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(Washington, D.C., March 23, 2020)-- B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:
We commend the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the coronavirus aid bill that will shortly be signed into law. The bill provides relief for groups in need, including seniors, who are especially vulnerable to the virus. It also helps small businesses and nonprofits by making zero-interest loans available to them. The CARES Act just passed the House of Representatives, and the president has pledged to sign it immediately. The act provides funding for Section 202 affordable housing for seniors. As the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income, nonsectarian housing for seniors in the United States, B’nai B’rith was pleased to see Congress recognize the need to appropriate financial resources for senior housing in response to the COVID-19 crisis. Costs for Section 202 buildings will likely rise because of the pandemic. We are encouraged by the additional money for Section 202 and service coordinators and hope this legislation will appropriately benefit senior housing residents. We also support the bill’s provisions to help small businesses and nonprofits, including the allocation of $350 million for loans, some of which could be forgiven. Small businesses that maintain payroll will be eligible for assistance to cover essentials like mortgage, utilities or rent. 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., March 26, 2020)— Israel is at the forefront of innovative research and treatment when it comes to coronavirus. Yoel HarEven, the director of the international division and resource development at Sheba Medical Center in Israel, joins CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin on the B’nai B’rith International Podcast for a discussion on the coronavirus response at his hospital, in Israel more broadly, and the sharing of best practices around the world.
“It’s a war. We need to act [as if] in wartime. It’s like missiles in Gaza, but different in that we cannot see the enemy right now,” HarEven said of the epidemic. Sheba Medical Center is the largest hospital in Israel. Hospital staff are taking many precautions, some undergo thrice-daily temperature and vitals checks in the face of the large influx of patients each day. They wear face masks most of the day and have stepped up their already-stringent hygiene practices, especially handwashing. For patient safety, the hospital is creating special isolation units underground to separate those suffering from coronavirus from the general population, and hospital doctors are practicing telemedicine when possible so that patients can remain in their homes. Click here to listen to the latest episode of the B’nai B’rith International Podcast. 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. As the COVID-19 outbreak shows no signs of letting up, staff members of the B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services (CSS) are working tirelessly to support seniors at the local and national levels. In addition to providing assistance to the on-site staff and residents of our network of senior living facilities across the country, CSS is working with members of Congress to ensure that seniors are cared for during this uncertain time.
B’nai B’rith is the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income, nonsectarian housing for seniors in the United States. Members of the CSS staff are in constant contact with our housing network through frequent emails and weekly conference calls. To ensure that residents and building staff were knowledgeable of safety precautions, CSS facilitated a COVID-19 best practices session for the entire network and keeps the network abreast of the latest updates from the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention via email. We have reached out to congressional offices to advocate for more funding for the Section 202 program, which supports affordable housing for seniors, and for service coordinators, a critical part of that program. While it is impossible to predict the future, it is likely that administrative costs will go up for many Section 202 buildings. Adhering to public health guidelines and providing needed support for seniors can be expensive, especially if residents of a building enter quarantine. We hope and expect that Congress will realize the necessity of extra funds for the Section 202 program. Resources: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued guidance for Federally-Assisted Housing. Preventing the Spread of COVID-19 in Retirement Communities and Independent Living Facilities (Interim Guidance) Department of Housing and Urban Development Q@A Questions and Answers for Office of Multifamily Housing Stakeholders In our letter of congratulations to Luis Almagro Lemes on his re-election as secretary general of the Organization of American States, we note: “With a membership that includes 20 countries in Latin America, B'nai B'rith is keenly aware of the challenges facing the region. We recognize your extraordinary leadership and focused agenda on issues of discrimination, multi-dimensional security, and combating poverty and social unrest.”
The letter, from B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, can be found here. (Washington, D.C., March 19, 2020)--B’nai B’rith is launching a global coronavirus emergency fund with a $10,000 allocation from its existing Disaster Relief Fund, to be used in conjunction with a new emergency campaign. There are more than 200,000 cases of COVID-19 around the world at this time, and it is rapidly spreading.
The funds we raise will go to international assistance to help struggling communities around the world. As an international organization, we will work with our members and supporters across the globe to determine the most urgent needs and best meet them. Since 1865, B’nai B’rith has helped countless people across the globe who have faced adversity from natural and man-made disasters. Click here to donate to the B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund and help with our coronavirus response. Donors can also call 800-573-9057 to make a credit card contribution over the phone. Or 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 300N Washington, D.C. 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 www.bnaibrith.org. (Washington, D.C., March 18, 2020)--The coronavirus is being used as an excuse by some to spread anti-Semitism around the world. B’nai B’rith Deputy Director of the International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy Eric Fusfield joined the B’nai B’rith International Podcast for a discussion on coronavirus and anti-Semitism in this uncertain time. In a conversation hosted by CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, Fusfield delved into the anti-Semitic conspiracy theories surrounding coronavirus.
These conspiracies blame Jews and Israel for creating and spreading coronavirus. Mariaschin and Fusfield consider the theories to be a new form of blood libel that is part of a long historical chain. Blood libel conspiracies have been part of Jewish history in medieval Europe, 19th century Damascus, 20th century tsarist Russia and many other places. “This is an illustration of how resilient and how adaptable anti-Semitism is. Anti-Semitism is a virus of its own. It’s a social virus, and it’s an aggressive one, and it’s a portable one,” Fusfield said. “It has shifted almost seamlessly into the Islamic world today - parts of the Islamic world - and other areas of the modern world. In the case of Iran, the groundwork has already been laid. Iran, for a while, has been mainstreaming the blood libel as an accepted idea in that country.” However, the flow of disinformation surrounding coronavirus, as well as anti-Semitism more generally, are not just from hostile governments like Iran’s theocratic regime. Actress Rosanna Arquette, in a since-deleted tweet, asserted that the Israeli government knew about coronavirus in advance and was seeking to profit by developing a vaccine first. Fusfield argues that anti-Semitism from public figures must be confronted head-on: “Whether it’s musicians, or Hollywood stars, or public officials, you need to call them out.” Click here to listen to the latest episode of the B’nai B’rith International Podcast. 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. Dear friends,
The COVID-19 pandemic is forcing us all to rethink how we interact with the world around us. B’nai B’rith International takes pride in being a people-first organization and putting our core values at the center of every decision we make. Our top priority is the safety of our team members and the communities we serve. Though our staff around the world has transitioned to teleworking, we are still committed to working with our partners at the local, national and international levels during these challenging and uncertain times. With our long history of advocating for seniors, we are paying particular attention to the impact of the coronavirus on older people. Our staff at our Center for Senior Services is working closely with all of our non-sectarian housing buildings to ensure safe practices are implemented and to mitigate the impact of this forced social isolation. Social distancing doesn’t apply to the internet, so we will be enhancing our digital and virtual offerings in the near term. Please visit our website and social media platforms for information in the coming weeks. Our important work won’t stop. We look forward to staying connected and seeing you soon. Wishing you good health… Former Surrogate Promoted Terrorist Organization, Called Zionism “Racist”
(Washington, D.C., March 10, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement: We call on presidential candidate Bernie Sanders to terminate his campaign’s relationship with Phillip Agnew, who was named this week as a senior adviser to the Sanders camp. Agnew’s activist organization, Dream Defenders, has promoted to children the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), which has been a U.S.-designated terrorist organization since 1997. He called Zionism “racist, exploitative and exclusionary” in a 2015 interview with Ebony Magazine and is a proponent of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Agnew’s so-called “rebellion curriculum,” which is aimed at children in 6th to 11th grade, refers to Israel as “occupied Palestine” and speaks approvingly of the goals of creating a communist party and liberating “Palestine.” He participated in a trip to Israel that included meetings with Omar Barghouti, the founder of BDS, and a former spokesperson for the Palestine Liberation Organization. It is unacceptable that someone with this history of anti-Semitic and pro-terrorism statements was given a role on any presidential campaign. In his statement naming Agnew as an adviser, Sanders noted Agnew’s expertise on race and inequity. It is possible to address social inequity in this country without espousing anti-Israel vitriol. 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 (Plantation, Florida, March 3, 2020)--The B’nai B’rith Justice Unit of South Florida highlighted a stellar year of Judge Ronald J. Rothschild and installed as its new president David J. Berkowitz at an installation brunch on March 2.
Rothschild was deinstalled by his father, Judge Michael Rothschild, a past Justice Unit president. He also reviewed a year of great achievements. Among highlighted events were: A program discussing stolen art from the Holocaust, the showing of the movie "And Then They Came for Us," and a Mentoring Day for budding lawyers. David Berkowitz is the latest generation of the Berkowitz family in B'nai B'rith. His father, Maurice, was a founder and president of the Justice Unit. Ian Berkowitz introduced his brother and presented David Berkowitz with his president's pin. "It is truly an honor to lead an organization of men and women guided by a mindset to do good in the world – to bring justice, tempered with mercy – by using their knowledge, legal skills and sound judgment to help individuals, and therefore benefit society as a whole," Berkowitz said. B'nai B'rith International President Charles O. Kaufman discussed the impact B’nai B’rith is having in its efforts as a non-governmental organization at the United Nations and its agencies. Even in an increasingly troubled world, slight accommodations toward Israel are being realized as the Jewish state's image is changing as an economic partner with countries around the world, he said. Yet, 72 years of lying in the face of an enemy’s economic progress has a way of unearthing certain truths. Countries who’ve voted for anti-Israel measures are suddenly seeing reality. Israel is building allies by partnering with adversaries economically, technologically, medically, in hydrology and in so many other ways. Kaufman announced the appointment of Ian Berkowitz as a member of the B'nai B'rith Foundation of the United States board of directors. Later in the day, Kaufman visited the B'nai B'rith Apartments of Deerfield Beach that house 300 seniors and met with long-time B'nai B'rith leaders who'd retired to the area. The Bershad/B’nai B’rith College Scholarship Committee will award four scholarships to college-bound high school seniors in the spring of 2020. Applications are now being accepted.
Michael Bershad established the Bershad Scholarship Fund in memory of his wife, Florence and to help students who needed assistance to obtain a college education. Michael’s family did not have the funds to send Michael to college. Upon his passing, his family added his name to the scholarship fund in his memory These $80,000 scholarships, which are distributed in annual amounts of $20,000, will be awarded to four individuals from among the applicants meeting the following qualifications:
Click here for the application. Applications must be received by April 1, 2020. 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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