B’nai B’rith International has opened its Disaster Relief Fund to help those who might be impacted by hurricanes this year. The 2012 Hurricane Season Disaster Relief Fund will be kept open throughout the remainder of the hurricane season to aid those who might be caught in the path of future storms.  

Hurricane Isaac grabbed headlines across the country this week as the storm slowly rolled across the Gulf Coast. The weather system was eventually downgraded to a tropical storm, but the damage done to Louisiana and Mississippi was severe. Thousands of people were forced out of their homes, hundreds of thousands are without power and the cost to repair the communities affected will be in the billions. 

In opening the 2012 Hurricane Season Disaster Relief Fund, B’nai B’rith will be able to allocate funds to meet post-hurricane needs, as well as have donations available to be used in the rebuilding process long after the storms, and the headlines, are gone.  

“B’nai B’rith has helped disaster victims since 1865. Hurricane season is just getting started. As Hurricane Isaac demonstrates, we don’t know where these storms will hit and the impact they will have. We just know that people need help. It’s a long season,” B'nai B'rith International President Allan J. Jacobs said. 

This hurricane season has been the busiest since 2005 with 12 named storms to date. With that kind of activity, now is the ideal time to focus on helping, in order to keep pace with any storms yet to come. 

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by Hurricane Isaac. The Southeast usually faces violent weather at this time of year and as a humanitarian organization we need to be ready to help when a natural disaster arises,” B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin said.

In 2005, B’nai B’rith provided more than $1.1 million in aid to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The money was allocated to various projects and agencies, tending to immediate needs as well as long term assistance in the years following the disaster.  

You can make donations via a secure link here or mail to: B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief, 2020 K. Street, NW, 7th Floor, Washington, DC 20006. 

B'nai B'rith International is deeply troubled to learn the city government of Frankfurt, Germany, will award University of California, Berkeley, professor Judith Butler with the Theodor Adorno Prize on Sept. 11. Butler is a virulent critic of Israel and has contributed to the demonization and delegitimization of the Jewish state. Because of this, she is thoroughly undeserving of the award and its monetary prize.

The Theodor Adorno Prize is named for the Jewish philosopher and art critic who fled Germany under Nazi rule and returned to Frankfurt after World War II. According to the city of Frankfurt's website the triennial award is given to "acknowledge outstanding performances in the fields of philosophy, music, theatre and film."

Butler's anti-Israel actions include endorsing the United States Campaign for an Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (USACBI), a boycott that was actively promoted by the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Butler was also an active participant in Toronto's Israel Apartheid Week in 2011 and has publically referred to terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah as progressive social movements.

The aim of the BDS movement, and those that use the term "apartheid" when describing Israel, is to stigmatize and gravely undermine the Jewish state. It is wrong to give the Adorno Prize, named in honor of a Jewish intellectual, to anyone who shares these goals.

It is our hope that the city of Frankfurt, a sister-city of Tel Aviv, will reconsider presenting Butler with the Adorno Prize given her lamentable anti-Israel track record.

B'nai B'rith International is deeply troubled to learn the city government of Frankfurt, Germany, will award University of California, Berkeley, professor Judith Butler with the Theodor Adorno Prize on Sept. 11. Butler is a virulent critic of Israel and has contributed to the demonization and delegitimization of the Jewish state. Because of this, she is thoroughly undeserving of the award and its monetary prize.

The Theodor Adorno Prize is named for the Jewish philosopher and art critic who fled Germany under Nazi rule and returned to Frankfurt after World War II. According to the city of Frankfurt's website the triennial award is given to "acknowledge outstanding performances in the fields of philosophy, music, theatre and film."

Butler's anti-Israel actions include endorsing the United States Campaign for an Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (USACBI), a boycott that was actively promoted by the Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) movement against Israel. Butler was also an active participant in Toronto's Israel Apartheid Week in 2011 and has publically referred to terrorist organizations Hamas and Hezbollah as progressive social movements.

The aim of the BDS movement, and those that use the term "apartheid" when describing Israel, is to stigmatize and gravely undermine the Jewish state. It is wrong to give the Adorno Prize, named in honor of a Jewish intellectual, to anyone who shares these goals.

It is our hope that the city of Frankfurt, a sister-city of Tel Aviv, will reconsider presenting Butler with the Adorno Prize given her lamentable anti-Israel track record.

B'nai B'rith International sent the following letter to Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman:

Dear Ms. Raisman:

On behalf of B'nai B'rith International – the world's oldest and best-known Jewish humanitarian, advocacy and social action organization, with members in over 50 countries – we would like to congratulate you on your outstanding accomplishments in the 2012 London Olympics. Your poised performances were a pleasure to watch and were wholly inspirational to all who witnessed.a

Even more impressive was your commitment to the Olympic spirit when the International Olympic Committee disrespectfully denied a minute of silence for the slain Israeli athletes of the 1972 Munich Olympics. By honoring them, you displayed immense courage, showing the world discrimination should not be tolerated.

Performing your gold-medal-winning floor exercise to "Hava Nagila" invoked excitement and pride amongst the Jewish community. It will certainly be a historic moment and your heroic achievement will be recounted for years to come.

Before the Olympics, B'nai B'rith signed the petition initiated by Ankie Spitzer, widow of one of the slain athletes, to encourage the IOC to hold the minute of silence and praised countries such as the United States, England, Australia, Belgium and Germany for supporting these efforts. We also participated in the World Zionist Organization's "Minute for Munich" during the opening ceremonies.

Yet, despite all attempts to honor the fallen athletes, coaches and referees outside of the opening ceremony, your actions trumped them all. The manner in which you recognized the Munich 11 was truly unique. On behalf of B'nai B'rith International and all of its members, we commend you.

Sincerely,

Allan J. Jacobs                             Daniel S. Mariaschin
President                                       Executive Vice President

B'nai B'rith International is dismayed to learn that U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has decided to attend the upcoming summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), to be convened by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran later this month.

On Aug. 10, B'nai B'rith sent a letter to Ban expressing alarm at the reports of his intention to participate in the summit. After repeatedly declining to comment on his travel plans to Tehran, his office confirmed on Aug. 22 that the secretary-general would make the trip.

In the letter to Ban, B'nai B'rith International President Allan J. Jacobs and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin wrote: "The Iranian regime, which is under steadily increasing international isolation due to its deplorable domestic human rights situation, financing of terrorist groups and illicit pursuit of nuclear weapons, hopes to use this summit and the presidency of NAM to gain some international legitimacy without having to curtail any of the abuses that have led to its international pariah status."

Ban's spokesman said he will be in Tehran from Aug. 29 to Aug. 31 and will meet privately with Ahmadinejad.

B'nai B'rith's letter also noted: "This summit, however, is not a U.N.-sponsored gathering or meeting and, therefore, there should be no reason why the U.N. must be represented at all, let alone by its highest official. This meeting is intended to be a celebration of the start of Iran's NAM presidency, and your attendance only gives legitimacy to the Iranian regime."

B'nai B'rith International urges efforts to end the Iranian government's pursuit of nuclear arms, financing of terrorism and oppression of its own people. Given this opportunity to host the secretary-general, the Iranians will certainly use his visit to legitimize their dangerous regime's policies.

> Click here to read the letter.

B’nai B’rith International condemns Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s outrageous comments  made Aug. 17, saying Israel’s existence “is an insult to all humanity.”

“The very existence of the Zionist regime is an insult to all humanity and an affront to all world nations,” said Ahmadinejad as he addressed an audience at Tehran University after a day of pro-Palestinian rallies.

Ahmadinejad’s comments come at a time when Tehran continues to defy international efforts to stop its nuclear weapons program.

“Ahmadinejad’s outrageous comments continue to stoke the fires of hatred in his country,” said B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs. “This international pariah continues to use any means he can to divert attention from his country’s efforts to create nuclear weapons.”

It strains incredulity for Ahmadinejad to say: “Today, confronting the existence of the fabricated Zionist regime is in fact protecting the rights and dignity of all human beings,” From his support of Syrian President Bashir al-Assad, to his violent crackdown on those who oppose his regime, to executions of juvenile offenders, Ahmadinejad clearly has no concern for human rights.

“There seems to be no end to the anti-Israel incitement in which Ahmadinejad engages,” said B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin. “It’s time for the international community to focus and respond on the nonstop hatred emanating from Tehran.”

B’nai B’rith welcomed U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s expression of dismay over Ahmadinejad’s comments, but has urged Ban not to attend next week’s meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) at which Iran will assume the group’s chairmanship.

B'nai B'rith International has sent a letter to Apple Chief Executive Officer Timothy Cook asking for the anti-Semitic app "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" to be removed from Apple's iTunes App Store.

In the letter B'nai B'rith International President Allan J. Jacobs and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin write: "'The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,' a proven forgery, purports to show a Jewish conspiracy to take over the world. This anti-Semitic tract has been used over the past century to incite violence against Jews."

Apple is known for its stringent guidelines applications must meet before being approved for sale in the App Store. Apps deemed defamatory, offensive or likely to expose a targeted group to violence are normally rejected by Apple. We are appalled "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" made it through the review process, as this text is often used by Neo-Nazis and anti-Semitic Arab groups to drum up hatred toward Jews.

The letter also notes: "The distribution of 'The Protocols' in Arabic is meant to instill blind hatred of Jews in a part of the world were anti-Israel animus is already all-too-common. Technology can be used as a tool to better the world, but it also has the power to spread hate quickly and more widely."

The publishing of this app condones the spreading of hateful actions that B'nai B'rith works to prevent.

> Read the letter here.

Gary P. Saltzman of Centennial, Colo., has been initiated as an honorary brother in the Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi).

Saltzman, the chairman of the Executive Committee of B’nai B’rith International, is attending the 99th anniversary AEPi convention in Phoenix. Prior to his initiation, Saltzman took part in the Hineni community service project with a local Boys and Girls Club, the Israel Amplified conference for Jews in the college Greek system and the joint B’nai B’rith-AEPi community service project focusing on disaster preparedness for children.

B’nai B’rith and AEPi teamed up in 2007 to provide community service and educational and advocacy programming to encourage fraternity brothers to stay active in the Jewish community after graduating college.

Saltzman has been an active member of B’nai B’rith for more than 35 years. Prior to his current role as chairman of the executive committee, Saltzman held numerous leadership positions, including active involvement in the leadership of BBYO on behalf of B’nai B’rith International. He remains a member of the Denver Lodge board.

Professionally, Saltzman is a Certified Public Accountant with the Wenner Group, LLC and a registered investment advisor with Transitions Wealth Management, LLC.

B’nai B’rith International has sent a letter to U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to express dismay at the reports of his intentions to participate in the upcoming summit of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), to be convened by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in Tehran later this month.

In the letter B’nai B’rith International President Allan J. Jacobs and Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin write: “The Iranian regime, which is under steadily increasing international isolation due to its deplorable domestic human rights situation, financing of terrorist groups and illicit pursuit of nuclear weapons, hopes to use this summit and the presidency of NAM to gain some international legitimacy without having to curtail any of the abuses that have led to its international pariah status.”

While the secretary-general’s trip has yet to be formally announced, several news outlets reported he will indeed travel to Tehran and his office is currently working out the details.

The letter also notes: “This summit, however, is not a U.N.-sponsored gathering or meeting and, therefore, there should be no reason why the U.N. must be represented at all, let alone by its highest official. This meeting is intended to be a celebration of the start of Iran’s NAM presidency, and your attendance only gives legitimacy to the Iranian regime.”

B’nai B’rith International supports any efforts to constrain the Iranian government’s pursuit of nuclear arms, finance terrorism and oppress its people. No matter how well-intentioned the secretary-general might frame his business in Tehran, the Iranians will certainly use his visit as positive publicity.

> Read the full letter here.

Community Service Project Creates Disaster Preparedness Kits

The Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) honored B’nai B’rith International on Aug. 9 for its ongoing support and partnership.

During a luncheon celebration as part of the 99th anniversary AEPi convention in Phoenix, AEPi thanked B’nai B’rith International Executive Vice President Daniel S. Mariaschin, himself an AEPi brother, for B’nai B’rith’s commitment to community service activities and its support of Israel. B’nai B’rith Chairman of the Executive Committee Gary Saltzman also attended the luncheon. Saltzman will be initiated as an honorary brother in AEPi on Aug. 10.

Mariaschin also spoke at the luncheon about the impact community service can make to an individual and a community and how partnerships in the Jewish community can expand the reach of remarkable programming.

Such outreach was on display during the 2012 joint service project, where about 450 brothers created activity kits to occupy children during a disaster evacuation. The participants also created art materials to make disaster shelters more child-friendly.

B’nai B’rith co-sponsored an Aug. 7 Jewish enrichment conference—Hineni—that preceded the full AEPi convention.  AEPi brothers joined children from the Boys and Girls Club of Scottsdale, Ariz., playing board games and doing arts and crafts projects. The AEPi brothers also brought to life the book A Dragon of  Inn, this year’s winning book in the B’nai B’rith International Diverse Minds book writing contest that challenges teens to write books about tolerance and diversity.

B’nai B’rith and AEPi teamed up in 2007 to provide community service, educational and advocacy programming to encourage fraternity brothers to stay active in the Jewish community after graduating college.

Mariaschin is a recipient of the AEPi Gitelson Silver Medallion, an award which honors AEPi alumni who have committed to practice Jewish community service.