaibrith.org. 


See photos and videos from select events across the U.S. and in Israel:

Members of the B'nai B'rith Henry Monsky Lodge in Omaha, Nebraska, hosted a discussion on anti-Semitism in America on April 3. 

ADL Regional Director Alan Potash, moderated the discussion on on the situation in America.  He also updated attendees on what's going on in Israel following the elections and the President Obama's trip to The Middle East.  

Every week B'nai B'rith Omaha hosts such a Breadbreakers luncheon.  The program is free to attend and an optional kosher meal is available for $11.