B'nai B'rith Israel Advocacy
AboutThe first B’nai B’rith lodge in Israel was established in 1888. Now there are approximately 70 lodges, organized into regional councils. Each lodge plans its own activities, some include: helping schools, kindergartens, hospitals' clubs for the blind, and recent immigrants; delivering food and clothes to needy people; providing housing for soldiers who have completed military service and wish to attend college; organizing Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrations for boys and girls from deprived families; and assisting special scholarship programs and institutes for special education. Some lodges have kitchens that daily serve hundreds of meals to the needy.
The B'nai B'rith World Center – Jerusalem
The B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem is the hub of B'nai B'rith International activities in Israel. The Center serves as the key link between Israel and B'nai B'rith members and supporters around the world.
Through educational programs and well-established relationships with political leaders of all parties, the diplomatic corps, and leading academic institutions, the World Center works to strengthen Israel-Diaspora relations and interprets developments concerning the Jewish state for our members and supporters around the world. The establishment of the World Center was B'nai B'rith's answer to United Nations Security Council Resolution 478 that in August 1980 called on all member states to remove their diplomatic missions from Jerusalem. Established that same summer, the World Center is an ongoing expression of B'nai B'rith's active commitment to the State of Israel. In advancing its mission, the World Center:
WATCH B'nai B'rith World Center-Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider Give a Tour of the B'nai B'rith Library in Jerusalem: |
Contact Us
Watch These Videos From Our World Center:Ron Dermer, ambassador of Israel to the United States, presented the keynote address at the 2016 B’nai B’rith World Center Award for Journalism Recognizing Excellence in Diaspora Reportage in Jerusalem. In his speech, Dermer spoke about the vital link between Israel and the United States.
Watch as we look back on the founding of the World Center-Jerusalem and we celebrate all that the center has been able to accomplish.
Take a look at the work the World Center has done and vision it has for the future, as well as a special message from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
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Honoring Samuel (Sally) BeinTogether, we honor Sally (Samuel) Bein, outstanding educator and founding principal of the first boarding school for Jewish children with special needs in Germany.
The institution was established in October 1908 near the town of Beelitz - Brandenburg by the German Israelite community and the German District of the Order of B'nai B'rith. It was led by Bein and his wife Rebeka until June 1942 when Sally, Rebeka, their young daughter Lisa Karola were deported to Sobibor. The Bein family and all 47 pupils and staff were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. In commemoration of the 78th anniversary of their deportation, B'nai B'rith World Center-Jerusalem and the Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) unveiled a plaque in the B'nai B'rith Martyrs Forest on June 17, 2020. The plaque reads: "In recognition of the exceptional commitment of SAMUEL (SALLY) BEIN Outstanding educator and founding principal of the first boarding school for Jewish children with special needs in Germany, established in Beelitz-Brandenburg in 1908 by the German-Israelite community and the German District of the Order of B'nai B'rith. And in memory of his wife Rebeka, their young daughter Lisa Karola and 47 pupils, and staff who were murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators. Unveiled to mark 78 years since their deportation to Sobibor on Shabbat 28 Sivan 5702 Saturday 13 June 1942." A SPECIAL THANK YOU
We are especially grateful to Ronny Dotan and Tatjana Ruge for bringing Sally Bein's memory back to life and sharing his story with the world. Like those of so many others who perished in the Holocaust, Bein's story must be cherished and remembered forever. Read more about Dotan and Ruge's research and effort to piece together Bein's story by clicking the "The Search for Sally Bein" button below. |
Design of the plaque honoring Samuel (Sally) Bein in the Martyrs Forest unveiled by B'nai B'rith World Center-Jerusalem.
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You can also Learn more about Sally Bein and his exceptional commitment to Jewish children with special needs and the greater Jewish community from these resources:
The Special Needs Educator Who was Murdered by the Nazis – Read in English • Read in Hebrew
B'nai B'rith Frankfurt Schönstädt Loge (in German first, then in English)
Sally Bein's German-language Wikipedia page
The Special Needs Educator Who was Murdered by the Nazis – Read in English • Read in Hebrew
B'nai B'rith Frankfurt Schönstädt Loge (in German first, then in English)
Sally Bein's German-language Wikipedia page
Our Connection to Events and Leaders in IsraelOur World Center in Jerusalem keeps us well connected to events and leaders in Israel. The World Center has contacts from the top echelons of the Knesset—essential for this work.
In fact, the World Center was instrumental in arranging missions to Israel for U.N. diplomats and members of European Parliament. The World Center also played a vital role in organizing meetings for the Israeli leg of the Jewish and American-Hellenic delegation's tri-state trip. Scroll down to read about the World Center's important programs... |
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The 26th Annual B'nai B'rith World Center Award For Journalism For 2018: Recognizing Excellence In Diaspora Reportage
Video of 2018 Awards Ceremony
Past Events: New Realities in the Eastern Mediterranean -- December 11, 2018
World Center Draws Coverage with Presentation of Jewish Rescuers Citation on Yom Hashoah
There are some Jewish organizations which do honor Jewish rescuers. Since 2011, the B’nai B’rith World Center and the Committee to Recognize the Heroism of Jews who Rescued Fellow Jews During the Holocaust (JRJ) has conferred a joint “Jewish Rescuer’s Citation.” Paldiel and several other survivors sit on the JRJ committee, alongside rescuers and children of survivors and rescuers. |
The B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael (KKL-JNF) held today, for the 15th consecutive year, a unique joint Holocaust commemoration ceremony on Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah).
This is the only event dedicated annually to commemorating the heroism of Jews who rescued fellow Jews during the Holocaust. About 300 border patrol cadets—who provided an honor guard—and 300 students participated in the ceremony together with Jewish rescuers and survivors. The ceremony took place at the B’nai B’rith Martyr’s Forest “Scroll of Fire” Plaza. This year, the ceremony was dedicated to the rescue efforts of Walter Suskind and the Jewish caregivers at the crèche (day care center) in Amsterdam. |
Complete List of Jewish RescuersPerhaps one of the least told stories of the Holocaust is the story of Jews who rescued fellow Jews. Jewish rescuers put their own lives in jeopardy to help other Jews escape the Nazi killing machine.
The B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem and the Committee to Recognize the Heroism of Jewish Rescuers During the Holocaust (JRJ) created the Jewish Rescuer Citation in 2011 to pay honor and respect to Jewish rescue of other Jews. B’nai B’rith had been involved in promoting the recognition of Jewish rescuers in other ways long before the citation’s creation. B’nai B’rith and JRJ have recognized some 175 rescuers who operated in France, Hungary, Greece, Germany, Slovakia, Yugoslavia, Russia, Poland, the Netherlands and Lithuania. |
Watch the 2021 Jewish Rescuers Citation CeremonyIn commemoration of International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27, 2021), the B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem and JNJ presented their joint Jewish Rescuers Citation in honor of 18 Jewish heroes who rescued other Jews during the Holocaust. Moderated by World Center Director Alan Schneider. Learn more about the recipients and watch the ceremony below.
In July 2017 B'nai B'rith International held a ceremony in our New York City offices recognizing Jewish rescuers and their families. You can watch the complete program here.
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Watch the 2021 B'nai B'rith Yom HaShoah Ceremony From Jerusalem
B'nai B'rith World Center-Jerusalem and Keren Kayemeth LeIsrael - Jewish National Fund (KKL-JNF) host the 20th annual ceremony commemorating the heroism of Jewish rescuers during the Holocaust on Holocaust Martyrs' and Heroes' Remembrance Day, April 8, 2021 at Scroll of Fire monument. The Jewish Rescuers Citation was conferred at the ceremony on 13 heroes from across Europe and North America.
Learn more about the event and download the flyer here.
Learn more about the event and download the flyer here.
Assisting Israelis Who Are Victims of Terror
The Edith “Pat” Wolfson Endowment was created in 2005 to provide financial assistance to children in Israel who have lost at least one of their parents in a terror attack. Since the program’s inception, World Center Director Alan Schneider has made it a priority to carefully consider, with lay input, who the recipient will be each year and personally deliver the check to the child’s guardian.
Recently, Schneider delivered a check to the wife and daughter of St. Sgt. Tuvia Yanai Weissman, who was murdered in February in a grocery store by Palestinian terrorists.
Recently, Schneider delivered a check to the wife and daughter of St. Sgt. Tuvia Yanai Weissman, who was murdered in February in a grocery store by Palestinian terrorists.
Below, Schneider describes his most recent experience:
Nearly all of the 10 presentations have been made to victims of Palestinian terrorism, and not one of the encounters, usually in their living rooms, was an easy experience. The process begins with a cautious telephone call to broach our intention to make the grant (at least one guardian refused our largess) and set a meeting to hand over the grant check. I made the latest, particularly heartbreaking presentation, last week just before the Passover holiday to Yael Weissman for the benefit of her 7-month old daughter, Neta. Their husband and father, Staff Sgt. Tuvia Yanai Weissman (21), was murdered on Thursday, Feb. 18, while trying to protect them and other shoppers from two 14-year old, knife-wielding Palestinian terrorists at the Rami Levy supermarket at Sha’ar Binyamin. |
Staff Sgt. Tuvia Yanai Weissman |
World Center Award for Journalism Recognizing Excellence in Diaspora Reportage
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Since its establishment in 1992, the B’nai B’rith World Center Award for Journalism Recognizing Excellence in Diaspora Reportage in memory of Wolf and Hilda Matsdorf has recognized excellence in reporting on contemporary Diaspora-Jewish communities and on the State of Israel-Diaspora relations in Israeli print and electronic media.
The award is widely recognized as a prestigious prize in the Israeli media industry and was established to help strengthen the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora. It was established to highlight the important contributions the media can make toward strengthening the relationship between Israel and world Jewry—so essential for the resilience of both—by encouraging quality reporting on Diaspora communities and Israel-Diaspora relations. The winners of the 2016 winners were Amanda Borschel-Dan, the Times of Israel’s Jewish World editor and Allison Kaplan Sommer, staff writer at Ha’aretz. Both journalists submitted an impressive array of articles on Diaspora communities published during 2015. Additionally, a Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of Luis and Trudi Schydlowsky was awarded to senior Israel Broadcasting Authority journalist Ya’akov Ahimeir, editor and presenter of the Saturday night foreign news and culture magazine show "Ro'im Olam" (Seeing the World), on Channel 1 Television. Ahimeir also appears on the Voice of Israel’s daily radio news program “HaBoker HaZeh” (This Morning). In the course of the event a special citation for fostering Israel-Diaspora relations through the arts was conferred upon Idan Raichel. Ron Dermer, ambassador of Israel to the United States, presented the keynote address at the B’nai B’rith World Center Award for Journalism Recognizing Excellence in Diaspora Reportage in Jerusalem. In his speech, Dermer spoke about the vital link between Israel and the United States. |
We are now accepting applicants for the 2018 edition of the Diaspora Reportage award!
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Israel and the Middle East
Defending Israel on the World Stage
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In March, a B’nai B’rith International sent its annual leadership delegation to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, where top staff and volunteer leaders advocated on important human rights issues and challenged the body’s relentless bias against Israel.
The delegation then continued on to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Paris, where the group advocated on important historic and cultural issues and challenged the body’s growing exploitation as a political tool against Israel. More than 25 B’nai B’rith leaders and supporters, including four student representatives from the national Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), met with senior diplomats at the UNHRC from some 40 countries, including the United States, Brazil, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Japan, Russia and the United Kingdom. At UNESCO, they met directly with UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova, as well as senior diplomats from some two-dozen countries. B’nai B’rith International President Gary P. Saltzman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin led the delegation. |
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B'nai B'rith International Leads Delegates from United Nations, European Union on Missions to Israel
This year, B'nai B'rith International and the B'nai B'rith World Center facilitated back-to-back visits to Israel for diplomats from around the globe posted at key agencies of the United Nations, and several members of the European Parliament. B'nai B'rith leads educational trips of this kind, and they can only be carried out with your support. This particular diplomatic delegation to Israel was made possible by the generous support of the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust.
The trip's goal was to promote the Jewish State as an influential leader in education, technology, agriculture and medicine. It also allowed participants to immerse themselves in Israel’s culture by touring the Old City of Jerusalem and visiting Yad Vashem.
The missions included meetings with key officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the diplomats discussed European Union-Israel relations and the labeling of products made in the West Bank and Golan Heights.
Additionally, the visits were crucial in shining a light on the widespread inattention to a growing wave of terrorism targeting Israelis, and provided the diplomats with direct exposure to Israel’s extraordinary security challenges, diverse democracy and global humanitarianism.
The trip's goal was to promote the Jewish State as an influential leader in education, technology, agriculture and medicine. It also allowed participants to immerse themselves in Israel’s culture by touring the Old City of Jerusalem and visiting Yad Vashem.
The missions included meetings with key officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where the diplomats discussed European Union-Israel relations and the labeling of products made in the West Bank and Golan Heights.
Additionally, the visits were crucial in shining a light on the widespread inattention to a growing wave of terrorism targeting Israelis, and provided the diplomats with direct exposure to Israel’s extraordinary security challenges, diverse democracy and global humanitarianism.
Watch:B'nai B'rith International Deputy Director of the International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy Eric Fusfield discusses a recent trip to Israel with Members of European Parliament and U.N. diplomats.
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B’nai B’rith Brings Delegation of Key United Nations Diplomats to IsraelB’nai B’rith Leads Members of the European Parliament on a Mission to Israel |
Coverage: JBS News Update – 2/23/16JBS News Update covered the B'nai B'rith International trip to Israel with several members of the European Parliament.
In the news report, JBS quoted President Gary P. Saltzman on the importance of the visit, saying: “This mission provided an informative and vital experience that permitted members of the European Parliament to recognize that Israel is a dynamic and diverse country with a thriving economy.” |
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B'nai B'rith International Plays Key Role in Burgeoning Ties Between Israel, Greece and Cyprus
Israel lives in a tough neighborhood. As the only Jewish State and the only democracy in Middle East, friendly faces around the block can be hard to come by. As a staunch supporter and advocate for Israel, B'nai B'rith International recently played a prominent role in promoting ties between the State of Israel, Greece and Cyprus.
In January, B'nai B'rith and Conference of Presidents leaders, together with leaders of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and American Hellenic Institute (AHI), went on an important visit to Israel, Greece and Cyprus. The purpose of the trip was to evaluate the critical and developing relationship between these three countries on security, energy, economics and political areas.
In January, B'nai B'rith and Conference of Presidents leaders, together with leaders of the American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA) and American Hellenic Institute (AHI), went on an important visit to Israel, Greece and Cyprus. The purpose of the trip was to evaluate the critical and developing relationship between these three countries on security, energy, economics and political areas.
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Expert AnalysisB'nai B'rith International World Center – Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider provides an excellent summary of the diplomatic events that have Israel, Greece and Cyprus forming a strong regional partnership.
Schneider also recaps the recent "Strategic Challenges In The Eastern Mediterranean" conference with high-level government officials from all three countries speaking and participating in discussion on the region. |
After the Visit, the Countries' Leaders Meet in a Historic Trilateral Summit
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Following the delegation's visit to Israel, Cyprus and Greece, a trilateral summit kicked off in Cyprus as leaders of the Jewish State met with their Greek and Cypriot counter parts to discuss strengthening ties in the security, energy, economic and political arenas.
This is a prime example of one of the many ways B'nai B'rith International utilizes its diplomatic connections and experience to advocate for Israel, both regionally and worldwide. |
Christian Science Monitor Coverage
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Israel Emergency Fund
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In November 2016 B’nai B’rith International opened its Israel Emergency Fund to provide aid to the victims of the devastating fires raging in Israel. The fires spread throughout northern Israel, and especially in and around Haifa. Other fires also reached cities near Jerusalem. Tens of thousands of people were forced to evacuate, and many of them have lost their homes and businesses.
The B’nai B’rith World Center in Jerusalem used its vast contacts and resources to identify a relief project that will soon be announced. B’nai B’rith also launched its Israel Emergency Fund in response to events in Israel and the Gaza Strip in July 2014. Its goal is to raise funds to assist Israeli residents who are dealing with a barrage of rocket attacks from Hamas. Funds could also be used to help with the personal needs of Israel Defense Forces soldiers. SpotlightSderot, Israel, has a unique place on the front lines when the Hamas terror machine gears up. Located just one mile outside Gaza, Sderot is in the direct line of fire for Hamas rockets.
With just seconds of warning to flee to a safe shelter in the face of a Hamas rocket launch, the scars of those in this community will remain for a long time. A six-member solidarity mission from B'nai B'rith Europe visited the town during the height of the conflict, learning firsthand about the realities faced by Israelis in the most heavily shelled areas and conveying from the organization a message of unity with the people of Israel. |
GalleryPhotos from the six-member B'nai B'rith Europe solidarity mission to Israel, where they were briefed by government officials on the conflict with Hamas and visited heavily shelled areas.
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Past Projects Of The Israel Emergency Fund
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In the fall of 2012, Hamas turned Gaza into a launch pad for an incessant rocket assault on Israel. As Israelis sought shelter, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Pillar of Defense. B’nai B’rith raised funds to assist Israeli citizens forced to seeks safety in shelters.
On December 2, 2010, the Mount Carmel wildfires destroyed more than 10,000 acres of forest land, killed 41 people, and damaged 250 homes. Within days the B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund opened and raised more than $100,000 in just a few weeks. (Read the B'nai B'rith Magazine story.) These funds helped buy satellite phones (including a two-year operation package) to distribute to the commanders of 10 regional civilian search and rescue teams. Additional funds were used to build the B’nai B’rith Fire Scouts Clubhouse at the Central Haifa Fire Station, dedicated to the memory of Elad Riven, a 16-year-old fire scout who was killed while fighting the fire (Read the magazine article here). One year after the fires were put out, in December 2011, nearly 50 Druze counselors and members of Bedouin Youth Groups from Northern Israel participated in the first-ever leadership seminar on forest safety and fire prevention. In summer 2006, the B’nai B’rith Israel Emergency Fund aided Israeli victims, evacuees, and soldiers fighting the Hezbollah bombings. The fund sent air conditioners, computers, indoor gym and play equipment, and other items to families and children in northern Israel who had been forced into ill-equipped emergency shelters. Israeli soldiers also received books and letters of support from B'nai B'rith as part of the Sifrut (literature) for Soldiers Project. |
Watch:Nearly 11 months after the Great Carmel Fire in northern Israel, B'nai B'rith and the Haifa Fire Department inaugurated the B'nai B'rith Fire Scouts Clubhouse at the central Haifa Fire Station. The clubhouse includes space for meetings, training and recreation. B'nai B'rith Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin spoke at the event.
Contact UsFor more information, please call 212-490-3290 or email: cca@bnaibrith.org.
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Fighting BDS
It seems every week there's a new skirmish between the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement and those who support the State of Israel. Wherever the battle is playing out, B'nai B'rith International is always swift to condemn the latest push to delegitimize the Jewish State. The global BDS campaign does nothing to advance peace and calls the movement’s real objectives into question.
As a strong advocate for the peace process and direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, B'nai B'rith International's actions against the BDS movement cannot be understated. Anti-Israel measures taken by the movement only reward the Palestinians for their refusal to engage in constructive dialogue with Israel and puts off the possibility of resolution on this issue.
B'nai B'rith is also quick to recognize those who have joined the fight against the BDS movement, publicly lauding states, schools and associations that have put down any attempts to isolate Israel.
As a strong advocate for the peace process and direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians, B'nai B'rith International's actions against the BDS movement cannot be understated. Anti-Israel measures taken by the movement only reward the Palestinians for their refusal to engage in constructive dialogue with Israel and puts off the possibility of resolution on this issue.
B'nai B'rith is also quick to recognize those who have joined the fight against the BDS movement, publicly lauding states, schools and associations that have put down any attempts to isolate Israel.
B'nai B'rith Backs Texas Anti-BDS BillB’nai B’rith International was a strong supporter of an anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement measure in the Texas legislature.
The bill ended up passing both chambers of the legislature by wide margins (including unanimously in the House of Representatives) and is expected to become law. Charles Kaufman, chair of the B'nai B'rith International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy, gave his testimony to the Texas House of Representatives on why he believed the bill should be passed. Watch the video of his testimony. |
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B'nai B'rith's History In Israel
The Unbroken Covenant
This booklet tells the remarkable and little-known story of B'nai B'rith in Eretz Yisrael from its beginnings in the last decade of the 19th century until the period following the founding of the state. It is a story of dogged determination to form a community of activists who would drive a movement toward Jewish revival in the Land of Israel, supported by B'nai B'rith members in other countries. View the booklet below (PDF documents):
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