B'nai B'rith International
  • About Us
    • 175th Anniversary >
      • Timeline
    • Annual Report >
      • 2020 Annual Report
      • 2019 Annual Report
      • 2018 Annual Report
      • 990 Forms
    • Presidents Book
    • Around the World >
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Canada
      • Cuba
      • Europe
      • Israel
      • Latin America >
        • Argentina
        • Brazil
        • Chile, Bolivia and Peru >
          • Anti-Semitism Forum in Santiago 2019
        • Northern Latin America and the Caribbean
        • Organization of American States (OAS)
        • Uruguay and Paraguay
      • South Africa
      • United States >
        • Allegheny/Ohio Valley
        • Chesapeake Bay
        • Colorado
        • Evergreen
        • Golden Pacific
        • Great Lakes >
          • B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Scholarship Program
        • Greater Florida
        • Kentucky
        • Liberty
        • MetroNorth
        • Midwest
        • New England
        • North Central
        • Southern California >
          • Knesset B'nai B'rith
        • Omaha, Nebraska
        • Southern Communities >
          • Atlanta, Georgia
        • St. Louis, Missouri
        • Texarkoma
        • Tri-State
    • Departments & Careers
    • Calendar
    • Events >
      • 2020 National Healthcare Award
      • 2020 B'nai B'rith Leadership Forum
      • Jewish Holiday Calendar
      • Continuing Education
    • Insurance Programs
    • Leadership
    • Programs >
      • BBRAVO
      • For Communities >
        • Project H.O.P.E.
      • For Culture and Education >
        • Unto Every Person
        • Center For Jewish Identity
        • Enlighten America
        • Museum and Archives >
          • B'nai B'rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum® Collection
          • Holocaust Art Resource List
          • Palestine Mandate Coins
        • Smarter Kids - Safer Kids
      • For Kids >
        • B'nai B'rith Cares for Kids
        • Diverse Minds
    • Senior Staff
    • B'nai B'rith Connect >
      • B'nai B'rith Connect Fall 2019 Newsletter
      • Past Connect Events
    • Privacy Policy
  • Global Advocacy
    • Take Action!
    • Anti-Semitism / None Shall Be Afraid >
      • About None Shall Be Afraid
      • B'nai B'rith on the Front Lines
      • Resources
      • Students Speak Out Against Anti-Semitism Contest
      • Take Our Pledge
    • AJIRI-BBI
    • IMPACT: Emerging Leaders Fellowship
    • Intercommunal Affairs
    • Tolerance and Diversity
    • Europe
    • Latin America
    • Canada
    • Israel and The Middle East
    • United Nations
    • United States
  • Israel
    • World Center – Jerusalem >
      • Sally Bein
    • Israel and the Middle East
    • Israel Emergency Fund
    • Fighting BDS
    • History in Israel
    • Center Stage 2020
    • Previous Center Stage Editions
    • Jewish Rescuers Citation >
      • Jewish Rescue
  • Seniors
    • CSS Response to COVID-19
    • Virtual Trainings
    • CSS Advocacy
    • 50 Years of Senior Housing
    • B'nai B'rith Senior Housing Network Timeline >
      • Wilkes-Barre
      • Harrisburg, Pa.
      • St. Louis, Mo.
      • Reading, Pa.
      • Silver Spring, Md.
      • Allentown, Pa.
      • Peoria, Ill.
      • Houston, Texas
      • Claymont, Del.
      • Pasadena, Texas
      • Boston, Mass.
      • Hot Springs, Ark.
      • Queens, N.Y.
      • Scranton, Pa.
      • Fort Worth, Texas
      • Deerfield Beach, Fla.
      • Sheboygan, Wis.
      • Schenectady, N.Y.
      • South Orange, N.J.
      • Bronx, N.Y.
      • Tuscon, Ariz. - B'nai B'rith Covenant House
      • Marlton, N.J.
      • Los Angeles, Calif.
      • New Haven, Conn.
      • Chesilhurst, N.J.
      • Tucson, Ariz. - Gerd & Inge Strauss B'nai B'rith Manor on Pantano
      • Dothan, Ala.
      • Sudbury, Mass.
    • CSS Staff Bios
    • B'nai B'rith Resident Leadership Retreat
    • CSS Puerto Rico Meeting 2019
    • Housing Locations
    • Seniority Report Newsletter
  • Humanitarian Aid
    • Community Support
    • Cuba Relief >
      • Cuba Missions
      • Get Involved
      • Cuba Blog
      • Where We Work
      • Cuba History
    • Disaster Relief >
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Haiti
      • Latin America
      • United States >
        • SBP-New York Thanks B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief
  • News & Media
    • B'nai B'rith Impact
    • B'nai B'rith Magazine >
      • 2020 Winter B'nai B'rith Magazine
      • Magazine Archives
      • Past Magazine Articles
    • Expert Analysis >
      • Policy and Advocacy
      • Israel
      • Seniors
      • Jewish Identity
      • Community Action
    • In the News
    • Sign Up For B'nai B'rith Email Newsletters
    • Press Releases
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars and Conversations
    • Zero.Dot.Two Initiative
  • Partner with Us
    • B'nai B'rith Today
    • Give to B'nai B'rith
    • Membership
    • Planned Giving & Endowments >
      • Bequests
      • Charitable Gift Annuities
      • Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
      • Donor Testimonials
    • Giving >
      • Donate Stock
      • Foundations & Corporate Giving
      • Tribute Cards
      • Shop AmazonSmile
      • Purchase B'nai B'rith Apparel
    • Disaster Relief
    • Tree Of Life
    • Contact Form
  • B'nai B'rith Extra
    • Content For You
    • Upcoming Events

JNS: B'nai B'rith Expresses Concerns Over New Greek Government

1/29/2015

Comments

 
Picture
B'nai B'rith International was one of several Jewish organizations that weighed in on the results of the Greek parliament elections, after victories by the extreme Syriza, Independent Greeks (ANEL) and Golden Dawn parties. 

Greece has long struggled to combat anti-Semitism, and B'nai B'rith has followed the situation closely, engaging with government leaders to advocate for tolerance and help diffuse tensions. 

Here are notable events from the last three years:
  • ‘Protocols of the Elders of Zion’ read aloud in Greek Parliament
  • B'rith Leads Historic Three Country Mission (links here, here and here)
  • B’nai B’rith Alarmed Following Success of Far-Right Parties in Greek Elections
  • B’nai B’rith Meets With Greek Leaders During Opening of U.N. General Assembly Session
  • B'nai B'rith Praises Greek Efforts To Curb Anti-Semitism

B'nai B'rith International was quoted in an article on JNS.org, which reflected the organization's concerns for the election outcomes.

Read excerpts from the article below:


Jewish leaders have expressed both hope and concern over the outcome of the Greek election on Sunday, in which the radical left-wing Syriza party won 149 parliament seats and 36.3 percent of the vote. 

Syriza officials have called for the end of Israel’s “brutality against Palestinians,” and Panos Kammenos—the leader of the right-wing Independent Greeks (ANEL) party, with whom Syriza formed a majority coalition—garnered accusations of anti-Semitism last December for claiming that Greek Jews do not pay taxes. 

Golden Dawn, an extreme-right neo-Nazi party, placed third in results that polls suggested were driven largely by voters’ economic concerns.

The Greek Jewish community consists of about 5,000 people out of the country’s total population of 11.2 million, according to the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). 

The community has experienced rising anti-Semitic sentiment that is correlated with both the country’s economic crisis as well as escalations in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict such as last summer’s Operation Protective Edge in Gaza.

[...]

B’nai Brith International told JNS.org in a statement that the group is concerned by some “past statements about Israel made by [Syriza] party leaders,” but hopes “that the relationship with Israel, which had been building over the past decade in many fields, will be unaffected by the outcome.”
Continue Reading
Comments

Retrospective: B'nai B'rith Urges U.S. To Fund Auschwitz Memorial

1/28/2015

Comments

 
Picture
Five years ago, B'nai B'rith International commemorated the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz concentration camp, in part, by urging the United States government to help support the Auschwitz Memorial that had fallen critically short of funding.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum serves as a tribute to the lives lost at the most notorious of Nazi concentration camps, and also serves as a crucial reminder of the danger of hatred and intolerance to future generations.

B'nai B'rith asked President Barack Obama and the Senate Appropriations Committee to consider a $5 million budget item that could be designated to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation Perpetual Fund to help restore and maintain the memorial facilities.

Highlights of the statement can be read below:

B'nai B'rith Urges President to Include Budget 
Funds to Help Restore Auschwitz Memorial 

Jan. 25, 2010

Auschwitz must be restored to bear witness to Nazi tyranny and genocide. The memorial has proven a vital education site for millions of visitors.

The camp was constructed to be a housing and execution facility. Because of the lack of foundations and winter-proofing in many of the buildings, more than half of them are closed because they are unsafe for public entry. 

According to estimates by the museum, none of the buildings will be open for public visits within the next 10 or 20 years if plans for preservation are not implemented.

Current conservation and preservation needs are estimated to be in excess of $87 million. Under the plan of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Foundation Perpetual Fund, that sum will be collected from private and national donors and will be invested through a transparent process. 

Given the estimated annual accruement from that investment, the museum intends to use the interest gained to pay for regular conservation and maintenance efforts rather than requesting foreign aid regularly. 

Instead of repeatedly raising funds, under this system the museum will have the necessary revenue to maintain the facilities. More than 17 nations have agreed so far to contribute to the restoration. The United States must join this effort.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

The 2010 budget, released that July, reflected that the United States government was listening. 

Rather than the $5 million B'nai B'rith International requested, the United States devoted $15 million to the fund: 
At a special conference in Cracow, Clinton informed about the decision of the U.S. president Barack Obama. “The United States strongly encourages other nations who have not already done so to follow suit and to contribute to the Auschwitz-Birkenau fund. In 2009 alone, more than 1.3 million people from around the world visited the museum and memorial. The preservation and continuation of Auschwitz Memorial is essential so that future generations can see for themselves why the world must never again allow a place of such hatred to scar the soul of humankind."

Comments

B'nai B'rith Honors Head of University Healthsystem Consortium

1/22/2015

Comments

 
B'nai B'rith International recently announced that Irene M. Thompson, president and CEO of the University HealthSystem Consortium (UHC), will receive the organization's National Healthcare Award.

For three decades, B’nai B’rith has underscored the outstanding work of health care leaders and corporations that set the standards for health and education initiatives. The standards set by these distinguished professionals ultimately betters the lives of people throughout their communities and around the world.

Read more from the release posted on Noticias Baires: 
Picture

Picture
[...]

As president and chief executive officer, Thompson is responsible for the overall operation of UHC. Under her leadership UHC’s membership has grown significantly to 117 academic medical centers and nearly 330 of their affiliated hospitals. UHC represents the majority of the nation’s nonprofit academic medical centers to help them improve clinical, operational and financial performance.

Thompson is a member and the immediate past chair of the American Heart Association Midwest Affiliate Board of Directors and a member of the American Heart Association National Corporate Operations Committee. She also serves on the boards of directors for America’s Essential Hospitals and the National Center for Healthcare Leadership. Previously, Thompson served as board chair for UHC and for the Association of American Medical Colleges’ Council of Teaching Hospitals and Health Systems. She was president of the Kansas City, Kan., Chamber of Commerce and has served on numerous other community not-for-profit boards. In 2013 and 2007, Thompson was named one of Modern Healthcare Magazine’s Top 25 Women in Healthcare.

“With her current position overseeing UHC and all of its affiliates, combined with her work at the American Heart Association and a number of other non-profits, it’s clear that Irene Thompson is truly a leader in the field of health care. Not only is her track record impressive, but the number of leaders in her field endorsing her with the announcement of this award speaks to how deserving a recipient she is,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said.

The recipients of the B’nai B’rith National Healthcare Award have shown a history of dedicated leadership and outstanding civic involvement in the health care field and in the broader community. Award winners support philanthropic causes benefiting health, youth, seniors and education programs.


Continue Reading
Comments

Jewish Chronicle: Veteran B'nai B'rith Bowlers Keep On Rollin'

1/21/2015

Comments

 
Picture
The Jewish Chronicle of Pittsburgh, Pa. takes an in-depth look at a local chapter of the B'nai B'rith Bowling Association, which has been rolling in western Pennsylvania for nearly 40 years.

The club bowls every Wednesday night at Fun Fest in Harmarville, Pa., beginning at 8 p.m. Current league members range in age from 20-75.

Read highlights from the article, below:


Picture
In Harmarville on Wednesday nights, a group of Jewish men bowl. For many of them, this has been common practice for well over three decades.

[...]


The bowlers are affiliated with the International B’nai B’rith Bowling Association. For years, between 10 and 15 members of the local group traveled to the International B’nai B’rith Bowling Tournament.

[...]

Throughout the year, the group throws multiple social events. In the past, bowling-themed stag parties have occurred at Congregation Beth Shalom in Squirrel Hill, area restaurants or Rivers Casino. At the end of the year, the group hosts a banquet and awards prize money to members. 

[...]

During the season, bowling occurs on Wednesday nights at Fun Fest in Harmarville, 2525 Freeport Road. Prospective members can contact Neustein at 412-422-2782 for more information.

Continue Reading
Comments

State Of The Union: B'nai B'rith International's Immediate Reaction

1/20/2015

Comments

 
Picture
B'nai B'rith International live tweeted U.S. President Barack Obama's State of the Union address, responding to items of particular interest to the organization's policy advocacy.

Read a recap of the tweets, below:

Despite negotiations, @BnaiBrith remains deeply concerned about Iran’s nuclear weapons program. We need to keep up pressure on Tehran. #SOTU

— B'nai B'rith Int'l (@BnaiBrith) January 21, 2015

.@BnaiBrith stands with Pres. @BarackObama condemning “deplorable anti-Semitism” that have resurfaced around the world. #SOTU

— B'nai B'rith Int'l (@BnaiBrith) January 21, 2015

.@BnaiBrith: Terror threats in France & around the world is very serious. We need consensus game plan to get to heart of problem. #SOTU

— B'nai B'rith Int'l (@BnaiBrith) January 21, 2015

President @BarackObama condemns global terror attacks in #SOTU. @BnaiBrith stands in solidary with ALL peace-loving democratic countries.

— B'nai B'rith Int'l (@BnaiBrith) January 21, 2015
Comments

Flashback: B'nai B'rith Advocates U.N. To End Religious Intolerance

1/20/2015

Comments

 
Picture
On this date in 1965, B'nai B'rith International was cited in an article in the Jewish Telegraphic Agency for its efforts to end all religious intolerance in the United Nations.

The advocacy efforts were later detailed by Dr. William E. Korey, director of the New York Bureau of the B'nai B'rith International Council, in the February 1965 issue of the National Jewish Monthly, a publication produced by B'nai B'rith:
This month, the United Nations General Assembly will be deeply involved in creating a historic and powerful legal instrument directed against discrimination on racial and ethnic grounds. The so-called 'Convention of the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination' will bind all states that ratify it to take specific measures aimed at removing barriers to human dignity.

While this proposed international treaty is particularly popular in Asian and African circles, it is instructive to note that the decision to write it was sparked by the 'swastika epidemic' of 1959-60. The 'epidemic' had been triggered by the swastika desecration of a synagogue in Cologne, West Germany, on December 24, 1959; in the next few months, some 1,800 incidents of an anti-Semitic character were reported in over 40 countries.

[...]

Of particular interest to Jewish communities throughout the world is a new Article that has been advanced be the United States to 'condemn anti-Semitism' and to oblige contracting states to 'take action...for its speedy eradication...' President Lyndon B. Johnson states last October in a message to a New York rally on Soviet anti-Semitism that he had personally 'instructed' the American delegate to the Commission on Human Rights, Mrs. Marietta Tree, to propose the new article for the Convention.

[...]

B'nai B'rith has made available a specially-prepared memorandum which spells out the reasons why an Article condemning anti-Semitism is particularly appropriate for the contemplated international treaty. Among other things it points out that anti-Semitism is a form of racial or ethnic discrimination which has a longer and more persistent history than perhaps any other form, reaching back more than 2,000 years.

Furthermore, anti-Semitism is a classic example--as evidenced by the history of naziism--of the use of racial and ethnic discrimination as an instrument for the seizure of political power, for the destruction of free institutions and for the launching of foreign aggression.

[...]

In addition to promoting the support of the article, B'nai B'rith in vigorously urging that effective implementation machinery be established by the Convention to see that it is enforced. Were the implementation machinery to include a procedure for not merely complaints by governments about violations of the treaty--this seems to have considerable support--but also complaints from non-governmental organizations, then a long step forward would have been taken in the direction of enforcement of human rights.
The end goal of the Convention was to ensure religious freedom throughout the world. This is a policy upon which the organization has made great strides, and is still vigorously pursued by B'nai B'rith International 50 years later.

Read the JTA article in its entirety, below:

Picture
U. N. Body Hears More Jewish Pleas to Protect Religious Rights

January 20, 1965

Two international organizations–one of which has the American Jewish Committee as an affiliate, and the other representing B’nai B’rith and the Board of Deputies of British Jews–urged a United Nations body here today not only to adopt an international convention calling for the elimination of all forms of religious intolerance, but also to formulate procedures of implementation which would put enforcement teeth into a UN document guaranteeing religious freedom throughout the world.

The steps were taken here before the United Nations Sub commission on the Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities. This 14 member body has before it several preliminary drafts of a religious freedoms convention which became international law when finally adopted by the UN General Assembly and ratified by a sufficient number of member states.

The statements were submitted by the International League for the Rights of Man, represented here by Sidney Liskofsky, a staff member of the American Jewish Committee, which is affiliated with the League; and by Gustav Warburg, representing the Coordinating Board of Jewish Organizations, comprised of the B’nai B’rith and the British Board.

JTA.org
Comments

German Women’s Soccer Team Visits Israel With B'nai B'rith

1/20/2015

Comments

 
To honor the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Germany and Israel, B'nai B'rith International's World Center and B’nai B’rith Frankfurt Lodge President Ralph Hofmannarranged a goodwill soccer tour by the German women's powerhouse FCC Turbine Potsdam.

The squad arrived in Germany on Monday and will remain for the rest of the week. Coverage of the visit can be found in the Jerusalem Post and through team social media and publications.

Read excerpts from the publications, below:
Picture

Turbine-Gezwitscher! wurde gerade veröffentlicht! http://t.co/TXvSY4fUfv Vielen Dank an @womensoccer_de @RedBrian76 @frauenfussballi

— Turbine Potsdam (@turbinepotsdam) January 20, 2015

HaOlam.de (German):

Die Spielerinnen von Turbine Potsdam sind gestern in Israel gelandet. Heute und morgen haben sie Zeit, sich ein wenig zu akklimatisieren und einige Sehenswürdigkeiten zu bestaunen, eh sie morgen gegen das israelische U19-Team antreten. Übrigens: das Spiel können Sie ab 17 Uhr deutscher Zeit im Live-Stream des israelischen Sportkanals sport5 verfolgen.
Zur Seite des Live-Streams

Jerusalem Post:

B’nai B’rith World Center Trustee and B’nai B’rith Frankfurt Lodge President Ralph Hofmann initiated the visit.

The team’s trip will be a milestone in woman’s soccer in Israel. It will provide an opportunity to improve the sporting level, while also increasing interest in women’s soccer and improving sporting ties between the two countries.

[...]

The team’s visit will include an official friendly match with the Israeli national under-19 team, training clinics and visits to significant national and historical sites including Jerusalem’s Old City, Masada and Yad Vashem.

The visit was coordinated by the B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem – the official presence of B’nai B’rith International in Jerusalem and its public affairs arm in Israel.

Nearly 30 players and professional staff will participate in the visit, in addition to two representatives of the German television station RBB.
Read More
Comments

JNS: Terrorism In France Inspires Anti-Israel Conspiracy Theories

1/12/2015

 
Picture
It was a devastating start to the new year in France, as a total of 17 innocent civilians were executed by Islamic terrorists in four separate incidents in Paris. 

After a major attack on the satirical publisher Charlie Hebdo on Thursday, the Jewish community was specifically targeted with a deadly hostage situation on Friday in the kosher supermarket Hyper Cacher.

While anti-Semitic attacks in France have largely flown under the radar in recent years, they are increasingly common for the French Jewish community. 

B'nai B'rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin was quoted in an article in the Jewish News Service, urging European leaders to be proactive against fanatical Islam.

Read excerpts from the story, below:



[...]

Since the March 2012 attack in which Mohammed Merah killed three children and a rabbi at Jewish school in Toulouse, the threat of Islamic terrorism has not let up for Jews and the general public in France.

[...]

B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin told JNS.org that those outside of France and Europe should “call on leadership to really begin to address this growing menace” of Islamism.

“These threats are threats [not only to Jews but also] to the democratic fabric of post-war Europe,” and European leaders cannot go on much longer without well-organized efforts to deal with the problem, Mariaschin said.

PJV: U.N. Rejects Abbas Israeli Withdrawal Timeline Resolution

1/8/2015

Comments

 
B'nai B'rith International is an outspoken critic of the ongoing efforts by Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas to avoid bilateral negotiations with Israel in favor of lobbying in world bodies.

Peace can only be achieved through meaningful, bilateral negotiations. The PA’s continued internationalization of the conflict with Israel has only exacerbated the situation.

B'nai B'rith's statement of condemnation was featured in the Philadelphia Jewish Voice. Read an excerpt from the article, below:
Picture

[...]

The United Nations Security Council Tuesday rejected a Palestinian resolution demanding Israel withdraw from disputed territories within three years. The motion fell one short of the minimum nine “yes” votes in the Security Council. It received eight “yes” votes, two “no” votes and five abstentions:

No: The United States and Australia
Yes: Russia, China, France, Argentina, Chad, Chile, Jordan and Luxembourg.
Abstain: The United Kingdom, Lithuania Nigeria, South Korea and Rwanda.

[...]

Nevertheless, Abbas continues to pin the Palestinian Authority’s hopes on the United Nations instead of engaging in serious negotiations with Israel. 

A day after the Palestinian bid for a mandatory Israeli withdrawal to pre-1967 lines failed at the UN Security Council, Mahmoud Abbas signed a Palestinian request to join the International Criminal Court. He plans to bring Israeli officials before the court for alleged war crimes. 

Israel Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu says “That step will be blocked too. If anyone needs to fear facing the international court, it is the Palestinians.”

B’nai B’rith International says Abbas’ machinations have made patently clear its unpreparedness to make the hard decisions necessary to finally achieve peace and coexistence.

       Abbas’ path of confrontation and unilateralism gravely violates his responsibility to end the conflict through meaningful 
       direct negotiations and compromise with Israel. His path also denies Israel basic guarantees of its security and 
       recognition as a Jewish state.

Comments

Recap: B'nai B'rith Praises Return Of Alan Gross From Cuba

1/7/2015

Comments

 
The start of Chanukah brought the welcome news that Alan Gross was returning to the United States from Cuba, where he had been held in deteriorating health for five years.

B'nai B'rith International expressed relief that he would be reunited with his family and gratitude to the administration for facilitating the high-level negotiations necessary to bring him back to the United States.

The statement was featured in a number of publications, including the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, The Jewish Journal, the New Jersey Jewish News, Foreign Relations. A separate interview with B'nai B'rith International Director of Latin American Affairs Eduardo Kohn appeared in the Jerusalem Post.

Read a recap of the media coverage, below:

Jewish Telegraphic Agency

[...]

Daniel Mariaschin, who directs B'nai B'rith International, a group with a strong Latin American presence, said a new era of ties "will raise the profile of Latin American communities and interest in those communities."

[...]

Obama insisted that Gross was not part of the spy exchange and that, in fact, his imprisonment held up changes to the U.S. Cuba relationship he had intended on initiating years ago.

"While I've been prepared to take additional steps for some time, a major obstacle stood in our way," the president said, referring to Gross' "wrongful imprisonment."
Full JTA

JTA Article Also Ran In:

Heritage Florida Jewish News
Intermountain Jewish News
Jewish Community Voice
San Diego Jewish Journal
The Jewish Exponent
The Jewish Daily Forward

NJJN Article Also Ran In:

New Jersey Jewish Standard

Jewish Journal

B’nai B’rith International warmly welcomes, and is relieved by the news of, Alan Gross’ release from a Cuban prison after five years. 

The United States and Cuban governments announced this morning that Gross will be returned to America in exchange for three Cubans jailed in Florida.

Gross was arrested in 2009 while working to set up Internet access for the Cuban-Jewish community as a contractor for the U.S. Agency for International Development.

B’nai B’rith is grateful for the efforts of the Administration and all those who assisted in facilitating the high-level discussions leading to Gross’ release. 

We are thinking of Gross, his family and his friends on the occasion of his release, especially coming during the holiday of Chanukah.

Full JJ

New Jersey Jewish News:

Jewish groups, ecstatic over the release of the suburban Washington resident, were cautiously optimistic in greeting news of the thaw.

[...]

Daniel Mariaschin, who directs B’nai B’rith International, a group with a strong Latin American presence, said a new era of ties “will raise the profile of Latin American communities and interest in those communities.”

Full NJJN

Foreign Affairs Inc.:

[...]

Cuban security arrested Gross in December 2009, sending a strong message to the U.S. government and collecting a bargaining chip to help in negotiations over Cuba’s biggest grievance with Washington: the 1998 arrest in Miami of the “Cuban Five,” spies convicted of contributing to the deaths of four Americans. 

It is likely that Gross was targeted because he is Jewish­—not out of anti-Semitism, but because his identity would make him a more valuable asset during negotiations.

Soon after Gross was jailed, a campaign to win his release took shape. The American Jewish Committee, the Anti-Defamation League, B’nai B’rith International, the Jewish Federation of Greater Washington, the Jewish Community Relations Council, and the Orthodox Union all played a role. 
Full FA
Comments
<<Previous

    In the News

    B'nai B'rith International is the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. 

    The following highlights stories, around the world, where our leadership has been quoted.

    Op-eds are published with full text and excerpts from stories are included with links back to the full article.

    RSS Feed

    Tweets by @BnaiBrith

    Archives

    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    September 2011
    May 2011
    March 2010

    All rights reserved.  Stories are attributed to the original copyright holders.

    Categories

    All
    7/7
    9-11
    Abraham Accords
    Abraham Lincoln
    Adas Israel
    Adl
    Adriana Camisar
    Advocacy
    Aepi
    Agence France-Presse
    Ahepa
    AJN
    Alan Dershowitz
    Alan Schneider
    Alberto Nisman
    Alejandro Avruj
    Alexander Haig
    Alex Jakubowski
    Algemeiner
    Alina Bricman
    Aliya
    Allan J Jacobs
    Alsace
    Amazon
    Americanism Award
    AMIA
    Amia Bombings
    Amos Lodge
    Andover
    Andy Borans
    Andy Pollin
    Anti Defamation Commission
    Anti-defamation Commission
    Antisemitic
    Anti Semitism
    Anti-semitism
    Argentina
    Arizona Jewish Post
    Arutz Sheva
    Asa
    Asuntos Publicos
    Auschwitz
    Australia
    Austria
    Babyn Yar
    Bagel Brigade
    Bahrain
    Baltimore Jewish Life
    Baltimore Jewish Times
    Ban Ki Moon
    Ban Ki-moon
    Barack Obama
    Bar Des Fleurs
    BBCJRP
    Bbyl
    Bbyo
    Bds
    Beacon Communities Development Llc
    Beatriz Pellizzari
    Benjamin Netanyahu
    Berlin
    Bernie Sanders
    Berta Davidovitz Rubinsztejn
    Biden
    B'nai B
    B'nai B'rith
    Bnai Brith
    B'nai B'rith Australia
    B'nai B'rith Bowling
    B'nai Brith Canada
    B'nai B'rith Europe
    B'nai B'rith France
    B'nai B'rith Housing
    B'nai B'rith Latinoamerica
    B'nai B'rith Magazine
    B'nai B'rith Real Estate
    B'nai B'rith Switzerland
    B'nai B'rith Uk
    Bolivia
    Boston
    Brazil
    Breaking Israel News
    Brett Yormark
    Brian Tinsman
    Brooklyn Eagle
    Brooklyn Nets
    Bruce Pascal
    Brussels
    Buddy Bears
    Buenos Aires
    Carmen Lomellin
    Cciu
    Chaim Weizmann
    Channel 4
    Charlie Hebdo
    Cheddar TV
    Cherokee High School
    Cheryl Kempler
    Chicago
    Clubhouse
    CNN
    Columbia Lighthouse For The Blind
    Comedy Central
    Conference Of Presidents
    Conflict Kitchen
    Congress
    Connect
    Connecticut Jewish Ledger
    Courage To Care
    Covenant Place
    Covid19
    Crif
    Cristina Fernandez De Kirchner
    Critica.com.pa
    Css
    Cuba
    Cyprus
    Daniel Jacobs
    Daniel Rafecas
    Daniel S Mariaschin
    Daniel Sturla
    David Horovitz
    David J Michaels
    Delmarva
    Delmarva Power
    Delmarva Power Conference Center
    Dexter-van-zile
    Diario Judío México
    Diaspora
    Disability
    Disaster Relief
    Disney Channel
    Distinguished-achievement-award
    Diverse-minds
    Divestment
    Dojas
    Don-isaac-abravanel-lodge
    Dr-dvir-abramovich
    East-end-capital
    Easter
    Ebay
    Ebola
    Ecuador
    Ecumenical-theological-research-fraternity
    Eduardo Kohn
    Elie-wiesel
    El-observador
    El-pais
    Emir-abdullah
    Emory
    Eric Fusfield
    Erika-van-gelder
    Espectador
    Estados-unidos-y-uruguay
    Etsy
    Eugene Meyer
    EUJS
    European Union
    Eve Swabe
    Facebook
    Fatah
    Faye Dubrowin
    Felxi Klein
    Fernando Polack
    Flood
    Fox News
    Fox-news-latino
    France
    Frederick-lawrence
    French
    Friendship Club For The Blind
    Fulvio Martusciello
    Gary Saltzman
    Gaza
    Gazette
    Genocide
    German
    Germany
    Gilbert Steingart
    Glen Eira
    Global Forum For Combating Anti-Semitism
    Golda Meir
    Goodbye Kramer
    Good Deeds Day
    Greece
    Gustavo Galante
    Gyorgy Yitzhak Gyuri
    Haaretz
    Hamas
    Harari
    HarperCollins
    Hassan Rouhani
    Hebrew
    Hebrew Union College
    Héctor Timerman
    Heinz Endowments
    Henry Monsky
    Henry-monsky-lodge
    Herald Sun
    Hezbollah
    Hillary Clinton
    Hillel
    History News Network
    Holocaust
    Holocaust Denial
    Holocaust Education
    Homecrest House
    Hudson Institute
    Huffington Post
    Human Rights
    Hungary
    Hyper Cacher
    Iba
    Idan Raichel
    IDC
    Idf
    If-no-one-was-different
    Immigration
    Infopublico
    Insurancenewsnet
    Interfaith
    International Business Times
    International Congress On Religious Freedom
    Iran
    Irwin-cotler
    Isis
    Islamic Jihad
    IsraAID
    Israel
    Israel-forever-foundation
    Israel Hayom
    Italian-national-day
    Italy
    Iton Gadol
    J100
    Janel Doughten
    JBS
    JDAD
    Jerusalem
    Jerusalem Post
    Jewish
    Jewish Chronicle
    Jewish Daily Forward
    Jewish Exponent
    Jewish Ideas Daily
    Jewish Insider
    Jewish Journal
    Jewish Museum
    Jewish Museum Berlin
    Jewish-museum-of-belgium
    Jewish News Uk
    Jewish Press
    Jewish Scene
    Jewish Telegraphic Agency
    Jewish Tribune
    Jewish Week
    Jews
    JISS
    Jns
    JNS.org
    Joel Kaplan
    John Kerry
    Jonathan-pacifici
    Jonathan Yormak
    Jorge-traverso
    Jose Amorin
    Joseph Bau
    Journalism Awards
    Jrj
    J Street
    Jta
    Juan Carlos Varela
    Judy Maltz
    Julia Neuberger
    Julio Maria Sanguinetti
    July-9th-symposium
    J Weekly
    J-Weekly
    JWire
    Kathimerini
    Kedailadaatcom
    Keene Sentinel
    Keith-harper
    Kevin Garnett
    Kira-kiwi
    Klaus Netter
    Klutznick
    Knesset
    Kramer-hall-art-gallery
    Kristallnacht
    Kudler-award
    La-nacion
    La Red 21
    Latin America
    Lavoz.com
    Le-bar-des-fleures-podcast
    Le Bar Des Fleures Podcast8a1df9cf84
    Liaison-committee
    Linda Frumkes
    London
    Los Angeles
    Luis Almagro
    Macklemore
    Mahmoud Abbas
    Mann Report
    Mark Olshan
    Mary-kate-donahue
    Matan-hodorov
    Mathias-dopfner62ed3885a3
    Mazal News
    McGraw-hill
    Media
    Medicare
    Meir Brand
    Menachem-begin-heritage-center
    Mercosur
    Mexico
    Michael-rudman
    Mickey Berkowitz
    Middle East
    Midwest
    Monica-keszler
    Murray-shusterman
    Musees-nationaux-recuperation
    National Jewish Monthly
    National Security
    Navi-pillay
    Nazi
    Nazism
    Nbc-4
    New Jersey
    News02elf
    Newsweek
    New York City
    New York Daily News
    New York Times
    Nicaragua
    Nicolas-maduro
    Night Of Broken Glass
    Nuno Wahnon Martins
    Nuno-wahnon-martins
    Nurit-hirsh
    Oas
    Ohio
    Ohio State University Marching Band
    Omaha
    Oriental-radio
    OSCE
    P5+1
    PA
    Padre Jose Maria Di Paolo
    Palestine
    Palestinians
    Pam-goodman
    Panama
    Paraguay
    Paraguay-foreign-minister-eladio-loizaga
    Paris Conference On Middle East Peace
    Passover
    Peace
    Pentagon
    Peoria
    Pepco-edison-place-gallery
    Periodistadigitalcom
    Petra-heldt
    Peyton-manning
    Philadelphia
    Philadelphia Inquirer
    Philippines
    Pittsburgh
    PLO
    Pogrom
    Pope Francis
    Portugal
    Portuguese
    Presbyterian-church-usa
    Project Hope
    Project-hope9169e1889c
    Rabbi-david-saperstein
    Rachel Goldberg
    Radio Jai
    Ralph-hofmann
    Raoul Wallenberg
    Reda-mansour
    Religious-action-center-of-reform-judaism
    Religious Liberty
    Rescuers Citation
    Restitution
    Restitution And Holocaust Education
    Reuters
    Reuven-rivlin
    Richard-heideman
    Richmond Times-dispatch
    Rima-khalaf
    Ron Dermer
    Rosh Hashanah
    Russell Brand
    Salir-adelante
    Sanctions
    Scranton
    Sears
    Seder
    Senior Prom
    Senior Services
    September-11th
    Seth-rogen
    Seton Hall
    Shalom Tv
    Shot-in-the-dark
    Sierra Leone
    Skirball Museum
    Social Security
    Spain
    Spanish
    Spokane Symphony
    Sri-lanka
    Stanley Cohen
    State Of The Union
    Stéphane Teicher
    St-louis
    St-louis-jewish-light
    Stockton-college
    Storify
    Struthof
    Subrayado
    Sudan
    Sussex-tech
    Switzerland
    Syria
    Syriza
    Tal Brody
    Ted Cruz
    Telavivi
    Tel Aviv Maccabi
    Terezin-declaration
    Terror
    Terrorism
    Texas
    The Daily Show
    Thejccom
    The Jewish Week
    The-suburban
    Times Of Israel
    Tlv1
    Trevor Noah
    Tuscon
    Twitter
    UN
    Unasur
    Un-division-on-palestinian-rights
    Unesco
    Un Human Rights Council
    United Arab Emirates
    United Nations
    United States
    UNSC
    Unto Every Person
    Unto Every Person There Is A Name
    Uruguay
    Usa-ambassador-to-the-oas
    Valentina Lisitsa
    Vanderbilt
    Vatican
    Venezuela
    Veterans
    Vin News
    Virginia Bar Association
    Vis A Vis
    Vis-a-vis
    Washington Dc
    Washington Free Beacon
    Washington Jewish Week
    We Walk To Remember
    World Center
    Worldherald
    World-trade-center
    World Zionist Congress
    Wrestlemania
    Wrestling
    Wwe
    Yahoo
    Yitzhak-santis
    Ynet
    Yom Hashoah
    Yom-kippur
    Young-leadership-network
    Ypd
    Yuval-steinitz
    Zack-varrato

Connect With Us

About B'nai B'rith

Contact Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletters
Programs


Support Our Work

Attend an Event
Become a Member
Donate Now
B'nai B'rith Apparel

Subscribe

Apple Podcasts
Spotify

Stitcher
​Youtube
​​
© 2021 - B'nai B'rith International 

1120 20th Street NW, Suite 300N
Washington, D.C. 20036

Phone: 202-857-6600
Privacy Policy 
Picture
  • About Us
    • 175th Anniversary >
      • Timeline
    • Annual Report >
      • 2020 Annual Report
      • 2019 Annual Report
      • 2018 Annual Report
      • 990 Forms
    • Presidents Book
    • Around the World >
      • Australia & New Zealand
      • Canada
      • Cuba
      • Europe
      • Israel
      • Latin America >
        • Argentina
        • Brazil
        • Chile, Bolivia and Peru >
          • Anti-Semitism Forum in Santiago 2019
        • Northern Latin America and the Caribbean
        • Organization of American States (OAS)
        • Uruguay and Paraguay
      • South Africa
      • United States >
        • Allegheny/Ohio Valley
        • Chesapeake Bay
        • Colorado
        • Evergreen
        • Golden Pacific
        • Great Lakes >
          • B'nai B'rith Great Lakes Scholarship Program
        • Greater Florida
        • Kentucky
        • Liberty
        • MetroNorth
        • Midwest
        • New England
        • North Central
        • Southern California >
          • Knesset B'nai B'rith
        • Omaha, Nebraska
        • Southern Communities >
          • Atlanta, Georgia
        • St. Louis, Missouri
        • Texarkoma
        • Tri-State
    • Departments & Careers
    • Calendar
    • Events >
      • 2020 National Healthcare Award
      • 2020 B'nai B'rith Leadership Forum
      • Jewish Holiday Calendar
      • Continuing Education
    • Insurance Programs
    • Leadership
    • Programs >
      • BBRAVO
      • For Communities >
        • Project H.O.P.E.
      • For Culture and Education >
        • Unto Every Person
        • Center For Jewish Identity
        • Enlighten America
        • Museum and Archives >
          • B'nai B'rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum® Collection
          • Holocaust Art Resource List
          • Palestine Mandate Coins
        • Smarter Kids - Safer Kids
      • For Kids >
        • B'nai B'rith Cares for Kids
        • Diverse Minds
    • Senior Staff
    • B'nai B'rith Connect >
      • B'nai B'rith Connect Fall 2019 Newsletter
      • Past Connect Events
    • Privacy Policy
  • Global Advocacy
    • Take Action!
    • Anti-Semitism / None Shall Be Afraid >
      • About None Shall Be Afraid
      • B'nai B'rith on the Front Lines
      • Resources
      • Students Speak Out Against Anti-Semitism Contest
      • Take Our Pledge
    • AJIRI-BBI
    • IMPACT: Emerging Leaders Fellowship
    • Intercommunal Affairs
    • Tolerance and Diversity
    • Europe
    • Latin America
    • Canada
    • Israel and The Middle East
    • United Nations
    • United States
  • Israel
    • World Center – Jerusalem >
      • Sally Bein
    • Israel and the Middle East
    • Israel Emergency Fund
    • Fighting BDS
    • History in Israel
    • Center Stage 2020
    • Previous Center Stage Editions
    • Jewish Rescuers Citation >
      • Jewish Rescue
  • Seniors
    • CSS Response to COVID-19
    • Virtual Trainings
    • CSS Advocacy
    • 50 Years of Senior Housing
    • B'nai B'rith Senior Housing Network Timeline >
      • Wilkes-Barre
      • Harrisburg, Pa.
      • St. Louis, Mo.
      • Reading, Pa.
      • Silver Spring, Md.
      • Allentown, Pa.
      • Peoria, Ill.
      • Houston, Texas
      • Claymont, Del.
      • Pasadena, Texas
      • Boston, Mass.
      • Hot Springs, Ark.
      • Queens, N.Y.
      • Scranton, Pa.
      • Fort Worth, Texas
      • Deerfield Beach, Fla.
      • Sheboygan, Wis.
      • Schenectady, N.Y.
      • South Orange, N.J.
      • Bronx, N.Y.
      • Tuscon, Ariz. - B'nai B'rith Covenant House
      • Marlton, N.J.
      • Los Angeles, Calif.
      • New Haven, Conn.
      • Chesilhurst, N.J.
      • Tucson, Ariz. - Gerd & Inge Strauss B'nai B'rith Manor on Pantano
      • Dothan, Ala.
      • Sudbury, Mass.
    • CSS Staff Bios
    • B'nai B'rith Resident Leadership Retreat
    • CSS Puerto Rico Meeting 2019
    • Housing Locations
    • Seniority Report Newsletter
  • Humanitarian Aid
    • Community Support
    • Cuba Relief >
      • Cuba Missions
      • Get Involved
      • Cuba Blog
      • Where We Work
      • Cuba History
    • Disaster Relief >
      • Africa
      • Asia
      • Haiti
      • Latin America
      • United States >
        • SBP-New York Thanks B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief
  • News & Media
    • B'nai B'rith Impact
    • B'nai B'rith Magazine >
      • 2020 Winter B'nai B'rith Magazine
      • Magazine Archives
      • Past Magazine Articles
    • Expert Analysis >
      • Policy and Advocacy
      • Israel
      • Seniors
      • Jewish Identity
      • Community Action
    • In the News
    • Sign Up For B'nai B'rith Email Newsletters
    • Press Releases
    • Podcasts
    • Webinars and Conversations
    • Zero.Dot.Two Initiative
  • Partner with Us
    • B'nai B'rith Today
    • Give to B'nai B'rith
    • Membership
    • Planned Giving & Endowments >
      • Bequests
      • Charitable Gift Annuities
      • Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT)
      • Donor Testimonials
    • Giving >
      • Donate Stock
      • Foundations & Corporate Giving
      • Tribute Cards
      • Shop AmazonSmile
      • Purchase B'nai B'rith Apparel
    • Disaster Relief
    • Tree Of Life
    • Contact Form
  • B'nai B'rith Extra
    • Content For You
    • Upcoming Events