(Washington, D.C., Feb. 11, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
We call on the House leadership to publicly rebuke Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minnesota) for her anti-Semitic tweets implying pro-Israel lawmakers are paid by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
 
Members of Congress are pro-Israel because the constituents they represent, like Americans across the country, overwhelmingly support the Jewish state.   
 
Omar, in a tweet responding to far-left journalist Glenn Greenwald, wrote “It’s all about the Benjamins baby” in reference to Republican House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-California)’s stated intent to censure both Omar and controversial lawmaker Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Michigan), who has also made anti-Israel comments.
 
When Batya Ungar-Sargon, the opinion editor for the Jewish newspaper The Forward, responded that she “would love to know who [Omar] thinks is paying American politicians to be pro-Israel” and accused Omar of tweeting an “anti-Semitic trope,” Omar responded not with an apology but by tweeting “AIPAC!”
 
Trafficking in the worst sort of anti-Semitic canards has become Omar’s stock in trade. As a supporter of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, she has already shown her willingness to subject Israel to a behavioral double standard that she does not apply to any other country. Instead of recognizing that most Americans are pro-Israel due to their own deeply held values, she accuses them of being bribed or hypnotized into disagreeing with her; in 2012, Omar tweeted “Israel has hypnotized the world, may Allah awaken the people and help them see the evil doings of Israel.”
 
Her anti-Israel stance is merely political cover for her anti-Semitic beliefs.
 
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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Current European anti-Semitism poses “the greatest threat that has faced the Jewish community at any point since World War II.”
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(Washington, D.C., Feb. 7, 2019)--B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin gave opening remarks at a conference focused on anti-Semitism in Europe, held under the auspices of the Romanian presidency of the European Union (EU) Council. We are encouraged that the Romanian presidency has chosen to prioritize combating anti-Semitism by holding this conference.
 
Mariaschin's speech confronted modern European anti-Semitism, including anti-Zionism, directly: "Here in Europe, the continent that experienced the Holocaust, the legacy of that historical episode figures somehow in the psychological calculus that has produced the burgeoning anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiment so pervasive in Europe today.  Add to this combustible mix Europe's historical predilection toward anti-Semitism, and what results is the ugliness that has tarnished European society for much of the past 20 years and posed the greatest threat that has faced the Jewish community at any point since World War II....The obligation to confront anti-Semitism - and to make clear that the demonization and delegitimization of the Jewish state is often none other than a pretext for the hatred of Jews themselves - falls on all of us."
 
 The conference, entitled "The Fight Against Antisemitism: A Common Approach to Better Protect Jewish Communities in Europe - From Policy to Action," also included speakers from the European Parliament, the Romanian government and Jewish organizations. It followed another conference on anti-Semitism held in November 2018 by the Austrian presidency of the EU Council.
 
 In addition to Mariaschin, Serge Dahan, the president of B'nai B'rith Europe; Stephane Teicher, B'nai B'rith International Senior vice president and representative to UNESCO; Jose Jacobescu, president of B'nai B'rith Romania; Andre Ouzana, B'nai B'rith Europe treasurer (France); Valerie Achache, B'nai B'rith Europe General Secretary (France); Gunnar Bjork, B'nai B'rith Europe executive committee (Denmark); Hannah Kamelson, B'nai B'rith Europe director; and Ben Naegele, B'nai B'rith International's Director of EU Affairs participated in the conference.
 
For more information about the conference, click here. For Mariaschin’s full speech, click here. For video of the speech, click here. Mariaschin's speech starts at 11 hours 20 minutes. 
 
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., Feb. 7, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
We laud Tuesday’s overwhelmingly bipartisan Senate passage of the anti-BDS provision of the Strengthening America’s Security in the Middle East Act, sponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Florida) and Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia). The act is a package of bills relating to Middle East policy, including an anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) bill. Speaker Nancy Pelosi should bring this bill to a vote in the House as soon as possible.
 
The bipartisan measure would also enhance security cooperation between the U.S. and Jordan, strengthen sanctions against Syria and reauthorize military aid to Israel. It passed 77-23.
 
The bill affirms the right of state governments to exclusively do business with companies that do not boycott the State of Israel. Even before the bill was passed, similar local anti-BDS bills had already been enacted in 26 states.
 
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., Feb. 6, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:

It is difficult to discuss any issues today without addressing the utter breakdown in bipartisanship among our elected officials. We welcome President Donald J. Trump’s attention during his State of the Union address to the issue of compromise. We cannot focus on our most important concerns, nor hope to achieve successes, without a significant measure of cross-party support. We are deeply disappointed in the collapse of bipartisan agreement on issues big and small.

B’nai B’rith is committed to a peaceful and secure existence for the State of Israel, and by and large, Congress and the White House have agreed that supporting Israel, the only democracy in the Middle East, is vital to stability in the region. We are encouraged that the president expressed his support for the longstanding U.S.-Israel alliance and highlighted the 2018 move of the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem, Israel’s rightful capital.  We remain deeply concerned about Iran’s hegemonic tendencies in the Middle East and the existential threat it poses to Israel. We welcome the president’s forceful commitment to keep Iran and the threat it poses globally in check.

We appreciate the special attention given during the address to the frightening rise of anti-Semitism in the U.S. with the inclusion of Pittsburgh Tree of Life synagogue shooting survivors Judah Samet and injured police officer Timothy Matson as special White House guests in the House gallery.

B’nai B’rith is committed to comprehensive immigration reform, which, of course, has become one of the most contentious issues of our time. While we support the need for border security, we continue to be committed to a compassionate and legal immigration system.

In June, B’nai B’rith wrote to the attorney general to express our deep concern with the administration’s immigration policy. In our letter, we noted: “The American Jewish community well understands the plight of immigrants fleeing violence and oppression in hope of a better life. We believe that how the United States treats its newest arrivals reflects on the values and ideals of our country.”  We also noted: “Founded by immigrants to the U.S. fleeing persecution abroad, B’nai B’rith sympathizes with new immigrants to our country and the many struggles they face. We are therefore committed to a compassionate immigration system that reflects the crucial values of family unity and justice.”

We had hoped for a greater focus on the health and housing needs of low-income seniors. As the largest national Jewish sponsor of low income, nonsectarian housing for seniors, we are committed to all aspects of healthy aging. We hope the White House and Congress will focus resources on lowering prescription drug prices and providing more affordable housing for seniors of limited means. Currently, too many seniors are forced to self-ration prescribed medications because they just cannot afford what their medical care team says they need to maintain their health, and we welcome the president’s commitment to bipartisan efforts to address the high cost of prescription drugs. The waiting list for affordable apartments for seniors of limited means is years-long. Any discussion of investments in infrastructure should include bipartisan commitment for more senior housing.
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The recent partial government shutdown proved just how vital government services are to our nation’s economy and its moral fabric. As we approach another funding deadline, we hope the parties will pause to consider the collateral damage extreme partisanship has on the American people and opt for compromise.

(Washington, D.C., Feb. 5, 2019)— B’nai B’rith International welcomes the appointment of Elan Carr as the new U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism.
 
As envoy, Carr will focus the department's efforts to monitor anti-Semitic hate crimes and work with foreign governments on confronting anti-Semitic movements and individuals who carry out acts of hate against Jewish communities outside the United States.
 
B’nai B’rith has long emphasized the importance of having an anti-Semitism envoy and advocated for the long-vacant position to be filled. In January, B’nai B’rith CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin argued in an op-ed that the world looks to America for leadership in combating anti-Semitism, and appointing an envoy would broadcast a strong message to the world. In 2017, Mariaschin wrote another op-ed arguing against the elimination of the special envoy position altogether.
 
Mariaschin, along with B’nai B’rith President Charles O. Kaufman, said: “Elan Carr is an outstanding choice for the Special Envoy’s position.  His legal and law enforcement background, and his longtime involvement in the Jewish community will serve him well in calling out anti-Semitism, especially in view of its dramatic proliferation globally.”
 
Carr, a special victim prosecutor in Los Angeles, was formerly the president of international Jewish fraternity Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi) and has served on the National Council of AIPAC. He is a longtime friend of B’nai B’rith and of the Jewish community at large.
 
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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B’nai B’rith International will award the annual Sally R. Schneider Scholarship to a deserving Jewish female graduate student in the spring of 2019. Applications are now being accepted.
 
Sally Schneider, born in Brooklyn in 1919, was a voracious reader and a passionate supporter of Israel who felt strongly that women should be independent and educated. She and her husband, George, were longtime B’nai B’rith members. In 1998, after Sally’s death, the family set up an endowment fund in her name.
 
This scholarship, of approximately $1,000, will be awarded to an individual from among the applicants meeting the following qualifications: 
 
1) A deserving Jewish female graduate student; 2) In the metropolitan New York area; 3) Currently enrolled in and attending a graduate program (by Jan. 31, 2019) in a field benefiting humankind, including, but not limited to medicine, medical research, education, social work, psychology, chiropractic medicine, nursing or public health; and 4) The candidate should demonstrate an involvement or interest in Jewish culture.
 
To apply, please submit a statement (no more than two pages, typed and double-spaced, including home address and email) indicating your qualifications for this scholarship to Marna Schoen: mschoen@bnaibrith.org. For questions, please call 202-857-6512.
 
Applications must be received by March 1, 2019.
 
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., Jan. 28, 2019)--B’nai B’rith International and the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations hosted a joint event entitled, “India: A Distant Haven During the Holocaust” on Jan. 28 at the headquarters of the world body in New York. The event, commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day, featured Dr. Kenneth Robbins, an expert on the Indian Jewish community, and Stephen Tauber, a Holocaust survivor whose family fled from Austria to India. Indian Ambassador Syed Akbaruddin and B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman gave opening remarks. CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin introduced Robbins and Tauber.  
 
The two guest speakers discussed Jews in India on both a macro and a personal level. Robbins spoke about minorities’ contribution to Indian society, and India’s history of religious tolerance. He also outlined the movement of Jews to India during different periods of history.  
 
Tauber told a more personal story of his own family, which left Vienna and traveled to India on an Italian ship. His family worked to maintain its Jewish traditions in a tiny community. In 1941, the family settled permanently in the United States.
 
“Ken is a font of knowledge about India, and particularly the intersections between Indians and Jews… Ken’s work epitomizes the phrase ‘labor of love,’” Mariaschin said, praising Robbins. Mariaschin addressed Tauber by expressing his thanks “for your presence, for your story – and that you and your family were fortunate to find rescue in India and ultimately a new life here in the United States.”  
 
In his remarks, Kaufman emphasized the U.N’s role in fighting hatred and violence. "Although the U.N. does not always live up to its original promise, that promise remains and so does our commitment to see it realized. This is particularly so as anti-Semitism, other forms of hatred and even mass atrocities persist on our planet. Even worse, anti-Semitism persists as Holocaust-denial,  that grave injustice, only stands to intensify as more time following World War II passes and we lose more of the survivors, the first-hand witnesses to the unthinkable crimes of the Nazis. And as memory fades, so do lessons – which is something that our world cannot afford."
 
B’nai B’rith, distinguished for its exceptional role at the United Nations since the body’s very founding, has annually marked International Holocaust Remembrance Day and maintained longstanding ties to India. B’nai B’rith leaders have visited the country, met with senior Indian government and other officials, dispatched humanitarian aid in India during periods of emergency and sponsored a traveling exhibition on intercommunal coexistence in the Indian city of Cochin (Kochi).

​To view an archived video of the event, 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., Jan. 25, 2019)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement:  
 
We strongly condemn yesterday’s passage of the Control of Economic Activity bill, commonly referred to as the Occupied Territories bill, by the Irish parliament. The bill would punish importing or selling products from the West Bank with up to five years of jail time and fines. The penalties would also apply to foreign companies with divisions or subsidiaries in Ireland. In order for it to become law, it will have to win approval in committee.
 
The bill is a clear-cut example of a double standard applied to Israel. By unfairly singling Israel out, Ireland’s lawmakers are caving to the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, which ignores atrocities around the world while demonizing the world’s only Jewish state. Rather than taking it upon themselves to prejudge the outcome of a negotiation between Israel and the Palestinians, the Irish parliament would do well to criticize real human rights violations around the world.
 
Immediately, the Israeli government condemned the bill’s passage and summoned Ireland’s ambassador for an official reprimand. For different reasons, the Irish government also opposed the bill’s passage. Its opposition was based on the advice of the Attorney General, which deemed it a violation of European Union law that would result in heavy fines for Ireland.
 
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. 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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