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
    • 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

EU Observer: Belgium's Aalst carnival - no easy fix to anti-semitism

2/25/2020

Comments

 
B'nai B'rith Director of EU Affairs Alina Bricman published an op-ed in The EU Observer on the anti-Semitism on display at Belgium's Aalst Carnival. 
Read at the EU Observer
This weekend (Sunday, 23 February), was the day of the yearly carnival in the Belgian city of Aalst.

For the Jewish community, this day approached with a lot of anxiety. In the 2019 edition, a float depicting exaggerated images of Orthodox Jews, with enlarged hooked noses, bags of money and surrounded by rats caused international outrage, and resulted in the delisting of the Aalst festival from Unesco's intangible heritage list – a first in the international body's history.

​The whole protracted episode left Jewish advocacy and community organisations on one side and officials in Aalst on the other in an antagonist relationship, where regrettably public authorities in Aalst failed to understand the charges brought and to take responsibility accordingly and Jewish organisations were left warning of the dangers of the 2020 edition.

And the 2020 edition came and went: Jews portrayed as insects, people wearing fake ultra-Orthodox costumes, crass comments about circumcision and the Wailing Wall, uniforms resembling Nazi attire labelled Unestapo - a play on the word 'Gestapo', the secret police of the Nazis, and the mayor of Aalst, Christophe D'Haese, of the right-wing New Flemish Alliance, essentially insisting: Nothing wrong here.

And here in lies the problem: more disturbing – I think – than the displays themselves is the clear sense that locals don't understand what the issue is.

Following the backlash over last year's edition, the festival made it a nearly explicit purpose to poke the Jewish community, to exhibit its discontent for any international reactions and to instigate even more vehement responses from the Jewish community which it deemed oversensitive and unwilling to take a joke.

This approach found support among politicians as well: much like D'Haese, minister-president of Flanders Jan Jambon claimed that while people abroad may not understand it, the Aalst festival did not include anti-semitic manifestations.
Rather, it makes fun of everything and everyone.

Grain of salt

​You may want to take that with a grain of salt: Jambon has a history of association with the far-right, be it through support of former Flemish Nazi collaborators, or affinity to members of the forbidden extreme right-wing paramilitary organisation Vlaamse Militanten Orde, and the Vlaams Blok extreme-right political party.

Jewish organisations – as well as many allies, be they public authorities, anti-discrimination bodies or civil society – have started to react and will continue to do so.

From calls for the EU to sanction Belgium to bans on the festival itself, the proposed remedies come in many forms and degrees of severity.

They may be warranted, and in search for a quick fix, they may do the surface trick, but unfortunately there's no easy solution to do away with the underlying problem in Aalst.

Prejudices are deeply-rooted; the lack of knowledge about the Jewish community; the lack of empathy and understanding for the other; the inability to see one's own biases; the missing opportunities for exchange - they have no easy fix. The problem in Aalst requires that we look well beyond Aalst.

As reactions mount in the coming days, I hope that they not only address the immediate need to prevent such displays in the future, but bring solutions to tackle their root causes. In its thoughtful and reserved approach in the past days, the organised Jewish community of Belgium has been a goodwill partner, open to be part of a constructive solution and to work with authorities both local and national to ensure a public space free of hatred and bigotry, where the Jewish community, like all communities, can leave in a welcoming and inclusive society.
​
Hopefully it will have others at the table.
Comments

B'nai B'rith Remembers Anniversary Of 7/7 London Terror Attacks

7/8/2015

Comments

 
This week, we mark the 10 year anniversary of the horrific July 7 London terror attacks. 

In the aftermath of the attacks, read the thoughts of then B'nai B'rith International President Joel Kaplan, which appeared in the Fall 2005 Issue of B'nai B'rith Magazine:

Picture
Comments

Gallery: Rally For Israel At Place Des Nations (Geneva, Switzerland)

7/2/2015

Comments

 
In light of the current wave of unrelenting attacks against Israel's legitimacy, B'nai B'rith International joined B'nai B'rith Europe, local lodges and dozens of other Jewish organization to rally in support of Israel outside of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

B’nai B’rith is highly critical of the report issued by the United Nations Human Rights Council’s (UNHRC) “independent, international commission of inquiry” into Israel’s defensive operations against Hamas in Gaza during the summer of 2014. The report inherently lacks credibility and should not be taken as a serious evaluation of the necessary counterterrorism actions of the Israel Defense Forces. 

B'nai B'rith International's Israel/Middle East policy includes issues such as fighting terrorism; supporting Israel's right to defend itself; preventing Iran's efforts to acquire nuclear weapons; preserving the unity of Jerusalem; promoting the rights of Jewish refugees from Arab and Muslim countries; and supporting direct negotiations between the parties to the Middle East conflict while affirming the importance of Israel's critical security needs.

Photos below courtesy of Israel In Switzerland:
Comments

Media Recap: B'nai B'rith Leaders Meet With Pope Francis At Vatican

6/26/2015

Comments

 
Picture
B'nai B'rith International and multinational leaders met with Pope Francis on Thursday at the Vatican.

B'nai B'rith’s was the first international Jewish audience with the pope since the Vatican announced an agreement on church issues with “the State of Palestine,” and the pope separately acknowledged non-recognition of Israel as amounting to anti-Semitism.

Before he was known around the world at Pope Francis, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio hosted B’nai B’rith’s Kristallnacht commemoration in Buenos Aires in 2012.

Learn more about the latest visit from the international media coverage recap, below:



ZENIT (Pope's Official Remarks):

Dear Friends,

I am pleased to greet you during your visit to the Vatican. My predecessors met with delegations of B’nai B’rith International on several occasions, and today I offer you my welcome with renewed respect and affection.

Your organization has enjoyed relations with the Holy See since the promulgation of the Conciliar Declaration Nostra Aetate. This document constituted a milestone on the path of mutual knowledge and esteem between Jews and Catholics, based on the great spiritual patrimony that, thanks be to God, we share in common.

Looking back on these fifty years of regular dialogue between the Catholic Church and Judaism, I cannot help but thank the Lord for the great progress that has been made. Many initiatives fostering reciprocal understanding and dialogue have been undertaken; above all a sense of mutual trust and appreciation has developed. There are many areas in which we as Jews and Christians can continue to work together for the good of the peoples of our time. Respect for life and creation, human dignity, justice and solidarity unite us for the development of society and for securing a future rich in hope for generations to come. In a particular way, we are called to pray and work together for peace. Unfortunately, there are many countries and regions of the world that live in situations of conflict – I think in particular of the Holy Land and the Middle East – and that require a courageous commitment to peace, which is not only to be longed for, but sought after and built up patiently and tenaciously by everyone, especially believers.

During these moments together, I wish to recall with heartfelt gratitude all those who have fostered friendship between Jews and Catholics. I particularly want to mention Saint John XXIII and Saint John Paul II. Saint John saved many Jews during the Second World War, met with them numerous times, and greatly desired a conciliar document on this theme. Regarding Saint John Paul, his various historical gestures remain very much alive in our memories, such as his visit to Auschwitz and to the Great Synagogue of Rome. With the help of God, I wish to walk in their footsteps, encouraged too by the many beautiful encounters and friendships I enjoyed in Buenos Aires.

May the Almighty and Eternal One bless our dialogue abundantly, especially during this year in which we celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of Nostra Aetate, so that our friendship may always grow deeper and bear abundant fruit for our communities and the entire human family.

Thank you.
ZENIT.org

Vatican Radio:

Speaking to representatives of B'nai B'rith International, a Jewish organization that sponsors cultural programs and promotes religious tolerance and international cooperation, the Pope recalled the landmark Vatican II declaration, Nostra Aetate which laid the groundwork for the Catholic Church’s relations with Jews.  Founded in 1843, B’nai B’rith, which also provides humanitarian aid and community service in needy areas, has a presence in more than 50 countries across the globe.

B’nai B’rith monitors and combats anti-Semitism and other human rights abuses around the world, and together with its World Center in Jerusalem, advocates on behalf of the State of Israel.

As a founding member of IsraAid, the World Center works with many other Israeli relief organizations to provide humanitarian aid and disaster and emergency assistance to those in need.   

B’nai B’rith is also the largest national Jewish sponsor of federally subsidized housing for the elderly in the United States with 42 buildings in 26 communities. Working in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development, B'nai B'rith makes rental apartments available for senior citizens with limited incomes.
Vatican Radio
Reposted On News.VA

Vatican Information Service:

A delegation from B'nai B'rith International (“Children of the Covenant”), a Jewish non-governmental organisation of a philanthropic nature founded in 1843, which opposes anti-Semitism in all its forms and promotes human rights, was received in audience by Pope Francis this morning. 

B'nai B'rith established contacts with the Holy See following the promulgation of the conciliar declaration Nostra Aetate which, as the Holy Father mentioned, “constituted a milestone on the path of mutual knowledge and esteem between Jews and Catholics, based on the great spiritual patrimony that, thanks be to God, we share in common."
Vatican Information Service

Catholic World News:

Pope Francis met on June 25 with a delegation from B’nai B’rith International, and expressed his gratitude to predecessors who had advanced friendly ties between Catholics and Jews.

The Pope mentioned especially St. John XXIII, who “save many Jews during the Second World War” and sought a document from the Second Vatican Council on inter-faith relations. That document, Nostra Aetate, was “a milestone on the path of mutual knowledge and esteem between Jews and Catholics, based on the great spiritual patrimony that, thanks be to God, we share in common,” the Pontiff said.

Next Pope Francis cited the work of St. John Paul II, his dramatic gestures toward Jews, and particularly his visits to the death camp at Auschwitz and the synagogue in Rome.
Catholic World News

ANSA En Vatican:

Vatican City, June 25 - Pope Francis on Thursday said he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors Pope John XXIII and Pope John Paul II in pursuing dialogue between Catholics and Jews.
ANSA En Vatican

Prensa Latina:

Pope Francis highlighted today the need for a brave commitment to peace, faced with the conflicts that are affecting the world, especially the Middle East.

In a meeting with the Jewish organization B'nai B'rith, the Supreme Pontiff considered that the community and Christians should collaborate with the purpose of achieving peace in that area, as well as other purposes.

After mentioning other possible areas of collaboration, he highlighted that respect for life and human dignity, justice and solidarity.

Francis added that peace does not come all of a sudden. Instead, it should be built day by day, with patience, tenacity and the participation of all the people.
Prensa Latina
Comments

El Pais: "Vemos Con Alarma Este Brote Antisemita" (Español)

5/28/2015

Comments

 
Picture

Introducción de Española:

Director for Latin America of B'nai B'rith denounced the alarming rise of anti-Semitism that is occurring in Western countries.

via El Pais :

English Introduction:

B'nai B'rith International Director of Latin American Affairs Eduardo Kohn did an extensive interview with Spanish newspaper El Pais on the alarming rise of anti-Semitism that is occurring in Western countries. 

While only the major occurrences of violence have made headlines, Kohn warns that the smaller, systemic forms of anti-Semitism are causing many Jews in European countries to emigrate to Israel


Read highlights in Spanish, below::

—¿Y qué dijeron los imanes musulmanes invitados a propósito de estos temas?

—Cuando hablaron los imanes, de Francia o Inglaterra, nos encontramos con un miedo diferente, pero no es un miedo menos vergonzoso para lo que es la democracia que debería tener a esta altura mucho más claro cómo defenderse de las agresiones. Los imanes hablan de una religión de paz, pero ellos no tienen mayoría en sus mezquitas, las mayorías los agreden y ellos también tienen miedo. ¿De quién tienen miedo ellos, de los antisemitas? No, de ellos solo tienen miedo los judíos, tienen miedo de su propia gente que los consideran traidores por su prédica, y bueno, la discriminación contra la mujer que predica el antisemitismo. Con lo cual, cualquier elección que haya hoy en Europa, parlamentaria o presidencial, la miramos como muy trascendente como se la miró a la de Inglaterra hace poco y se va a mirar a la de España y ni que hablar a la de Francia, para ver de qué manera los gobiernos son capaces de enfrentar algo que Europa no debería tener después de lo que Europa vivió no solo en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, antes y por muchos años después con los países del este, del comunismo, y años después con los países de la ex Yugoslavia.

—En estas latitudes, ha habido algunos episodios de antisemitismo, incluso en países muy cercanos. En Argentina en torno a hechos trágicos como la muerte del fiscal Alberto Nisman que dio lugar a diversas reacciones antisemitas, ¿cómo se evaluó esto?

—Nos tocó a nosotros, justamente, hacer la presentación de América Latina sobre una visión general para después ir país por país, y evidentemente no es lo mismo que nosotros podíamos exponer hace diez años. En este momento, lo que ha sucedido en los últimos meses en Argentina prende las alarmas en muchos sentidos. Que un gobierno democrático, como el gobierno argentino, diga por parte de algunos de sus voceros en forma pública y acuse a la comunidad judía o a autoridades de sus instituciones de conspirar contra el Estado argentino es un lenguaje que, evidentemente, si siempre fue peligroso y fue preludio de cosas trágicas, hoy es muy peligroso especialmente cuando estamos hablando de un país que sufrió dos atentados y que nunca pudo poner a los culpables, porque saber quiénes son se sabe pero nunca se pudo llevar a los culpables ante la justicia. Dos atentados, además de muchísimos muertos, el de la AMIA fue además de muchísimos muertos en relación con los atentados gravísimos en el resto del mundo y en un momento en que además de shock porque el fiscal que lleva la causa aparece muerto. Y además se genera una situación conflictiva pública donde aparece el antisemitismo, porque la causa que seguía el fiscal ha ido cayendo en una escalera donde se archivan cosas, donde se cambian veredictos, ya hay un dictamen de que fue suicidio.

—A diferencia de Europa los integrantes de las comunidades no han tenido que migrar hacia Israel para buscar refugio, ¿esa es la diferencia actual de América Latina?

—No se ha llegado a tonos de violencia, es cierto. Lo que sí es alarmante en Latinoamérica es que no todos los gobiernos actúan de la misma manera frente al antisemitismo y eso es muy grave porque deja desprotegida no solo a la comunidad judía sino a toda la sociedad. Cuando en Chile mataron hace dos años a una persona por ser homosexual y la sociedad salió a la calle y el Congreso se dio cuenta de que tenían que hacer una legislación antidiscriminatoria, eso habla de una reacción positiva. Pero cuando se dice que la comunidad judía es "conspiradora", bueno, nos acordamos de los Protocolos de los Sabios de Sión y de lo que pasó después.
Leer Más El Pais
Comments

B'nai B'rith Dismayed EU Conference Diluting Focus On Anti-Semitism

4/6/2015

Comments

 
Picture
The European Union started Passover on a sour note, announcing that the much-anticipated upcoming conference on combating rising anti-Semitism in Europe will not share equal billing with Islamophobia.

While B'nai B'rith International has been an outspoken global advocate of diversity and worked to combat prejudice and discrimination of all kinds, the concern is that adding other issues to the discussion of anti-Semitism allows government officials to avoid real action.

B'nai B'rith International Director of Legislative Affairs Eric Fusfield spoke on behalf of the organization to the Jerusalem Post, highlights of which can be found below:


Jewish organizations worldwide expressed shock and dismay over the weekend following the announcement that the EU’s Fundamental Rights Agency is planning on holding a conference that implies an equivalence between anti-Semitism and Islamophobia.

[...]

It will focus on the rise of anti-Jewish sentiment and violence across the continent and the “growing evidence in many European countries, especially in the past two years, of very high rates of anti-Muslim incidents, including acts of verbal and physical violence,” according to the organizers.

Jewish community leaders in Europe and elsewhere told The Jerusalem Post that despite being largely supportive of the FRA’s work, they believed it inappropriate for it to juxtapose hate directed against Muslims with anti-Semitism as if both were one and the same.

“The challenge of combating anti-Semitism would be better served by a stand-alone colloquium fully focused on the problem,” said Eric Fusfield, the legislative affairs director of the B’nai B’rith International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy.

“Opponents of anti-Semitism have tried for years to promote greater understanding of anti-Semitism as a distinct phenomenon with unique dimensions sometimes requiring unique solutions,” he said.

“It is true that some strategies for combating anti-Semitism may apply to other forms of intolerance as well, but the fact is that, for too long, the tendency of governments and international organizations to conflate anti-Semitism with other social illnesses has served as a means of avoiding the problem rather than addressing it head on, even as the crisis facing Jewish communities has intensified in Europe and elsewhere,” he added.

Jerusalem Post
Comments

Photos: Behind The Scenes At B'nai B'rith U.N. Advocacy In Geneva

3/19/2015

Comments

 
Each spring, leadership and volunteers from B'nai B'rith International and B'nai B'rith Europe hold a week of meetings with members of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Follow Us On Instagram:

Instagram
This year, some two-dozen B’nai B’rith International leaders and supporters, including with three representatives from the national Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), met with senior representatives from more than 40 countries. B'nai B'rith is proud to partner with AEPi through community service, educational programming and advocacy. We work together to encourage brothers to remain involved in the Jewish community after college graduation.

AEPi's David Marias, Civic Engagement Coordinator, recorded highlights of his advocacy experience on Instagram. 

Enjoy a slideshow of his images, below:
Comments

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

3/12/2015

Comments

 
Picture
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.

Read More
Comments

EJP: B'nai B'rith Presents To European Parliament On Anti-Semitism

3/4/2015

Comments

 
Picture
B'nai B'rith France was a key contributor to the first-of-its-kind European Parliament discussion on anti-Semitism, presenting to the delegation for relations with Israel.

The delegation is headed by Italian MEP Fulvio Martusciello, who made his first visit to Israel as a guest of B'nai B'rith International last October.


The delegation discussed the disturbing rise in violence and rhetoric against European Jewish communities since Operation Protective Edge brought defensive conflict to Israel in the summer of 2014.

Read excerpts from an article written in the European Jewish Press, below:


[...]

Other speakers included Stéphane Teicher, Vice- President of B’nai B’rith France and Jane Braden-Golay, President of the European Union of Jewish Students.

"The fact that anti-Semitism becomes ordinary to the eyes of the civil society is a matter of concern," said Teicher, who noted the indifference of the population. "There was no mass reaction in France following grave anti-Semitic developments of protests in Paris during last summer Israeli Operation Protective Edge against Hamas in Gaza."

But he sees also matters of hope, citing the "very strong commitment of the French government not to tolerate anti-Semitism and its actions," the fact that the January attacks in Paris against a kosher supermarket and in Copenhagen against a synagogue "clearly showed the clear link between radical Islamism and anti-Semitism."

"Muslim leaders understand that the French Muslim community is under threat too," Teicher added
Read Full Article
Comments

Coming Together: DoJAS Reflections From The EU Activism Seminar

2/27/2015

Comments

 
The EU Activism Seminar continues to generate attention, as Alex Jakubowski, Executive Director of the Delegation of Jewish American Students (DOJAS), shared his thoughts on the week-long conference.

DOJAS was one of the co-hosting organizations of the seminar, joining B'nai B'rith International, B'nai B'rith Europe and the European Union of Jewish Students in Brussels. Ten of the 20 college students that participated traveled from North America to meet with a cross-section of European Union policymakers. 

Read more about Jakubowski's reflections courtesy of e-Jewish Philanthropy and DOJAS' official press release
:
Picture
Photo via EUJS

e-Jewish Philanthropy:

For many students, their time abroad is the most transformational of their lives – filled with new experiences and cultural immersion opportunities impossible to realize in the United States. 

[...]

The students met with renowned experts, heard from critical decision-makers, and lobbied members of the European Parliament and European Commission on ways to address the rising tide of anti-Semitism in Europe.

[...]

By the end of the seminar, students came away inspired – not only toward greater involvement in their own communities, but the global Jewish community as well. 

It is our duty, as Jews living in uniquely philo-Semitic countries, to actively support our family wherever they are – not urge them to simply pick up and move.
Full Article
Also In: Jewish Journal

DOJAS Press Release:

Among the many influential and high-level officials with whom students met were Director of the Lombardy Regional Representation to the EU, Gianlorenzo Martini, Member of European Parliament and Chair of the EU Working Group on Anti-Semitism Juan Fernando López Aguilar, Member of the European Parliament Csaba Sogor, The European Commision’s Coordinator for Dialogue with Churches, Religions, Philosophical, and non-Confessional Organizations Katherina von Schnurbein, as well as staff members for various other MEP’s, Commissioners, NGO’s, and lobbyists.

[...]
 
As students arrive in their host countries for their semester abroad, the seminar’s American participants are looking forward to their new role as leaders in their communities. 

“I learned much more than I could have imagined, and I have already begun to share my learnings with friends and family, both within the EU and all over the world,” said Jeremy Levin, who has returned to his host community in Madrid.
Full Statement
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
    • 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