B'nai B'rith International presents a donation to World Central Kitchen. This year, the Center for Senior Services held their annual Managers and Service Coordinator Training in Puerto Rico. Participants volunteered for a day of service at one of World Central Kitchen's partner farms, Siembra Tres Vidas, located in Aibonita, Puerto Rico. Managers and service coordinators mulched, planted eggplants and helped fertilize the land in a four-hour volunteer shift, ultimately saving two to three days of labor for the farmers. 

(Washington, D.C., August 22, 2019)--On Aug. 22, the B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil new renovations at the Adelstein Family B’nai B’rith H.O.P.E. Project in the Bronx, New York. Among other important modernizations, every affordable housing unit will now have its own air conditioner. Rebecca Koepnick, chief strategy officer for portfolio preservation, New York State Homes and Community Renewal; Daniel S. Mariaschin, CEO, B’nai B’rith International; William Connolly, managing partner, Connolly and Partners, LLC; Marty Adelstein, president, Project HOPE Development Corporation; and Shirley Fearon, staff assistant, Office of Rep. Eliot Engel (D-N.Y.) spoke at the ceremony.
 
“In today’s economic climate, the ability to preserve and rehabilitate safe, supportive housing for lower income seniors is paramount in providing for the next generation of residents,” said Mark Olshan, B’nai B’rith International director of the Center for Senior Services. “B’nai B’rith is pleased to have been involved in the transformation of the Adelstein Family B’nai B’rith Apartments in keeping with our longstanding tradition of ‘honoring thy mother and father’!”
 
Constructed in 1992, the Adelstein Family B’nai B’rith H.O.P.E. Project was initially funded under the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program. It consists of 75 one-bedroom apartments and 25 studio apartments. Individual apartments include new bathrooms with new toilets and bathtubs: new kitchen cabinets, counters and appliances; and all-new lighting and painting throughout. Exterior and common area improvements include new masonry, exterior doors, elevator cabs, windows, plumbing stacks, boilers and pumps. Additionally, state-of-the-art smoke detectors and sprinklers were added, along with upgrades to the building’s electrical system and security cameras. 
 
Additionally, financial resources are now available to provide for a host of specific supportive and social services for the individual residents. Through partnerships with local service provider organizations, for the first time, residents will have access to referrals to community resources, supportive listening and casework services, as well as a host of new classes, workshops events and activities.
 
Funding for the project came from the sale of tax-exempt bonds issued by the New York State House Finance Agency through the sale of Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).  This bipartisan program, initiated in 1986, is overseen by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and is one of the few programs currently available to provide funds for the construction and preservation of supportive housing for low-income people.
 
At the ceremony, Mariaschin emphasized B’nai B’rith’s commitment to affordable housing for seniors: “We’re proud that B’nai B’rith’s decades-long tradition of providing safe and affordable housing for seniors continues in the Bronx. Our commitment to ensuring a dignified life for each and every resident, over nearly 50 years, stands behind every one of our projects.”

“We are pleased to renovate this fabulous Bronx development,” said B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman. “In doing so, B’nai B’rith and our partners take great pride in moving the earth once again for affordable and dignified senior living. In a borough known for home runs and championships, Project Hope no doubt will be a grand slam for generations.”

Marvin Siflinger, chair of the B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services, said that “the redevelopment of Project Hope is an excellent example of a true public/private/non-profit partnership all working together to enhance the quality of life of our cherished senior citizens.  With our partners, B’nai B’rith expects to continue to improve the lives of many more lower income seniors.”
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Marty Adelstein delivered this statement on behalf of Sherry and Alan Adelstein: "The Adelstein Family is honored and takes great pride in the redevelopment of the Project Hope-Adelstein Family Building in the Bronx. Over 40 years ago our father, Bernie Adelstein, was the founder and pioneer of this wonderful example of perseverance through government bureaucracy to ultimately realize his commitment to establish affordable housing for senior citizens.  On behalf of the Adelstein Family, we are grateful to our partners, B'nai B'rith and Connolly and Partners, LLC for their support and commitment to provide and improve quality affordable housing to the Senior Citizens at the Bronx Building." 
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org

(Washington, D.C., August 19, 2019)--When progressive Zionists found themselves shut out of many conversations on the left, Amanda Berman took action. She’s the founder and executive director of the Zioness Movement, which calls itself “progressive, Zionist, and proud,” standing as Jews, for social justice and fighting oppression.  
 
Berman joined B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin on the B’nai B’rith Podcast to talk about the coalition she has built for Zionists who hold progressive values and ideals to have a seat at a united table fighting for the rights of oppressed minority groups.
 
“The American Jewish community is overwhelmingly committed to the political left, to the advancement of social justice and to progress for all of the different issues that we care about - and we are also Zionists,” says Berman.
 
As a civil rights attorney, she has fought anti-Semitism through the courts, challenging businesses and universities in the face of anti-Semitic policies.
 
Berman and Mariaschin discuss the work of Zioness at a time when the political environment is becoming increasingly hostile to the Jewish state. According to Berman, “There is a weaponization of anti-Semitism and of support for Israel that is becoming a major political force in terms of this litmus test…where progressive credibility is often connected to one’s willingness to bash Israel.”
 
Click here for Episode 54 of the B’nai B’rith Podcast.
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
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REP. CHRISSY HOULAHAN VISITS B’NAI B’RITH SENIOR HOUSING IN PENNSYLVANIA
 
(Washington, D.C., August 16, 2019)--Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.) toured B’nai B’rith House in Reading, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 15. She took a tour of the property that included two sample apartments, the library, the party room, the community room and sun room.
 
After taking a tour of the property, the congresswoman spoke to residents about how her office could address constituent services relating to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, she addressed policy updates relating to Social Security, Medicare and affordable housing. About 22 residents heard the congresswoman speak.
 
“Everyone should be able to live a life of dignity in our community,” said Houlahan. “I’m grateful for the work B’nai B’rith International is doing to provide senior citizens in Reading with affordable housing and their advocacy on issues concerning seniors and their families, diversity education, and helping communities in crisis.”
 
B’nai B’rith’s long history with affordable senior housing started in 1971, when we formed a partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to sponsor housing for low-income seniors. The B’nai B’rith Senior Housing Network in the United States comprises 38 buildings and serves some 5,000 people. B’nai B’rith International is the largest national Jewish sponsor of non-sectarian low-income housing for seniors.

Too often, Congress and the White House are debating policies that will inevitably cut important funding from federal programs that impact the lives of older Americans. Congressional visits like this allow B’nai B’rith housing residents the opportunity to be their own best advocates by speaking directly with their representative and making these lawmakers aware of the human faces and stories behind federal programs that benefit seniors.
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
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(Washington, D.C., August 15, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
Israel has a policy that does allow the barring of Boycott, Divestment and Sanction (BDS) supporters from entering the country. The visit of U.S. Congresswomen Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib, both supporters of this movement, raised, for Israel, legitimate security and legal concerns with their so-called “Delegation to Palestine.”
 
Countries facing acute security threats often must balance those hazards against democratic imperatives.  Israel’s lawmakers have determined that its security needs warrant barring those who back boycotts of the country and who call for the end of Israel’s existence as a Jewish state. As a vibrant democracy, Israel has so much to proudly showcase. But its basic right to existence, equality and safety warrant respect by all, not least by those who visit.
 
Countries, especially an acutely threatened one like Israel, may and must sometimes grapple with tension between openness and wellbeing. This is one such example.
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
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(Washington, D.C., August 14, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  ​

We strongly support the California State Board of Education’s decision not to move forward with the implementation of a radical anti-Israel high school curriculum, the Ethnic Studies Model Curriculum (ESMC). The ESMC was developed in part by pro-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) activists. It demonizes the Jewish State, promotes anti-Semitic stereotypes and fosters an unsafe environment for Jewish and Israeli students.

After the announcement of the new curriculum, B’nai B’rith joined more than 80 anti-discrimination and pro-Israel organizations in a letter to the California Department of Education denouncing the curriculum and urging that the ESMC be drastically revised or re-written entirely.

B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org

(Washington, D.C., August 5, 2019)--Israeli actor Sasson Gabay addresses difficult cultural themes in some of his work, but he is surprisingly optimistic about human nature. “If you take off all the nationalities and all the conflicts and all the politics, you find human beings who more or less have the same needs,” he says.

Gabay joined B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin on the B’nai B’rith Podcast to talk about his extraordinary life and career. Born in Baghdad in 1947, he emigrated to Israel with his family and became one of the most well-renowned actors in the country. His career has spanned theater productions, movies and television shows (including the wildly successful Netflix show Shtisel, about a haredi family living in Jerusalem).

Gabay is in the United States to perform in the musical The Band’s Visit, which centers around an Egyptian orchestra that becomes lost when touring in Israel. The show’s touring cast will travel around the country for the next year.
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Listen to the podcast here.

AMERICAN JEWISH AND AMERICAN HELLENIC ORGANIZATIONS WELCOME RECENT U.S., ISRAEL, GREECE, CYPRUS ENGAGEMENT
 
(Washington, D.C., July 29, 2019)--The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA), American Hellenic Institute (AHI), B’nai B’rith International, and Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations issued the following joint statement:
 
“We welcome the continued development of the Israel, Greece, and Cyprus trilateral partnership with news of the ‘First Economic Dialogue held between the United States and Trilateral Partners Republic of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel’ on July 25 in Washington, D.C.  We applaud the United States’ ongoing engagement following March’s Sixth Trilateral Summit where the United States participated for the first time. 
 
“Separately, we welcome as another positive indicator that bilateral relations between Greece and Israel have not lost a step with a newly elected government in Greece as evidenced by Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias’s visit to Israel early in the new government’s tenure.  The July 28 visit included meetings with President of Israel Rivlin, Prime Minister Netanyahu, and Foreign Minister Katz to discuss matters pertaining to the tripartite and developments in the eastern Mediterranean, which we view as vital and timely.
 
“We applaud the commitment to fostering peace, security, stability, and shared democratic values and ideals, in the region by all parties.  We are pleased the relationship continues to progress across all sectors. We will continue to lend our broad diaspora support and encouragement for advancing the trilateral partnership and the United States’ commitment to it.”
 
Background
In August 2011 and December 2012 AHEPA, AHI, B’nai B’rith International, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations co-organized roundtable discussions in New York City between leaders of the American Hellenic and American Jewish communities.
 
In January 2018, the four organizations completed their third Leadership Mission to Israel, Cyprus and Greece and are planning a fourth mission in 2020.  The groundbreaking inaugural mission to the three countries took place January 2014 and led to diaspora support for the tripartite, greater understanding between our communities, and the greater recognition of our common values, intents, and aspirations.
 
In December 2018, the organizations co-sponsored an international conference held in Jerusalem titled, “New Realities in the Eastern Mediterranean.”
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
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B’nai B’rith Podcast: New Episode on Dangers of Losing the Narrative on Middle East Conflict
 
(Washington, D.C., July 24, 2019)--Author and attorney Lee Bender notes: “Words have tremendous meaning. And if they are maligned, or misunderstood and mischaracterized, that can cause tremendous problems, issues and concerns.”
 
Bender joined B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin on the B’nai B’rith Podcast to talk about the pervasiveness and dangers of anti-Israel bias in the media.  He co-wrote “Pressing Israel: Media Bias from A-Z” with Jerome Verlin and runs the website FactsonIsrael.com.
 
On the podcast, Bender and Mariaschin discuss how anti-Israel activists continue to poison the discourse around Israel and Zionism by injecting biased words into the discussions.
 
For example, many media outlets now differentiate between “East Jerusalem” and “West Jerusalem,” even though Jerusalem has been an undivided city for the vast majority of its history. Bender says that deceptive language like this – what he calls “Toxic Terms” – hurts efforts to reach people who occupy a middle ground between anti-Zionism and pro-Israel advocacy; these people could become pro-Israel if they learn about the issue, but only from unbiased sources that use honest language.
 
While it might be tempting to minimize the importance of precision in language, Bender cautions against this: “Our motto is: if you forfeit the language, you forfeit our heritage and our history.”
 
Listen to the podcast here.
 
B’nai B’rith International has advocated for global Jewry and championed the cause of human rights since 1843. B’nai B’rith is recognized as a vital voice in promoting Jewish unity and continuity, a staunch defender of the State of Israel, a tireless advocate on behalf of senior citizens and a leader in disaster relief. With a presence around the world, we are the Global Voice of the Jewish Community. Visit www.bnaibrith.org
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(Washington, D.C., July 23, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

We commend the U.S. House of Representative for its unequivocal and bipartisan support of three measures that reaffirm Israel’s place as a critical U.S. ally and partner.

B’nai B’rith strongly supported all three measures: H. Res. 246, a resolution introduced in the House which repudiates the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement; H.R. 1850, the Palestinian International Terrorism Support Prevention Act of 2019; and H.R. 1837, the United States-Israel Cooperation Enhancement and Regional Security Act. The measures affirm that the House opposes the BDS movement, which seeks the delegitimization of Israel; impose sanctions on groups affiliated with Hamas or Islamic Jihad; promote American investment in Israel; and reaffirm the United States’ strategic partnership with Israel.

It is vital that bipartisan support for Israel continues. The BDS movement, which advocates for the boycott of Israeli goods and services, is counterproductive to achieving peace. Allowing violent terrorist groups to be financed fuels the Hamas and Islamic Jihad declared goal of eliminating Israel.
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The votes this evening send a strong signal to the world that the House, on behalf of the American people, stands with Israel.