(Washington, D.C., Dec. 20, 2018)— Benjamin Nägele, B’nai B’rith’s director for European Union (EU) affairs, joined CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin for a discussion on anti-Semitism in Europe and how B’nai B’rith is working with EU-affiliated institutions and member states to combat it.
 
Nägele and Mariaschin discussed B’nai B’rith’s European advocacy on behalf of our members and the Jewish community at large. Within EU institutions, B’nai B’rith works with the European Parliament as an advisory board member of the Anti-Semitism Working Group; with the European Commission in conjunction with the Fundamental Rights Unit; and with the European Council, which prioritized tackling anti-Semitism as one of its main objectives this year. The council’s presidency rotates among member states, and this year’s Austrian Presidency used its six-month term to hold a conference focused on anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism. Influenced by the EU’s renewed focus on anti-Semitism, a number of European countries have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA)’s working definition of anti-Semitism.
 
The podcast also delved into the results of a recent disturbing survey on anti-Semitism in Europe conducted by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), which showed that 85 percent of European Jews believed anti-Semitism was the largest social or political problem in their country. To Nägele, the most striking statistics from the survey were the revelations that 38 percent of European Jews had considered emigrating in the next decade and 79 percent of those who had experienced anti-Semitic harassment in the past five years said they did not report the most serious anti-Semitic incidents to police, because they thought doing so would be futile.
 
He emphasized that while European Jews understand the prevalence of anti-Semitism in Europe, non-Jews may not be aware of its full extent: “Anti-Semitism can be vandalism. It can be insults. It can be harassment at the workplace, and so on, and it not only affects the direct victim, but it also affects the communities at large. And people simply don’t perceive it as a problem because Jewish populations across European member states are such a small percentage of society. A lot of the time, they’re not even one percent of the overall population, but at the same time, they attract, depending on the European country, up to 40 percent of all hate crimes committed. That’s a crazy proportion of focus on one specific minority.”
 
To listen to the full discussion on our podcast, click 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

(Washington, D.C., Dec. 18, 2018)— B’nai B’rith International has issued the following statement: In recognition of her longstanding public service and stalwart defense of Israel at the United Nations, B’nai B’rith International recognized United States Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley with B’nai B’rith’s Award for Excellence in Diplomacy.
 
The award was presented today by B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin at a private event at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York.
 
During Haley’s tenure as U.N. ambassador, the United States announced plans to withdraw from the vehemently biased anti-Israel U.N. Human Rights Council, which consistently singles out the Jewish state for more condemnation than all other countries, and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which Palestinians have exploited to deny Jews’ connection to foremost holy sites in Jerusalem. The U.S. also suspended funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees, a heavily politicized body that routinely demonizes Israel and helps perpetuate Middle East hostilities. Haley strongly defended American recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and vetoed U.N. Security Council condemnation of that just and important step. She also spearheaded and lobbied for a resolution that, while prevented by a procedural maneuver, garnered a majority of the U.N. General Assembly in favor of condemning attacks by Hamas, the Palestinian terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip.
 
“Ambassador Haley was a valuable voice at the U.N. speaking truth to power,” said Kaufman. “We will miss her passionate defense of human rights around the world and courage in standing up against institutional anti-Israel bias.”
 
Mariaschin also praised Haley: “Nikki Haley has assured her place in the history of American diplomacy by her forthright support for fair treatment for Israel at the UN, and by calling out the severe abuses of the UN system, which accounts for the bias against it. She’s certainly deserving of our “Excellence in Diplomacy Award.”
 
In addition to Kaufman and Mariaschin, the award presentation was attended by B’nai B’rith volunteer leaders and staff including: Chairman of the Executive Seth Riklin; Steven and Sandra Horowitz of Chicago; B’nai B’rith Council on U.N. Affairs Chair Millie Magid and Larry Magid of New York; Stuart Cahn of New York; and B’nai B’rith Director of U.N. and Intercommunal Affairs David Michaels.
 
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., Dec. 13, 2018)— Ashok Kumar Mirpuri, ambassador of Singapore to the United States, was the speaker at today’s B’nai B’rith Diplomatic Encounter series in Washington, D.C. During his remarks, he emphasized Singapore’s cooperation with Israel, dating to Israel’s assistance in helping Singapore establish a military force in the early days of Singapore’s independence. Singapore and Israel now enjoy excellent economic relations and cooperation on a wide range of bilateral issues. 

“We are unashamed of our strong relationship, because at the time of [Singaporean] independence, very few countries stood behind us,” Mirpuri said of his country’s relationship with Israel. “No country wanted to help us build up a military force except Israel…since 1966, we’ve built up a Singaporean national service, very much modeled on the Israeli national service.”

The ambassador spoke about the long Jewish history in Singapore. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Iraqi Jews emigrated and found a place in Singapore’s religious pluralism. There was even a B’nai B’rith presence there.

Mirpuri also discussed Singapore’s recent vote to condemn Palestinian terrorist group Hamas at the United Nations. Although the American motion to condemn Hamas ultimately failed due to a procedural roadblock requiring two-thirds of the General Assembly to vote for it, rather than a simple majority, Singapore voted for the resolution and against the two-thirds majority requirement.

Asked about the future of Singaporean U.N. votes on Israel-related matters, Mirpuri reiterated his support for a two-state solution and said of the U.N., “I hope there can be a better balance…we will criticize Hamas, but we will support Palestinians as well.”

B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin introduced the program and noted: “The Jewish community has a long history in Singapore, dating back to the 1800s. Singapore saw its first wave of Jewish immigrants from the Baghdadi Trade Diaspora during the late-18th and early 19th centuries, and from those escaping persecution under Ottoman rule.” 

Mariaschin went on to stress the positive ties between Israel and Singapore: “The special relationship has developed an extensive, mutually beneficial security cooperation. The two nations also share several bilateral agreements providing a framework for cooperation in the areas of healthcare, investments and technological research & development. In February 2017, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Singapore, the first visit from an Israeli leader to the country in 30 years.”

The ambassador emphasized his country’s strong economic and national security ties with the United States including the two countries’ close cooperation on counterterrorism initiatives. Singapore was the first Asian country to sign on to the Defeat-ISIS Campaign and has the largest foreign military presence on American soil, where it utilizes bases for training. Economic cooperation between the U.S. and Singapore is also strong. Singapore is the second-largest Asian investor in the U.S. after Japan, and Singapore has more American investments than China and India combined.

Since 2002, the B’nai B’rith Diplomatic Encounter Series has provided a forum for diplomats to discuss current domestic and foreign policy topics.​

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 co-sponsored an international conference in Israel focusing on strategic cooperation among like-minded nations in the Eastern Mediterranean. The conference was sponsored with the Jerusalem Institute for Strategic Studies (JISS), in cooperation with the American Hellenic Institute (AHI) and American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (AHEPA).
 
The conference examined the emerging regional security architecture. It also addressed energy issues and a range of other mutually beneficial projects, as well as specific regional military and geopolitical threats in the region.
 
Maj. Gen. (res.) Yair Golan, former Israel Defense Forces deputy chief of staff, addressed the opening session of the conference. Tsachi Hanegbi, Israel’s minister of regional cooperation and Ioannis Kasoulidis, former Cypriot foreign minister, addressed the closing session, chaired by B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman. B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel Mariaschin also spoke, opening the conference.
 
To watch a recording of the conference, click here.

(Washington, D.C., Dec. 10, 2018)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:   

B’nai B’rith International is alarmed by the results of a survey tracking anti-Semitism that was released Monday by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA). The survey, which covered the 13 member states with 95 percent of European Jewry, showed that 85 percent of Europe’s Jews believed anti-Semitism was the biggest social or political problem in their society. Another 38 percent said they had considered emigrating. While 30 percent said they had been harassed, 79 percent of those who had experienced anti-Semitic harassment in the past five years said they did not report the most serious anti-Semitic incidents to police. Many thought that alerting the authorities would be pointless.

Sadly, we are not shocked by the results of this survey. In just the past year, European Jews have suffered a number of anti-Semitic attacks. In France, where 95 percent of Jews said anti-Semitism was a fairly or very big problem, an 8-year-old boy was attacked on the street for wearing a yarmulke and an elderly Holocaust survivor was murdered in what was deemed an anti-Semitic hate crime. In Germany, an Israeli citizen of Arab descent wearing a yarmulke was beaten with a belt by a stranger for the “crime” of appearing visibly Jewish. In the United Kingdom in 2017, a different Jewish victim was targeted an average of four times a day.

However, we are encouraged by the actions taken by the European Union (EU) and the FRA to fight the scourge of anti-Semitism. This survey was an important step in documenting the harassment and abuse faced by European Jews. Last week, the Council of the European Union approved a declaration that called for widespread adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of anti-Semitism, championed Holocaust education and advocated for the development of a common security approach to fight anti-Semitism across the continent. Last month, the Austrian Presidency of the EU Council used its platform to hold a conference focused on anti-Semitism entitled, “Beyond Anti-Semitism and Anti-Zionism: Securing Jewish Life in Europe.”

Despite these important steps, the survey shows that there is still much work to be done. Seventy years after the Holocaust, anti-Semitism still looms large in Europe. EU Member States should confront the distressing results of this survey by implementing the measures laid out in the EU Council’s declaration and taking steps to combat Holocaust denial, anti-Zionism and violence against Jews.​

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., Dec. 6, 2018)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
We salute the United States mission to the United Nations, and particularly Ambassador Nikki Haley, for initiating a first-time, explicit U.N. General Assembly (UNGA) repudiation of Hamas, the terrorist group that controls the Gaza Strip, for its culpability in relentless and recently escalated attacks against Israeli civilians from that territory and its reckless exploitation of Palestinians. Although the resolution garnered a plurality of votes, it failed to achieve the two-thirds majority required due to a procedural roadblock. Haley rightly pointed out this roadblock was a clear double standard, as just last week the U.N. General Assembly passed numerous resolutions under the same agenda item attacking Israel with no similar two-thirds majority requirement. Indeed, another resolution — tabled by Ireland — was passed at this same session without any discussion of a need for such a two-thirds majority.
 
The resolution against Hamas was part of ongoing and determined efforts to demand a far more responsible and unbiased U.N. approach to Arab-Israeli issues and is critical to meaningful efforts at actual peacemaking. We commend the 87 countries that supported this manifestly just and common-sense resolution and take note of the 33 countries that declined to support the resolution through their abstention.
 
Despite Hamas’s long history of targeting Israeli civilians with rockets, digging tunnels into Israel and carrying out suicide bombing attacks, this resolution was the first time that the U.N. General Assembly has almost condemned Hamas by name. We are appalled by the numerous ploys the Palestinians and their allies at the U.N. have used to sink this important resolution. The double-standard that was ultimately used to deny a plurality of the U.N. General Assembly passage of this critical resolution clearly shows that anti-Semitism continues to plague the world body. All countries that voted in favor of requiring a two-thirds majority are as complicit in this stain on the U.N.’s reputation as those who ultimately voted against this resolution.
 
The U.N. was founded to work toward global peace and security. Until its member states are able to recognize that the terrorism employed by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other groups in the region is a key factor holding back any attempt at a peaceful resolution of the conflict, the U.N. will continue to wallow in its own irrelevance.
 
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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​(Jerusalem, Dec. 5, 2018)— The B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem and the Committee to Recognize the Heroism of Jews who Rescued Fellow Jews During the Holocaust announced during the Chanukah holiday that they will posthumously honor with their Jewish Rescuers Citation 18 Jewish heroes who risked their own lives to rescue fellow Jews. Seventeen of the honorees are leaders of the Comité de Défence des Juifs en Belgique (CDJ), the joint Jewish/non-Jewish Jewish Defense Committee in Belgium: Abusz Werber, Chaim Perelman, Maurice Heiber, Benjamin Nykerk, Ghert Jospa, Yvonne Jospa, Esta Heiber, Sophie Werber, Fela Perelman, Ida Sterno, Abraham Monastir, Joseph Sterngold, Pauline Trocki, George Livchitz, Leopold Flam, Erna Stern and Israel Tabakman.

The CDJ was established by five disparate Jewish organizations and one non-Jewish organization following the first deportations from Antwerp and Brussels by the Nazis in August 1942. Until then, the different organizations had undertaken independent rescue operations. It operated as an underground resistance group with the purpose of helping Jews – especially children – evade deportation through various illegal methods, mainly hiding, but also the provision of false credentials.

Six of the eight founding members were eventually arrested and deported, and only two of them survived. The Committee was the single largest Jewish clandestine organization in wartime Europe, with 768 activists. It is credited with ensuring the survival of 3,000 Jewish children and as many as 10,000 adults. Some 55 percent of Belgium’s prewar Jewish population of 66,000 (90 percent of them non-citizens) survived the war due to staying hidden, the actions of the committee and the heroism of Belgian non-Jewish rescuers, many of whom have been recognized as Righteous Among the Nations. CDJ assumed the task of conveying the children to new homes and keeping tabs on how they were cared for. This task necessitated a great deal of travel and was therefore the province of non-Jewish women members, who were the least likely to raise the suspicion of the Germans and their Belgian collaborators.

The eighteenth rescuer to be honored with the Jewish Rescuers Citation is Mania Zeidman, who endangered herself to rescue fellow Jews while working in the Ober Altstadt Concentration Camp infirmary in Germany. Zeidman allowed recovering women to remain in the infirmary so that they would not have to face the hardship of work outside that would have surely lead to their death in the harsh conditions. By these actions she endangered herself, earning the wrath of sadistic doctors who beat her often.

More than 200 Jewish rescuers from 14 countries – now including Belgium – ­ have been recognized by the Jewish Rescuers Citation since its inception in 2011 for their demonstration of human and Jewish solidarity, which they demonstrated by endangering their lives to rescue others.

For more information about the Jewish Rescuers Citation, please contact Alan Schneider, director, B’nai B’rith World Center—Jerusalem 02-6251743.

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., Dec. 4, 2018)--When a small group of immigrants founded B’nai B’rith in mid-19th century New York, they could not have known that their organization would one day have thousands of members around the world. B’nai B’rith was created in a saloon by German-speaking Jews, just three years after the arrival of the first ordained rabbi in New York. Despite the divided nature of the New York Jewish community, marked by rivalries between different immigrant groups, B’nai B’rith always aimed to be inclusive. Kenneth Ackerman explores the organization’s origins in his feature, “How an Immigrant Saloon of 1840s New York Gave Birth to B’nai B’rith.”
 
Although Jews are not commonly associated with the Wild West, many Jewish pioneers thrived in mining boomtowns. There were Jewish politicians, merchants, landowners and lawmen. Cheryl Kempler explores this unique time in Jewish history, where there was so little overt anti-Semitism that some Jews joined gentile organizations, while others founded B’nai B’rith lodges.
 
In “A Fresh Look at Tu B’Shevat,” Paula Shoyer delves into the changing significance of the holiday, which has historically been linked to Zionism. Now, Tu B’Shevat is taking on added significance as a day to promote environmentalism and connection to the Earth. Tu B’Shevat Seders, long held only by Sephardic Jews, have exploded in popularity amongst Jews of all types. There are even multiple Tu B’Shevat Haggadahs available online.
 
B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman details his priorities for the coming year, including the creation of a Mental Health Action group to bolster our support for seniors and continuing to advocate for Israel at the United Nations. The organization will also launch the B’nai B’rith Barristers program that will provide opportunities for lawyers to network.
 
B’nai B’rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin’s column focuses on the connection throughout history between the Greek and Jewish communities, starting with the possibility that ancient Sparta had contact with the people of Israel in the third century B.C.E. As Israel’s relationship with the country has improved, B’nai B’rith organized two high-level leadership missions to Greece, Cyprus and Israel in conjunction with two Greek-American organizations. B’nai B’rith Greece also hosted a conference exploring the link between Sparta and Israel.
 
Did you know Iceland has a tiny Jewish community? In “A Mostly Warm Reception for Jews in Sub-Arctic Iceland,” Jennifer Lovy explores Jewish life in the island nation. Many Jews there are transplants from the United States or Europe, but the country now has a permanent rabbi and Chabad center.
 
Maayan Hoffman writes about the gourmet food scene in the Galilee, a major agricultural hub in the State of Israel. Israel Initiative 2020, a non-governmental organization working to burnish Israel’s reputation as an economically vibrant “Start-Up Nation,” is attempting to revitalize the region by making it a center of food- and agri-tech. The Galilee’s unique climate makes it possible for 70 percent of all types of crops to grow there.
 
To read these stories and more, click 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

(Washington, D.C., Dec. 3, 2018)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:   
 
B’nai B’rith International welcomes the European Union’s (EU) indication that it may deny future support to an annual United Nations General Assembly resolution on Jerusalem if it continues to refer to the Temple Mount, Judaism’s single holiest site, only by its Arabic, Islamic name.
 
Every year, coinciding with the U.N.’s International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, U.N. member states vote on multiple anti-Israel resolutions. Among other objectionable content, some of the resolutions effectively deny the historical Jewish connection to foremost holy sites in Jerusalem. This year, as in the past, many European states supported several of these motions.
 
In a statement at the General Assembly, the EU warned that, beginning next year, it would no longer tolerate resolutions referring to the Temple Mount solely as al-Haram al-Sharif, the site’s Muslim name. The statement said, “The EU stresses the need for language on the holy sites of Jerusalem to reflect the importance and historical significance of the holy sites for the three monotheistic religions, and to respect religious and cultural sensitivities.”
 
All biased, overtly politicized resolutions at the United Nations deserve to be rejected on their merits, but the EU’s admonition is an important step in the right direction. It must be followed through upon and reiterated, not only by European governments but by all responsible countries, also within other international bodies such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which Palestinians have increasingly exploited to deny Jews’ connection to, and rights in, their ancestral homeland and its capital. This whitewashing of historical truth is a profound affront to Jews, Christians and all people of goodwill, and an added impediment to reconciliation and coexistence.
 
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