Book Writing Contest Focusing on Tolerance and Diversity

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge in the D.C.-metro area is “Happy Birthday!” written and illustrated by Jean-Young Kim from Poolesville High School in Germantown, Md. Diverse Minds is a contest where high school students write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. Kim was announced the winner at an award ceremony at The Pepco Edison Place Gallery on May 28.

This education and awareness initiative was created as part of B’nai B’rith programming that promotes tolerance and communicates a message of equality among all citizens. Funded by Pepco, the contest aims to enlighten, inspire and educate America's young people and their families in an effort to eradicate prejudices and strengthen ties among today’s youth.  

> Click here to read "Happy Birthday!" and the other placing entries

In Kim’s story “Happy Birthday!” Henry wakes up on the eve of his 10th birthday excited, yet, unsure as to how he’ll celebrate the big day. Henry goes to school and changes his birthday plans over and over after hearing how his classmates celebrate their birthdays across a wide range of cultures. At the end of the day, Henry is ultimately left confused, wondering if he’d celebrate his birthday at all. But his friends come through and surprise Henry with a perfect, multicultural birthday party.

At the ceremony, the finalists and winners were congratulated by Joe Rigby, chairman, president and CEO of Pepco Holdings Inc., and Daniel S. Mariaschin, executive vice president of B’nai B’rith International.

“I’ve traveled a great deal on behalf of B’nai B’rith. I’ve met with people of all cultures and all beliefs. These travels have provided a true testament to the benefits of diversity. But I’ve personally witnessed what can happen when intolerance prevails. That’s why B’nai B’rith has made it a priority to teach tolerance to our nation’s young people in the hope that discriminatory acts that have occurred in the past and are still happening today will not happen in future generations,” B’nai B’rith Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. “Our efforts to promote tolerance is not merely a Jewish cause, it’s a topic of concern to all of our nation’s citizens. Where intolerance exists, whether it’s through genocide, or a slur at school, we’re all affected.”

“I don’t think you have to look that far around us, to understand the issues that separate us, they don’t need to separate us. If you understand the value of the differences, they can actually start to bring us together,” Rigby said. “A lot of issues we face in the world are based in intolerance. And this is an important step to work together with young people to bring about a generation of incredible tolerance and to bring the world into a better place.”

At the ceremony, New York Times Best Selling Author Carolyn Parkhurst addressed the finalists, offering advice and encouragement to the young storywriters, as well sharing her own personal path to becoming a published author that began at the age of 15.

B’nai B’rith International has written U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon concerning the absurd recommendation by U.N. Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui to place Israel on the list of entities that regularly and systematically harm children in conflict situations. Adding Israel to this list would put it on the same footing as such grave violators of human rights as the Taliban, Boko Haram and ISIS.

In the letter, B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin wrote: “On behalf of B’nai B’rith International – the world’s oldest Jewish humanitarian, advocacy and social action organization, with a grassroots presence in nearly 50 countries – we are writing to strongly urge you to denounce the absurd recommendation of UN Special Representative for Children in Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui to place Israel on the list of entities that regularly and systematically harm children in conflict situations. Adding Israel to this list, which includes such grave violators of human rights as the Taliban, Boko Haram and ISIS, amongst others, would do serious and irreparable damage to the reputation of the United Nations.

“Including Israel, a vibrant democracy that goes to painstaking efforts to avoid civilian casualties when fighting terrorist organizations that conceal themselves within the Palestinian civilian population, in a list with vicious terrorist organizations that purposely target civilians would make a complete mockery of the international humanitarian and human rights system. Israel puts its soldiers’ lives at risk by warning civilians to evacuate areas where terrorists are storing weapons and firing into Israel. Boko Haram kidnaps girls for the “offense” of seeking an education. ISIS systematically abducts girls and uses them as sex slaves. The sheer brutality of both the Taliban and Al-Qaeda has been on display for the world to see for the past twenty years. Any comparison between the horrific behavior of these terrorist groups and the justified counter-terrorism actions of the Israel Defense Forces lacks a rational basis and would rightly be seen as the UN wallowing in anti-Semitism.

“Hamas and Islamic Jihad, on the other hand, are richly-deserving of a spot on this “illustrious” list of countries and organizations, and we would strongly encourage you to add them. For years, these organizations have been firing rockets indiscriminately at Israeli cities and perpetrating suicide bombings that have killed or maimed Israeli children. They use Palestinian civilians as human shields by operating in civilian areas, including medical and educational facilities (some of the facilities, as you know, belong to the UN). Hamas poisons the minds of Palestinian youth by spreading revolting lies on their media channel about Jews and encouraging children to become martyrs. The mission of these organizations is the destruction of the state of Israel and the perpetration of a new genocide against the Jewish people.

"Hamas and Islamic Jihad are the entities that have for many years been putting children on both sides of the conflict at grave danger, not Israel. The UN’s list of grave violators of the rights of children in conflict situations should reflect this reality.”

Book Writing Contest Focusing on Tolerance and Diversity

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge in southern New Jersey is “Lilly & Sully” written and illustrated by Julia Mallon from Kingsway Regional High School in Mount Royal, N.J. Diverse Minds is a contest where high school students write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. Mallon was announced the winner at an award ceremony at Stockton University in the Kramer Hall Art Gallery on May 27.

> Click here to read "Lilly & Sully" and the other placing entries


This education and awareness initiative was created as part of B’nai B’rith programming that promotes tolerance and communicates a message of equality among all citizens. Funded by Atlantic City Electric, the contest aims to enlighten, inspire and educate America's young people and their families in an effort to eradicate prejudices and strengthen ties among today’s youth.  

In the wonderfully illustrated “Lilly & Sully,” Sully the brown bear is afraid no one will be interested in his tricks and games once Lilly the polar bear arrives at the zoo. After being introduced at the zoo, Lilly becomes insecure about her white fur after hearing the other animals mocking it. When Lilly and Sully finally talk about their insecurities, they realize those things don’t matter and push them aside to become a dynamic, entertaining team that crowds flock to see.

At the ceremony, the finalists and winners were congratulated by Vince Maione, president of Atlantic City Electric, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc., and Mark D. Olshan, associate executive vice president of B’nai B’rith International.

“The people and communities we serve are important to us,” Maione said. “We strive to make a difference in the lives of others by providing safe and reliable service to our customers, helping to protect the environment and supporting various initiatives within our communities. We look forward to continuing to actively participate in our communities today and for years to come.”

Also at the ceremony, 2014 Diverse Minds southern New Jersey winner and current Stockton University student Mary Kate Donahue addressed the finalists, speaking about her experience with the program.

B’nai B’rith International has opened its Flood, Tornado and Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund in the wake of the devastating floods that have swept through central Texas leaving at least 19 dead,  many more missing, and destroying thousands of homes, businesses and other personal property.

B’nai B’rith pledges to use its contacts in the area and to work with other agencies and coalitions to support the emergency, recovery and long-term rebuilding efforts that will be needed as the situation unfolds.

“In the mid-1800s, B’nai B’rith’s first involvement with disaster relief was aiding the people of Baltimore following a tragic flood. Staying true to our roots, B’nai B’rith will again assist those in need following this episode of destructive flooding,” B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said.

Rain drove through the heart of the state on May 25 and into May 26, affecting the Dallas and Austin areas, and paralyzing Houston with more than 11 inches of rain.

The B’nai B’rith Flood, Tornado and Hurricane Disaster Relief Fund aided victims of Hurricane Sandy in the fall of 2012, as well as the victims of tornadoes in Moore, Okla., in 2013. B’nai B’rith disaster relief funds have also provided aid to those affected by the Nepal earthquake, supported victims and families of the terror attack on university students in Kenya, and assisted in curtailing the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

“For B’nai B’rith, it doesn’t matter where the disaster strikes—we will be there. Whether it’s on the other side of the planet or in our own backyard, we’re both quick to respond and always eyeing how to help the long term recovery effort. It’s no different with the flooding in Texas. I’m eager to learn from agencies on the ground and from our local members on how we can be involved in assisting these people,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said.

To help, donate online at our secure website by clicking here.

You can also call 800-573-9057 to make a credit card contribution over the phone. Or, you can send a check payable to the B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund to:

B’nai B’rith International
Disaster Relief Fund 
1120 20th Street NW, Suite 300 North
Washington, DC 20036

Book Writing Contest Focusing on Tolerance and Diversity

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge in the Delmarva Peninsula region is “Girl Dragons Can’t Fly!” written and illustrated by Emma Herdman from Charter School of Wilmington, in Wilmington, Del. Diverse Minds is a contest where high school students write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. Herdman was announced the winner at an award ceremony at the Delmarva Power Conference Center on May 26.

This education and awareness initiative was created as part of B’nai B’rith programming that promotes tolerance and communicates a message of equality among all citizens. Funded by Delmarva Power, the contest aims to enlighten, inspire and educate America's young people and their families in an effort to eradicate prejudices and strengthen ties among today’s youth.  

> Click here to read "Girl Dragons Can't Fly" and the other placing entries

In Herdman’s story “Girl Dragons Can’t Fly!,” Daisy the dragon is told that girl dragons can’t fly or breath fire and that she’s better off with her feet planted firmly on the ground. But she proves her classmates and parents wrong, showing them dragons are capable of doing the same things, no matter what gender they are.

At the ceremony, the finalists and winners were congratulated by Gary Stockbridge, president of Delmarva Power, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc.; John Allen, Jr., vice president of Delmarva Power; and Mark D. Olshan, associate executive vice president of B’nai B’rith International.

“Our customers and the communities we serve are important to us,” Stockbridge said. “We constantly strive to empower individuals through creativity and diversity in addition to providing safe and reliable service to our customers, helping to protect the environment and supporting various initiatives within our region. We cherish opportunities like the one presented by B’nai B’rith and look forward to continuing to build positive relationships and energize those we proudly serve.”

At the ceremony, Orrin White, youth engagement coordinator at the United Way Delaware, addressed the finalists, as well as 2014 Diverse Minds Delmarva winner Monica Keszler, also from the Charter School of Wilmington, who spoke about her experience with the program.

Nadav Eyal (Channel 10), Sam Sokol (Jerusalem Post) Selected as Winners; Lifetime Achievement Award to Kol Israel; David D’Or to Receive Special Citation 

Alan Dershowitz, professor emeritus of Harvard University, will address the B’nai B’rith World Center Award for Journalism Recognizing Excellence in Diaspora Reportage on June 8. Dershowitz—a world-renowned jurist—is universally recognized as one of Israel’s most ardent advocates in the court of world opinion. His address will take the form of a conversation with Liat Collins, editor of the International Jerusalem Post and weekly columnist, during which he will answer tough questions on Israel, American Jewry, the Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions movement, and U.S.-Israel relations.

Winners of the award named for Wolf and Hilda Matsdorf, are Nadav Eyal, Channel 10's chief international correspondent and Sam Sokol, Jewish World correspondent for the Jerusalem Post. A Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of Luis and Trudi Schydlowsky will also be presented to Kol Yisrael—The Voice of Israel Radio—for its long-running program “Searching for Missing Relatives” now edited and presented by Izi Mann. A special citation for contribution to Israel-Diaspora Relations through the arts will be presented to acclaimed singer David D’Or, who will perform.

The event will take place on June 8 at 19:30 at the Van Leer Jerusalem Institute, 43 Jabotinsky St., Jerusalem (coalesce and light refreshment will begin at 19:00). 

Eyal will receive the award in the broadcast media category for his hour-long program “Hate,” broadcast on Channel 10 on Oct. 7, 2014. The program deals with rising anti-Semitism in Europe and was filmed on location in Germany, England and Greece. The broadcast also aired earlier in the year as a four-part mini-series during the station’s primetime news program. The award in the print media category will be presented to Sam Sokol for a series of nearly 30 articles published in the Jerusalem Post from May to December 2014 focusing on the fast-changing situation of Jews in war-ravaged eastern Ukraine.

The Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to Kol Yisrael for its “Searching for Missing Relatives” program, inaugurated in 1945 to help Holocaust survivors track down missing relatives. The program was broadcast continuously until 1969 and was re-launched in 2000 by Yaron Enosh in a new format that included interviews and investigative reporting. Over the years the program, and its English print iteration “Seeking Kin” by Hillel Kuttler, have brought together hundreds of Jews across the globe, locating and reuniting with long-lost relatives, friends and neighbors.

Since its establishment in 1992, the B’nai B’rith World Center Award for Journalism has recognized excellence in reportage on contemporary Diaspora-Jewish communities and on the state of Israel-Diaspora relations today in the Israeli print and electronic media. The award is widely acknowledged in the media industry as the most prestigious prize in its field in Israel. Its goal is to help shore up the relationship between Israel and the Diaspora by recognizing excellence in Diaspora-related reportage appearing in the Israeli print, broadcast and web-based media. It was established in recognition of the important contribution the media can make toward strengthening the relationship between Israel and world Jewry--so essential for the resilience of both--by encouraging quality reportage on Diaspora communities and Israel-Diaspora relations.

The distinguished members of the award jury are: Chairman Asher Weill, publisher and editor of “ARIEL”– The Israel Review of Arts and Letters from 1981 to 2003; Yehudith Auerbach, professor in the School of Communication at Bar Ilan University; Eytan Bentsur, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs director general; Sara Frenkel, former Diaspora correspondent for Israel Radio and Lifetime Achievement Award winner in 2002; Shalom Kital, former director general of News Company and Channel 2; Gabriela Shalev, professor and chair of the Higher Academic Council at Ono Academic College, as well as a former Israeli ambassador to the United Nations; and Bambi Sheleg, founder and editor-in-chief of Eretz Acheret, and a 2011 award winner.

The B’nai B’rith World Center Award for Journalism is named for the late Wolf Matsdorf and his wife Hilda. Wolf was an editor of the B’nai B’rith World Center Journal “Leadership Briefing” and a journalist in Israel and Australia. Hilda was a pioneer in social work in both Australia and Israel. The Lifetime Achievement Award is named for Luis and Trudi Schydlowsky. The Award is made possible through donations from Daniel Schydlowsky, a professor and a member of the B’nai B’rith World Center International Board of Governors (Lima, Peru and Washington D.C.), and the Matsdorf family. 

For more information please contact Alan Schneider, director, B’nai B’rith World Center +972525536441.

Book Writing Contest Focusing on Tolerance and Diversity

The winner of this year’s Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge in the Greater Columbus region is “The Very Special Candy” written and illustrated by Amanda Ba and Meghan McCloskey from Olentangy Orange High School in Lewis Center. Diverse Minds is a contest where high school students write and illustrate children’s books to help elementary school children celebrate tolerance and diversity. Ba and McCloskey were announced as the winners at an award ceremony at the historic Thurber Center in Columbus on May 21.

> Click here to read "A Very Special Candy" 

For Columbus’ inaugural Challenge, B’nai B’rith worked in partnership with McGraw-Hill Education. This education and awareness initiative was created as part of B’nai B’rith programming that promotes tolerance and communicates a message of equality among all citizens. McGraw-Hill Education’s commitment to partnering with students, educators, administrators and other professionals around the world, to deliver engaging, adaptive and personalized solutions that improve performance and results, makes it the ideal partner for Diverse Minds.

In Ba and McCloskey’s story “The Very Special Candy,” five different friends set out to enter a candy making contest as a team, only to fragment over their differences and disagreements as to who would take home the prize if they won. While attempting to make their own candies individually, they each fail and realize the only way to win is to regroup and utilize each other’s strengths. The friends win the contest with a very special candy and take home a very special prize in a five-seater bike.

The finalists and winners were recognized and congratulated by McGraw-Hill Education Senior Vice President Lisa Carmona and B'nai B'rith International Board of Governors Member Peter Perlman.

At the ceremony, Margaret Leis Hanna, chairwoman of the Executive Board of Ohio Writers’ Guild and longtime member of the National League of American Pen Women, addressed the finalists, speaking of the book production process and highlighting one of her books on diversity.

By placing first, Ba and McCloskey will share a $5,000 college scholarship and their book has been professionally published. It will be distributed to local schools, libraries and community organizations, as well as to the annual TODAY Show Holiday Toy and Gift Drive. Their book will also be published as an e-book and will be available on iTunes and Amazon for free download.

Second place winner Ava Rigelhaupt from New Albany High School in New Albany, wrote and illustrated “The Red Circle” and will receive a $2,000 scholarship. Third place winners Breanne Johnson and Maddy Toole from Westerville Central High School in Westerville wrote and illustrated “Fostering Fallon” and will share a $1,000 scholarship. In addition, Ba and McCloskey’s teacher who oversaw the creation of their winning book will receive a $500 stipend to use for classroom or organizational materials. Olentangy Orange High School will also receive a $500 grant. 

Over the last nine years, through the Diverse Minds Youth Writing Challenge, B’nai B’rith has now published 29 original children’s books and awarded more than $200,000 in college scholarships and grants. Thousands of these published books have also been donated to public schools and libraries around the country.

A diverse panel of judges from the worlds of education, the arts, business and government, along with B’nai B’rith International leaders, reviewed the submissions and selected the winners. Judges this year include: Dan Good, superintendent of Columbus City Schools, Ohio’s largest school district; Tom Katzenmeyer, president and CEO of the Greater Columbus Arts Council; and Cabot Rea, NBC4 anchor and leader of the news station’s Battle Against Bullying initiative.

The Challenge was also held this year in New York City, the Washington, D.C.-metro area, the Delmarva Peninsula and in southern New Jersey.

In recognition of their generous support, McGraw-Hill Education will be honored with the B’nai B’rith Distinguished Achievement Award on June 4 at the InterContinental New York Times Square Hotel in New York City. The award acknowledges the accomplishments of key community and corporate leaders from around the world and will be accepted by McGraw-Hill Education President and CEO David Levin. 

B’nai B’rith International has issued the following statement:

B’nai B’rith International condemns the rote resolution passed by the World Health Organization (WHO) that singles out Israel with the perverse implication that Israel is the world’s worst health rights violator rather than a leader in medical ingenuity and compassion. It was the only such resolution targeting a specific country.

The resolution passed by a 104-4 vote, with 6 abstentions and 65 members absent. B’nai B’rith strongly commends Canada, Australia and the United States for standing with Israel against the motion. Armenia, Colombia, Fiji, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Paraguay were the countries abstaining. The vote by European countries in favor of the resolution was especially shameful.

The WHO’s annual assembly was typical of those of many United Nations agencies in that it was filled with false testimony by some of the worst human rights violators in the world. Syria was among those in the parade of Israel-bashers, speaking as the country’s regime is again facing allegations of chemical weapons use against its own civilian population, along with innumerous atrocities wrought during the country’s ongoing civil war.

Lost amid the long list of baseless and biased accusations was the fact that Israel has constantly used its medical resources to help Syrian, Palestinian and other civilians who are victims of their own leaders’ brutal and reckless policies. These people are welcomed across Israel’s borders for treatment—a generous, humane action that would never be reciprocated by Israel’s adversaries. Israel is also home to multiple non-profit organizations providing life-saving medical care to those in need in the region and around the world.

Unfortunately, the WHO’s political attack not only undermines the body’s credibility, but also weakens hope for badly needed reconciliation between Israel and its neighbors.

B’nai B’rith will directly convey its outrage to World Health Organization Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan over this latest injustice.

B’nai B’rith International and Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion (HUC-JIR) are pleased to announce a partnership to acquire, preserve and display the art and artifacts of the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum at HUC-JIR’s Skirball Museum, a vital cultural and educational outreach venue of its historic campus in Cincinnati, Ohio. 

Significantly augmenting the Skirball’s holdings, the Klutznick’s sacred and secular fine and decorative arts and social documents will be exhibited in designated galleries as the “B’nai B’rith Klutznick Collection.” In addition, a select group of Klutznick artifacts will be loaned to the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington to be displayed in its new building, slated for opening in 2020.

With its call for the furthering of innovation for Jewish life and learning, HUC-JIR’s Skirball Museum is an optimal partner to showcase this distinctive collection. As America’s first officially established Jewish Museum, originally named the Union Museum, the Skirball will join forces with B’nai B’rith through online exhibitions and links disseminating information about the collection with other organizations, and the sponsoring of special programs and lectures, ensuring global access to the collection.

B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs noted that the Klutznick was “cherished by Washingtonians and visitors alike, achieving its reputation as a leading Jewish museum through its innovative programs, quality core collection and cutting edge exhibits devoted to Jewish history and culture. Our new venture with the Skirball is a cause for celebration intended to invigorate the Klutznick tradition, and launch new pathways to understanding Judaism through the visual arts.”

The successful 2012 transfer and processing of B’nai B’rith’s own archives to The Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives, situated on the Cincinnati campus of HUC-JIR, motivated the continuing development of the partnership between the two venerable organizations. 

B’nai B’rith itself has a Cincinnati heritage—it was the site of the organization’s national headquarters during the tenure of B’nai B’rith President Alfred Cohen from 1925-1936.

Some years after the 2002 move of B’nai B’rith International from its Rhode Island Avenue headquarters, which necessitated the closure of the museum space, B’nai B’rith surveyed potential venues suitable for the transfer of its collection, assessing factors including location, mission, dedication to Jewish values and demonstrated commitment to the highest custodial standards. 

“The treasured holdings of the Klutznick collection have found an ideal home at HUC-JIR’s Skirball Museum, which is well equipped to process, conserve, study, interpret and display these artifacts that represent the history of Jewish life and culture. We also welcome the partnership with the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington, ensuring that cultural items unique to the greater Washington region will be on display locally,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said.

The B’nai B’rith Klutznick Collection will augment and enhance HUC-JIR’s Skirball Museum and its permanent collection significantly, rendering it among the most prominent Jewish museums between the Alleghenies and the Rockies.

“The acquisition of this historic collection creates unprecedented opportunities for community engagement on local, regional, national and international platforms. Integrating this collection and making it accessible through digital technology will be a priority, as the Skirball positions itself as a center of Jewish art and culture,” Skirball Museum Director Abby Schwartz said.

Rabbi Aaron D. Panken, HUC-JIR President, added, “Through this wonderful partnership with B’nai B’rith International, the enhanced capacity of our Skirball Museum, together with the global reach of our HUC-JIR Museum in New York’s international traveling exhibition program, our Skirball Museum of Biblical Archaeology in Jerusalem, and exhibitions on our Los Angeles campus, reinforces our commitment to the many ways in which the visual arts, illuminating Jewish history, identity, values and experience, can serve as a vital educational and cultural resource for our students, faculty, and the larger public.”

Rabbi Jonathan Cohen, Dean of HUC-JIR’s Cincinnati campus, states, “The partnership between B’nai B’rith International and HUC-JIR represents a shared vision and mission to work together on behalf of Jewish cultural, educational and spiritual continuity.”