When B’nai B’rith’s founders gathered at Sinsheimer’s Café on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the fall of 1843, their initial mission was simple: To help recently arrived Jewish immigrants adapt to their new community and country. They carried this simple, yet, essential mission and got the ball rolling on what has turned into 170 years of assisting the global community.

This month, B’nai B’rith International is celebrating its 170th birthday, a remarkable milestone when both the longevity and the impact of the organization are considered. B’nai B’rith has evolved to meet the changing needs of the three different centuries we have touched.

Our name is older than many major institutions still around today. The New York Times, Major League Baseball, Coke and the Red Cross are all B’nai B’rith’s junior.

B’nai B’rith has made an indelible impact across the globe. We are a steadfast advocate for Israel, we assist victims of natural and man-made disasters, we support seniors through advocacy on vital health issues, we are the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income housing for the elderly, we fight for the rights of Jews worldwide. With a presence at the United Nations from the world body’s inception, B’nai B’rith’s enduring commitment to human rights continues. Through our vast scope of issues, our work is rarely matched.