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Dr. Timothy L. Killeen
President The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Dear Dr. Killeen, I am absolutely appalled to learn that Jewish students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have endured a shameful increase in anti-Semitism activity, including anti-Zionism. Officials there must step in immediately and halt these acts of hatred. This campus enjoys a rich history of Jewish life and has experienced a large and robust Jewish enrollment for decades. This is personal to B’nai B’rith International as we founded the very first Hillel in the world at your campus in 1923. What has happened in the last five years? Swastikas found on campus? Vandalism at Jewish centers? Ritual items damaged or worse? Israel is not just a fashionable political topic, its existence subject to debate. To Jews, Israel is the undeniable eternal homeland of the Jewish people, a focus of daily prayer for millennia. The culprits behind this campaign have the same mindset of people who create false narratives around the world about Jewish connections to the Western Wall in Jerusalem and a myriad of archeological findings, which date back to well before the First and Second Temple eras, thousands of years. This matter is not one to be bounced around a conference table or debated in some political science class. Hate speech is not free speech when the result is an assault on student’s ability to pursue and excel in academic subjects or to think freely. Israel is a democracy. It is under healthy scrutiny that occurs in any democracy. This matter doesn’t end with an “accrediting organization” saying the allegations “do not indicate substantive noncompliance.” Nonsense. Take charge of this situation. We have witnessed thousands of years of lies, today’s blood libels, and vandalism. Step in and stand up to this hatred. End this sickening scapegoating. Is the University of Illinois an academic institution or simply a cluster of buildings reduced to a playground of cancel culture? Solve this problem or the light of this once great university will be dimmed like a flickering bulb. Sincerely, Charles Kaufman President, B’nai B’rith International (Washington, D.C., Oct. 22, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
As the voting at the World Zionist Congress gets underway, we reaffirm our focus on the sovereignty and security of Israel. In the spirit of the unity for the Jewish people that we seek, B’nai B’rith supports the coalition agreement that has been announced at the World Zionist Congress. We are a long-time neutral, non-partisan party at the World Zionist Organization. We send our delegates not to deal with partisan issues, but to secure a Jewish homeland. We want to make sure there is a place in the world for every Jew in the Diaspora and in our eternal and biblical homeland. Our position is to work for the unity of the parties, not to choose sides or leverage private agenda issues. B’nai B’rith International speaks for itself and has done so since our founding in 1843 and since we established a presence in Israel in 1888. That was nine years before Theodor Herzl convened the first Zionist Congress in Basel. B’nai B’rith established the “Midrash Abarbanel,” Israel’s first permanent public library. Our commitment, independence and overarching focus live through such early B’nai B’rith leaders and Zionist pioneers as Eliezer Ben-Yehuda, the father of the modern Hebrew language. It is not about partisanship or divisiveness. Neutrality is personal for us. We stand for unity in Israel. 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., Oct. 21, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
B'nai B'rith International condemns a dangerous choice by the University of Hawaii to host an event with convicted Palestinian terrorist Leila Khaled. We sent a letter to University President David Lassner expressing our deep concerns. Khaled, who is no mere spokesperson for the Palestinian cause, has been banned from entering the U.S. because of her involvement in a series of plane hijackings in the 1960s and 1970s. "She was armed and clearly willing to bring down planes, and their hundreds of passengers with them," we wrote in our letter. "That both her hijackings did not result in mass causalities was sheer luck." We continue: "We ask you, would the 9/11 hijackers be welcomed at the University of Hawaii?" Further, we note in the letter: "Do would-be or actual killers and assassins have anything fundamentally positive to teach students? If you are not able to draw that line, something is terribly askew in how your University sees the very basic definition of morality and the sharing of 'difficult ideas.'” To read the letter, 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., Oct. 16, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
B'nai B'rith condemns the United Nations Security Council's failure to extend a critical 13-year-old arms embargo on Iran. The U.N. arms embargo is set to expire Oct. 18, which would once again allow the rogue regime to purchase missiles and other weapons from, and provide them to, other malign actors. We call upon the Council to act immediately to reimpose the embargo on Iran – the world’s leading state-sponsor of terrorism – to prevent the further destabilization of the Middle East by Tehran and its proxies, particularly Hezbollah. (Washington, D.C., Oct. 12, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
B'nai B'rith welcomes Facebook’s decision to ban any content that denies or distorts the existence of the Holocaust. This long-overdue action will be crucial in the ongoing fight against anti-Semitism on the platform and across the globe. We urge Facebook to ensure enforcement of its own new policy. B’nai B’rith has long been active on a task force convened by Facebook to address issues of anti-Semitism and anti-Israel bias on the social media platform. The prevalence and pervasiveness of Holocaust denying sites on the platform has been an important part of our conversations with Facebook leaders. With global anti-Semitism on the rise, we look forward to seeing the social media giant use its power for good. We urge other social media platforms to review their policies and adhere to their own stated guidelines regarding intolerance for hate speech. (Washington, D.C., Oct. 3, 2020)--B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
We are deeply saddened by the loss of our dear friend and colleague Ambassador Richard Schifter, the AJIRI (American Jewish International Relations Institute) chairman of the board of directors. Ambassador Schifter was an inspirational leader, accomplished diplomat, public servant, staunch advocate for human rights, a resolute defender of Israel, a strong proponent of trans-Atlantic relations and of America’s place in the world. Notwithstanding his immense achievements, Ambassador Schifter’s persona was one of humility and civility. He was a great friend of B’nai B’rith, working with us for more than a decade on issues impacting Israel at the United Nations. We are proud to have honored him twice, most recently in April of 2018. Most important to him was his love for his devoted family. In September, we announced that AJIRI joined B’nai B’rith, formalizing the close working relationship between the two groups. AJIRI-BBI, as the new institute will initially be known, will continue to advance the groundbreaking work both organizations have undertaken separately in the realm of fair treatment for Israel on the world stage. The loss of his sage presence will be felt by all who knew him. May his memory always be for a blessing. (Washington, D.C., Sept. 21, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
B'nai B'rith is pleased with the Trump administration's imposition of sanctions on Iran, which would punish any company or person that violates a conventional arms embargo on Iran. This action comes a month after the United Nations Security Council’s shameful failure to extend its own arms sanctions on Iran. The proposed U.S. action would work toward stopping Tehran – a rogue regime that continually threatens peace for the entirety of the Middle East and beyond – from becoming an even greater global security threat. (Washington, D.C., Sept. 18, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
We are deeply saddened by the death of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, the first Jewish woman and only the second woman to serve on the nation’s highest court. The announcement of her death as the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah, began, seems especially poignant. She was a giant of the Supreme Court, a champion to many women and others as a strong, progressive voice on the court with a trailblazing judicial presence. She was courageous in her many battles against cancer. Ginsburg spoke at a B'nai B'rith International convention about "Jewish Justices on the Supreme Court." Her unique and esteemed, groundbreaking career was often informed and influenced by her Judaism. JTA notes: “She was also frank about the importance of Jewish tradition in influencing her life and career, hanging the Hebrew injunction to pursue justice on the walls of her Supreme Court chambers.” With a strong sense of fairness, a respect for knowledge and education and an incredible work ethic, Ginsburg was an inspiration to us. May her memory be a blessing.  Photo Credit: Noah Berger (Washington, D.C., Sept. 16, 2020)--B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
B’nai B’rith is opening its Disaster Relief Fund to aid those impacted by the catastrophic wildfires in the West and those who are feeling the wrath of Hurricane Sally across Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and the Florida panhandle. At least 30 people have died from the wildfires, which are raging in California, Oregon and Washington State, and many more are missing. Though Hurricane Sally’s impact cannot yet be stated, it’s known that it has brought major flooding across the Gulf Coast, which has already been battered by hurricanes this season. The B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund will match the first $5,000 of donations. We will work with local groups in affected areas to determine possible projects that need our support. B’nai B’rith began its disaster relief program of helping communities in distress in 1865, with a fundraising drive to aid victims of a cholera outbreak in pre-state Israel. Since then, B’nai B’rith has helped countless people across the globe who have faced adversity after natural and man-made disasters. Please click here to make a contribution to the fund. Donors can also call (800) 573-9057 to make a credit card contribution over the phone and send payable checks to the following address: B’nai B’rith International Disaster Relief Fund 1120 20th St. NW, Suite 300 N Washington, DC, 20036 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 bnaibrith.org.
Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump all participated in the signing of the Accords.
B'nai B'rith President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin were present on the South Lawn for the historic signing. “What we witnessed was something beyond anyone’s imagination just a few years ago,” Kaufman said. “The historic signing of the Abraham Accords and treaties was less about hope and promise and more about reality and what is happening in real time. It is more about creating real opportunities, advancements, innovations, not some platform for mere dreams and aspirations. Finally, promises and failures of the past gave way to a far better option — trusting, respecting parties developing a specific plan for prosperity, security and peace. Today was an unforgettable day of accomplishment.” “Today marked a tremendous turning point in the history of Israel and the Jewish people, and in the Middle East,” Mariaschin said. “The signing of the Abraham Accords, and the agreements between Israel and the UAE, and Israel and Bahrain demonstrate that peace can be achieved when there is the good will to achieve it. We congratulate President Trump for hosting this historic signing, and the leaders of Israel, the UAE and Bahrain for taking these important steps together.” 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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