Category: Advocacy

Australia: Local leaders condemn violence Against Jews in Israel

10/16/2015

B'nai B'rith has been outspoken in condemning the violence against Jews and incitement of Palestinian terrorism in Israel. The organization has called on Palestinian leadership and the United Nations to do their parts in quelling the violence, and have asked major media outlets to cover the situation responsibly.

This week, International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin and B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (Australia) chairman Dvir Abramovich released a joint statement condemning the violence.

The Australian Jewish News included quotes from the release in an article recapping Australia's response to the attacks. Read excerpts from the article below:

In a joint statement, B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich and B’nai B’rith International executive vice-president Dan Mariaschin said the lack of outcry against the wave of terror was disturbing.

“If a rash of terror broke out in any other democratic nation, most of the international community would be appalled,” they said.

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Read Full Statement

Iran Deal Filibuster is 'Horrible Idea Insulting to American Process'

9/10/2015

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The Senate has until Sept. 17 to consider the proposed Iran nuclear deal.

In an effort to derail the discussion on the Senate floor, Democratic leadership is now publicly discussing the filibuster option, claiming that the process has become obsolete with 42 Senators pledging to vote in line with the administration.

B'nai B'rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin told newspaper Algemeiner that filibustering would be a mistake. Read his full comments below:

[...]

Daniel S. Mariaschin, executive vice president of B’nai Birith International said it would be a “mistake” to close out the debate on an issue where “every [congressman] should be heard,” especially as the White House failed to whip up support among some of the most powerful Democrats in Congress.

While both groups acknowledged that the president has enough support to keep Congress from killing the deal...they called for legislation demanding accountability while registering the wide opposition to the deal.

Mariaschin called it “just the beginning of the process on the Iranian issue,” encouraging bipartisan measures to “ensure greater accountability.”

Jewish groups, pro-Israel lobbies and, of course, Israel, among others are concerned the nuclear deal will empower Iran to work toward carrying out its stated goals of occupying Jerusalem and destroying the Jewish state; just Wednesday morning Khamenei predicted the “Zionist regime” would no longer exist in 25 years, which also happens to be when the final provisions of the nuclear deal expire.

“One has to be extremely skeptical going forward. [The Iranians] say they got the better end of this deal,” said Mariaschin, noting Iranian claims to victory over the international sanctions regime that will disintegrate with the deal’s implementation.

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Video: B'nai B'rith's Mariaschin Moderates Global Anti-Semitism Panel

6/23/2015

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B'nai B'rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin moderated a panel during the 5th Global Forum for Combating Anti-Semitism, offering some remarks on behalf of the organization before introducing the speakers.

Watch his segment below, along with the additional remarks from the six presenters:

Watch Full Forum Coverage

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Throwback Thursday: B'nai B'rith, Abraham Lincoln And The Jews

6/4/2015

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On April 15, America observed the 150th anniversary of the death of President Abraham Lincoln, and B'nai B'rith International remembered his impact on the then fledgling Jewish community in the United States.

Appearing in the Summer 2015 issue of B'nai B'rith Magazine, staff curator Cheryl A. Kempler examines the recently published book "Lincoln and the Jews: A History" by Jonathan D. Sarna and Benjamin Shapell. Among other things, she highlights B'nai B'rith's early advocacy efforts with the 16th president, and how his actions on behalf of the Jewish community set the tone for Jews in America.

Additionally, B'nai B'rith Magazine editor Eugene L. Meyer critiqued for the Washington Independent Review of Books. He too notes how "the Great Emancipator was a Philo-Semite."

Read excerpts from Kempler and Meyer's reviews of the book and President Lincoln, below:

Lincoln & the Jews: A History

“More than any previous president,” writes Sarna of Lincoln, “he befriended Jews, defended Jews, and promoted Jewish equality.”

On one occasion, Lincoln acceded to the plea of an accused rebel blockade runner to be released from prison. The captive Confederate, J.G. Cohen, was a nephew of Zacharie, Lincoln’s associate. On March 16, 1864, Lincoln instructed the secretary of the Navy, “Let this man take the oath [of loyalty to the Union] of Dec. 8 and be discharged.”

On another occasion, Lincoln allowed Charles Jonas, a Confederate officer and prisoner-of-war who was the son of his old friend Abe Jonas, to be paroled for three weeks “to visit his dying father.”

“I myself have a regard for the Jews,” Lincoln remarked to Henry Wentworth Monk, a self-proclaimed prophet of peace who visited the White House.

After reading this book, I am tempted to declare: I am a Lincoln Republican. Schooled in the Old Testament, Lincoln was given to quoting from it in his formal speeches and on other occasions.

On a carriage ride with his wife the morning before he was fatally shot at Ford’s Theatre, Mary Todd Lincoln later recalled that Lincoln expressed a desire in retirement to travel to the Holy Land. Tragically, he never got his wish. But, fittingly, perhaps, in central Jerusalem, there is Lincoln Street, a crooked road named for the martyred American president.

Meyer's Full Review

Lincoln & The Jews: The Last Word?

Just as important, Sarna’s findings open the door to the perception that Lincoln could relate to a variety of Jewish people, from powerful attorneys and civic leaders to local haberdashers and town photographers, not just because he was a politician needing their support but because his ethical beliefs aligned with those of the Jewish religion.

General Ulysses S. Grant’s General Orders Number 11, a decree expelling Jews “as a class” from military areas under his control, was issued after he’d received reports of smugglers and speculators colluding with Confederates.

B’nai B’rith St. Louis Lodge President Isidor Bush, a political supporter of the president, sent a letter to Lincoln protesting the decree. Cesar Kaskel, a businessman and Jewish community leader in Paducah, Ky., telegrammed Lincoln, then met with him in Washington. Lincoln rescinded Grant’s order the next day.

One of America’s most eminent Jewish leaders, B’nai B’rith member Rabbi Isaac M. Wise, urged President Abraham Lincoln to appoint Jewish chaplains.

Identified as B’nai B’rith leaders in Lincoln’s concentric circles are Washington-based attorney Simon Wolf, and Bush, who fought for the Union and worked in St. Louis for Lincoln’s election.

Other B’nai B’rith members among Lincoln’s Jewish connections included Rabbi Isaac Mayer Wise, among a number of clergy who successfully advocated with Lincoln for the appointment of Jewish military chaplains, and Henry Greenebaum, a charter member of Chicago’s Ramah Lodge active in fundraising campaigns for the Union Army.

Kempler's Full Review

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More Reflections From The B'nai B'rith EU Activism Seminar

3/12/2015

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More student participants from last month's EU Activism Seminar have documented their impressions and takeaways from the conference that B'nai B'rith International and B'nai B'rith Europe hosted and co-sponsored.

Read excerpts from their reflections via two postings (here and here) for The College of New Jersey, as well as a Spotify playlist compiled from the seminar participants by the EUJS.

Listen to the Spotify Playlist

I travelled to Brussels, Belgium to attend a seminar at the European Union on activism, lobbying, and key political/social issues in the EU. I was sponsored to go entirely for free to the seminar, which was co-hosted by EUJS (European Union of Jewish Students,) DoJAS (Delegation of Jewish American Students,) and B’nai B’rith International .

[...]

We delved into pressing issues like human rights, terrorism, access to education, and Anti-Semitism. After experiencing such an impressive blend of international culture in Brussels I’m inspired to keep seeking out more diversity both here in Spain and back at TCNJ.

[...]

This made me realize how accessible and real these influential foreign officials can be, given some personal drive and a few connections. In what felt like a matter of minutes I went from TCNJ, to Spain, to Brussels, to speaking in a foreign language with a high-level European government official about an issue I’m passionate about.

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Australia: Local leaders condemn violence Against Jews in Israel

Related reading:

Iran Deal Filibuster is 'Horrible Idea Insulting to American Process'

Video: B'nai B'rith's Mariaschin Moderates Global Anti-Semitism Panel

Throwback Thursday: B'nai B'rith, Abraham Lincoln And The Jews

Lincoln & the Jews: A History

Lincoln & The Jews: The Last Word?

More Reflections From The B'nai B'rith EU Activism Seminar

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