​(Washington, D.C., Feb. 28, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
The United Nations Human Rights Council is hewing to its anti-Israel track record with its new “Report of the independent international commission of inquiry on the protests in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” This latest anti-Israel U.N. “probe” – whose biased outlook was set in advance – disregards Hamas terrorism while defaming Israel with the outrageous lie that Israel targeted “people with disabilities.”
 
The report looks at the Hamas-organized riots held along Gaza’s boundary with Israel between March 30 and Dec. 31 of 2018. During these events, Hamas terrorists rushed the border fence separating Gaza from Israel in an effort to infiltrate Israel, targeted Israeli soldiers with explosives and sniper attacks, set on fire thousands of tires causing environmental devastation across the region and launched explosive kites and balloons into Israel, which destroyed Israeli citizens’ property and incessantly threatened civilian lives. 
 
Violent aggressors are not “protesters” and marauding young men are not innocent “children.” Hamas jihadists, openly committed to Israel’s destruction, own the blame for persistently forcing Israelis and Palestinians into harm’s way.
 
Israel fully and unconditionally withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005. Since that time, Hamas terrorists have taken control of Gaza and used the area to launch endless attacks against Israelis. Israel has a fundamental right and obligation to defend its civilians and its borders, and it has done so with exceptional care and restraint. The U.N. Human Rights Council report should be denounced globally as the farce that it is. 

(Washington, D.C., Feb. 27, 2019)--Sports writer and award-winning New York Times bestselling author Jane Leavy talks about the subjects of her three biographies, baseball legends Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle and Sandy Koufax on the latest B’nai B’rith International podcast.
 
Her new book, “The Big Fella: Babe Ruth and the World He Created,” explores, among other topics, the early years of the baseball legend’s life, uncovering never-revealed aspects of his childhood. The book also provides fresh information on Ruth’s relationship with his agent Christy Walsh, who in many ways defined and created the modern publicity and marketing machine. Leavy also chronicles one of Ruth’s last public appearances, at a B’nai B’rith/Knights of Columbus event just weeks before he died.
 
Podcast host and B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin asked Leavy about her two earlier works: “The Last Boy: Mickey Mantle and the End of America’s Childhood” and “Sandy Koufax: A Lefty’s Legacy.” Leavy described these three books as “an inadvertent trilogy,” in the sense that Koufax “eschewed fame,” Mantle was destroyed by fame and Babe Ruth “invented fame.”
 
In discussing Koufax and his decision to sit out pitching a World Series game because it was Yom Kippur, Leavy noted that he knew there would be much attention paid to his choices regarding Judaism, and he let his actions speak for him. She said it took Koufax time to come to grips with how much it meant to other people that he did not play on Yom Kippur.
 
“The Big Fella” has been awarded the Seymour Medal, presented annually by the Society for American Baseball Research for the best baseball book of the year. The book has also been nominated for the National Book Critics Award in biography as well as the Pen-Faulkner award for literary sports writing.
 
To listen to the full podcast, click here. https://www.bnaibrith.org/podcasts/biographer-jane-leavy-on-babe-ruth-and-other-baseball-giants

(Washington, D.C., Feb. 19, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
We are outraged by today’s discovery of large-scale vandalism of Jewish graves, the same day that thousands of French protesters from across the political spectrum marched en masse against anti-Semitism. Mere hours before members of 14 French political parties came together in solidarity with France’s Jewish community, it was discovered that more than 80 graves had been desecrated with spray-painted swastikas in the eastern French village of Quatzenheim.
 
The discovery is even more troubling in the wake of Yellow Jackets protesters’ attacks on French Jewish philosopher Alain Finkielkraut, who was accosted by demonstrators on Saturday. Finkielkraut’s assailants shouted, “Go back to Tel Aviv!” and “Dirty Jew!” among other vulgarities.
 
We are appreciative that French President Emmanuel Macron visited the vandalized Jewish cemetery, as well as strongly condemned the attack on Finkielkraut. However, more must be done to fight anti-Semitism in France, where anti-Semitic incidents increased by 74 percent between 2017 and 2018, and across Europe. Additionally, we call on all European Union member states to implement the action plan to combat anti-Semitism developed by B’nai B’rith International, the European Jewish Congress and the American Jewish Committee’s Transatlantic Institute.
 
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., Feb. 11, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
We call on the House leadership to publicly rebuke Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) for her anti-Semitic tweets implying pro-Israel lawmakers are paid by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
 
Members of Congress are pro-Israel because the constituents they represent, like Americans across the country, overwhelmingly support the Jewish state.   
 
Omar, in a tweet responding to far-left journalist Glenn Greenwald, wrote “It’s all about the Benjamins baby” in reference to Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California)’s stated intent to censure both Omar and controversial lawmaker Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan), who has also made anti-Israel comments.
 
When Batya Ungar-Sargon, the opinion editor for the Jewish newspaper The Forward, responded that she “would love to know who [Omar] thinks is paying American politicians to be pro-Israel” and accused Omar of tweeting an “anti-Semitic trope,” Omar responded not with an apology but by tweeting “AIPAC!”
 
Trafficking in the worst sort of anti-Semitic canards has become Omar’s stock in trade. As a supporter of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, she has already shown her willingness to subject Israel to a behavioral double standard that she does not apply to any other country. Instead of recognizing that most Americans are pro-Israel due to their own deeply held values, she accuses them of being bribed or hypnotized into disagreeing with her; in 2012, Omar tweeted “Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel.”
 
Her anti-Israel stance is merely political cover for her anti-Semitic beliefs.
 
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
​

Current European anti-Semitism poses “the greatest threat that has faced the Jewish community at any point since World War II.”
 ​

(Washington, D.C., Feb. 7, 2019)--B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin gave opening remarks at a conference focused on anti-Semitism in Europe, held under the auspices of the Romanian presidency of the European Union (EU) Council. We are encouraged that the Romanian presidency has chosen to prioritize combating anti-Semitism by holding this conference.
 
Mariaschin's speech confronted modern European anti-Semitism, including anti-Zionism, directly: "Here in Europe, the continent that experienced the Holocaust, the legacy of that historical episode figures somehow in the psychological calculus that has produced the burgeoning anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment so pervasive in Europe today.  Add to this combustible mix Europe's historical predilection toward anti-Semitism, and what results is the ugliness that has tarnished European society for much of the past 20 years and posed the greatest threat that has faced the Jewish community at any point since World War II....The obligation to confront anti-Semitism - and to make clear that the demonization and delegitimization of the Jewish state is often none other than a pretext for the hatred of Jews themselves - falls on all of us."
 
 The conference, entitled "The Fight Against Antisemitism: A Common Approach to Better Protect Jewish Communities in Europe - From Policy to Action," also included speakers from the European Parliament, the Romanian government and Jewish organizations. It followed another conference on anti-Semitism held in November 2018 by the Austrian presidency of the EU Council.
 
 In addition to Mariaschin, Serge Dahan, the president of B'nai B'rith Europe; Stephane Teicher, B'nai B'rith International Senior vice president and representative to UNESCO; Jose Jacobescu, president of B'nai B'rith Romania; Andre Ouzana, B'nai B'rith Europe treasurer (France); Valerie Achache, B'nai B'rith Europe General Secretary (France); Gunnar Bjork, B'nai B'rith Europe executive committee (Denmark); Hannah Kamelson, B'nai B'rith Europe director; and Ben Naegele, B'nai B'rith International's Director of EU Affairs participated in the conference.
 
For more information about the conference, click here. For Mariaschin’s full speech, click here. For video of the speech, click here. Mariaschin's speech starts at 11 hours 20 minutes. 
 
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., Feb. 7, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
We laud Tuesday’s overwhelmingly bipartisan Senate passage of the anti-BDS provision of the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act, sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia). The act is a package of bills relating to Middle East policy, including an anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) bill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi should bring this bill to a vote in the House as soon as possible.
 
The bipartisan measure would also enhance security cooperation between the U.S. and Jordan, strengthen sanctions against Syria and reauthorize military aid to Israel. It passed 77-23.
 
The bill affirms the right of state governments to exclusively do business with companies that do not boycott the State of Israel. Even before the bill was passed, similar local anti-BDS bills had already been enacted in 26 states.
 
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., Feb. 6, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

It is difficult to discuss any issues today without addressing the utter breakdown in bipartisanship among our elected officials. We welcome President Donald J. Trump’s attention during his State of the Union address to the issue of compromise. We cannot focus on our most important concerns, nor hope to achieve successes, without a significant measure of cross-party support. We are deeply disappointed in the collapse of bipartisan agreement on issues big and small.

B’nai B’rith is committed to a peaceful and secure existence for the State of Israel, and by and large, Congress and the White House have agreed that supporting Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, is vital to stability in the region. We are encouraged that the president expressed his support for the longstanding U.S.-Israel alliance and highlighted the 2018 move of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Israel’s rightful capital.  We remain deeply concerned about Iran’s hegemonic tendencies in the Middle East and the existential threat it poses to Israel. We welcome the president’s forceful commitment to keep Iran and the threat it poses globally in check.

We appreciate the special attention given during the address to the frightening rise of anti-Semitism in the U.S. with the inclusion of Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue shooting survivors Judah Samet and injured police officer Timothy Matson as special White House guests in the House gallery.

B’nai B’rith is committed to comprehensive immigration reform, which, of course, has become one of the most contentious issues of our time. While we support the need for border security, we continue to be committed to a compassionate and legal immigration system.

In June, B’nai B’rith wrote to the attorney general to express our deep concern with the administration’s immigration policy. In our letter, we noted: “The American Jewish community well understands the plight of immigrants fleeing violence and oppression in hope of a better life. We believe that how the United States treats its newest arrivals reflects on the values and ideals of our country.”  We also noted: “Founded by immigrants to the U.S. fleeing persecution abroad, B’nai B’rith sympathizes with new immigrants to our country and the many struggles they face. We are therefore committed to a compassionate immigration system that reflects the crucial values of family unity and justice.”

We had hoped for a greater focus on the health and housing needs of low-income seniors. As the largest national Jewish sponsor of low income, nonsectarian housing for seniors, we are committed to all aspects of healthy aging. We hope the White House and Congress will focus resources on lowering prescription drug prices and providing more affordable housing for seniors of limited means. Currently, too many seniors are forced to self-ration prescribed medications because they just cannot afford what their medical care team says they need to maintain their health, and we welcome the president’s commitment to bipartisan efforts to address the high cost of prescription drugs. The waiting list for affordable apartments for seniors of limited means is years-long. Any discussion of investments in infrastructure should include bipartisan commitment for more senior housing.
​
The recent partial government shutdown proved just how vital government services are to our nation’s economy and its moral fabric. As we approach another funding deadline, we hope the parties will pause to consider the collateral damage extreme partisanship has on the American people and opt for compromise.

(Washington, D.C., Feb. 5, 2019)— B’nai B’rith International welcomes the appointment of Elan Carr as the new U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism.
 
As envoy, Carr will focus the department's efforts to monitor anti-Semitic hate crimes and work with foreign governments on confronting anti-Semitic movements and individuals who carry out acts of hate against Jewish communities outside the United States.
 
B’nai B’rith has long emphasized the importance of having an anti-Semitism envoy and advocated for the long-vacant position to be filled. In January, B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin argued in an op-ed that the world looks to America for leadership in combating anti-Semitism, and appointing an envoy would broadcast a strong message to the world. In 2017, Mariaschin wrote another op-ed arguing against the elimination of the special envoy position altogether.
 
Mariaschin, along with B’nai B’rith President Charles O. Kaufman, said: “Elan Carr is an outstanding choice for the Special Envoy’s position.  His legal and law enforcement background, and his longtime involvement in the Jewish community will serve him well in calling out anti-Semitism, especially in view of its dramatic proliferation globally.”
 
Carr, a special victim prosecutor in Los Angeles, was formerly the president of international Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) and has served on the National Council of AIPAC. He is a longtime friend of B’nai B’rith and of the Jewish community at large.
 
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
​

B’nai B’rith International will award the annual Sally R. Schneider Scholarship to a deserving Jewish female graduate student in the spring of 2019. Applications are now being accepted.
 
Sally Schneider, born in Brooklyn in 1919, was a voracious reader and a passionate supporter of Israel who felt strongly that women should be independent and educated. She and her husband, George, were longtime B’nai B’rith members. In 1998, after Sally’s death, the family set up an endowment fund in her name.
 
This scholarship, of approximately $1,000, will be awarded to an individual from among the applicants meeting the following qualifications: 
 
1) A deserving Jewish female graduate student; 2) In the metropolitan New York area; 3) Currently enrolled in and attending a graduate program (by Jan. 31, 2019) in a field benefiting humankind, including, but not limited to medicine, medical research, education, social work, psychology, chiropractic medicine, nursing or public health; and 4) The candidate should demonstrate an involvement or interest in Jewish culture.
 
To apply, please submit a statement (no more than two pages, typed and double-spaced, including home address and email) indicating your qualifications for this scholarship to Marna Schoen: mschoen@bnaibrith.org. For questions, please call 202-857-6512.
 
Applications must be received by March 1, 2019.
 
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