Massachusetts Suffragan Bishop Apologizes for Airing Libels Against Israel

In July, at the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in the United States, Suffragan Bishop Gayle Harris of the denomination’s Massachusetts diocese publicly asserted having seen Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers commit atrocities against Palestinians. Harris claimed that IDF soldiers killed a teenager by shooting him ten times, and handcuffed a 3-year-old boy whose ball fell over the Western Wall in Jerusalem.
 
The allegations were made during debate over a litany of anti-Israel resolutions considered at the Episcopal convention.
 
On Aug. 17, Harris expressed remorse for her comments, writing: “After reviewing my words in the House of Bishops from a transcription, I now acknowledge that I reported stories which I had heard and unintentionally framed them as though I had personally witnessed the alleged events. I sincerely apologize. I now understand how the framing of my words could and did give the wrong impression … I was ill-advised to repeat the stories without verification, and I apologize for doing so.”
 
Tragically for interfaith relations in the U.S. and elsewhere — and for genuine peacemaking in the Middle East — a wildly disproportionate and singularly hostile focus on badmouthing and sometimes even boycotting Israelis, or those deemed to be inappropriately engaged with them, has become commonplace in a number of mainline Protestant and other denominations.
 
Massachusetts Bishop Alan M. Gates, in affirming Harris’s apology, said, “We recognize that for Christian leaders to relate unsubstantiated accounts of Israeli violence awakens traumatic memory of a deep history of inciting hostility and violence against Jews — a history the echoes of which are heard alarmingly in our own day. We grieve damage done to our relationships with Jewish friends and colleagues in Massachusetts, and rededicate ourselves to those partnerships, in which we are grateful to face complexities together.” His sentiments are appropriate.
                                                 
Discrimination, stridency and falsehood have no place in a healthy Christian-Jewish relationship and in pursuing a fair, lasting and comprehensive Middle East peace. It is long past due to end the maligning of the world’s only Jewish state and the Middle East’s only democracy, not least in religious institutions entrusted with particular moral authority.  

​In a tumultuous year marked by too many instances of intolerance, we again vehemently condemn the white supremacist and neo-Nazi-backed sentiments and subsequent death and other violence that rocked Charlottesville, Virginia on Aug. 12 last year during the “Unite the Right” rally. We further deplore the “Unite the Right” rally scheduled for Washington, D.C. this Sunday.
 
That original rally (and now the anniversary shows-of-support for it), are pathetic tools of extremists to intimidate and undermine our democratic values. As a nation, we cannot let our principles be compromised by the fringe. We urge others to publicly reject divisiveness and intolerance. 

​B’nai B’rith International is outraged by the Hamas rocket barrage against Israel and we stand in solidarity with the Jewish state after Hamas launched more than 150 rockets and mortar shells at Israeli neighborhoods.
 
According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus seven people were injured. Residents of Sderot and neighboring communities must race to bomb shelters and countless are traumatized by these ongoing attacks. Israelis live by a 15 second clock — the maximum amount of time between a defense siren warning of an attack and the rockets actually falling.  
 
B’nai B’rith urges the international community to unequivocally condemn Hamas.
 
Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip well over a decade ago — only to be subjected to indiscriminate terror from Hamas terrorists ruling Gaza. Israel has a fundamental right and obligation to defend its civilians and its borders, and it has done so with exceptional care and restraint. The time is now for the international community to condemn these terror attacks on a sovereign nation.  

​B’nai B’rith welcomes the White House’s reinstatement of sanctions against Iran, which had been suspended after the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), known commonly as the Iran nuclear deal.
 
We had long expressed skepticism that the rogue regime in Tehran would abide by the deal. Iran, the world’s largest state-sponsor of terror, continues to call for Israel’s destruction and meddle dangerously in Syria, Iraq, Yemen and across other Middle East hot spots.
 
B’nai B’rith believes that continued pressure on Iran is required to curb its nuclear and hegemonic ambitions. 

​U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch (D-Fla.) toured one of B’nai B’rith International’s housing facilities for low-income senior citizens to meet with residents and discuss the critical importance of housing for adults with limited means. B’nai B’rith Deerfield Beach Apartments in Deerfield Beach, Florida is a residential facility sponsored by B’nai B’rith in partnership with the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
 
“With approximately 10,000 Americans reaching retirement age each day and increases in life expectancy, the population of older Americans will double between 2012 and 2050. Congress must continue strong support for programs like Section 202 to ensure that high housing costs do not jeopardize a safe and secure retirement for hundreds of thousands of seniors. It was a pleasure to meet with the residents, board members, and staff of B’nai B’rith to see how federal investments in affordable housing help maintain quality of life and independence for South Florida seniors. Every American deserves to retire with dignity. Organizations like B’nai B’rith make that possible,” said Deutch.
 
Deutch’s tour of the building included the computer room, the arts and crafts room and the community room.  
 
The congressman held a Q&A session with 65 residents and answered questions regarding affordable housing, social security, Medicare, Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
 
This type of housing is in constant demand, and researchers say for every low-income senior housing apartment nationwide there are 10-12 seniors waiting for a spot.
 
In attendance from the B’nai B’rith Deerfield Beach Apartments were: Board President Arthur Fentin, Board Vice President Dennis Rice, Board Secretary Dr. Allan Land, Board Treasurer Stephen Rose and Board member Hank Meyer. Staff members from the apartment complex included Administrator James Lynch, Service Coordinator Janet Murphy, Service Coordinator Lynn Maccarone, Assistant Manager Lisa Bryan and Assistant Manager Tameka Perez.
 
“One of the core values of B’nai B’rith is ‘Tikkum Olam’ — loosely translated as ‘repairing the world.’ The government’s Section 202 housing program was initiated to provide safe, secure, affordable apartments to older persons of limited income. Our national senior housing network does just that. It provides hope and a dignified place to live for over 8,000 persons who would otherwise have no place to call their ‘home,’” said B’nai B’rith International Associate Executive Vice President and Director of the B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services Mark D. Olshan.
 
The B'nai B'rith Senior Housing Network in the United States consists of 38 buildings in 27 communities, and includes some 4,500 apartment units. B’nai B’rith Deerfield Beach Apartments comprises three separate buildings which accommodate 271 units. 
 
Deerfield Beach Apartments was also the site of the 2017 B’nai B’rith Housing Conference in December. The conference is held annually to bring board and staff members together to discuss approaches to affordable apartment house management. Last year B’nai B’rith International President Gary P. Saltzman spoke about our role in the affordable housing community and Wendi Lipsich, district director to the Congressman, also spoke at the conference regarding constituent service and disaster preparedness and responses.
 
“This is the best place to live — without this federal subsidized housing for seniors, I would not have this wonderful home in a clean and safe environment. It means the world to me to be able to live independently and feel proud of my home," said Carmen Rodriguez, a resident who lives in the complex. 

B’nai B’rith International is sending aid to Greece as raging wildfires have killed at least 80 and injured more than 180. Many people are still missing. The wildfires, outside of Athens, are causing massive destruction. Hundreds of homes have been destroyed and the death toll is expected to rise.
 
B’nai B’rith works very closely with two Greek-American organizations: The American Hellenic Educational Progressive Association (Order of AHEPA) and American Hellenic Institute (AHI). Over the last several years B’nai B’rith, along with the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Order of AHEPA and AHI, have held trilateral missions to Israel, Greece and Cyprus.
 
We have a tradition of helping communities in distress, which began in 1865 in pre-state Israel when we raised funds to aid victims of a cholera outbreak. Since then, B’nai B’rith has helped countless people across the globe who have faced adversity after natural and man-made disasters.  
 
B’nai B’rith will work with local aid groups on the ground to determine the areas of greatest need.

If you would like to help in this effort, donate here to our Disaster Relief Fund:
​https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/bbi-disaster-relief
 
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 marks the 24th anniversary of the horrific terrorist attack against the Argentine-Israelite Mutual Association (AMIA) building in Buenos Aires, that killed 85 people and injured hundreds. On July 18, 1994, a suicide bomber drove a truck filled with explosives into the building.
 
These last 24 years have been filled with grief, pain and anger, as the fight for justice continues. To date, no one has been prosecuted for this deplorable act of terror. One of those working diligently for justice was Alberto Nisman, the federal prosecutor who investigated the case for more than 10 years. Nisman had found extensive evidence of the involvement of Iranian officials in the planning and execution of the attack. But Nisman was murdered in January of 2015, a few days after accusing the government of former President Cristina Fernández de Kirchner of negotiating a pact with Iran in order to get impunity for the Iranian suspects.
 
As every year, the central commemoration event took place in Buenos Aires on July 18, in front of the AMIA building, at exactly 9:53 a.m. — the time of the bombing 24 years ago. Speakers included Agustin Zbar, the current president of AMIA; relatives of the victims; and Organization of American States (OAS) Secretary-General Luis Almagro who gave a keynote address. 
 
Argentine Vice President Gabriela Michetti, Argentine President Mauricio Macri’s Chief of Staff Marcos Pena and Human Rights Secretary Claudio Avruj also attended. B’nai B’rith was represented by Daniel Sporn, vice president of B’nai B’rith Argentina, and Susana Chalón, international vice president of B’nai B’rith Argentina. 
  
B’nai B’rith has been at the forefront of advocating for justice in the AMIA case from the very beginning. We will never forget the victims and their families, or Alberto Nisman, who gave his life in the search for justice. 
 
B’nai B’rith International’s Special Advisor on Latin American Affairs Adriana Camisar was a guest earlier this week on our podcast, and spoke about the bombing and about a recent development in the investigation into Alberto Nisman’s death. Click here to listen.

B’nai B’rith Summer 2018 Magazine Also Focuses on Antiquities Theft in Israel, Karaite Judaism and Famed Yiddish Singer Isa Kremer
 
For many, Israeli folk dancing in America is a time-honored tradition that is practiced weekly across the nation. Now dance leaders are concerned that their participant numbers are dwindling. Our cover story looks into the history of Israeli folk dance and what may be contributing to a lack of participation.  
 
Antiquities theft is a serious issue in Israel — an average of 300 archaeological sites are looted every year. Israel has upwards of 30,000 archaeological sites, and the Israel Antiquities Authority (IAA) works tirelessly to prevent fraud and thieves from stealing from these historical places. Read about this daunting task in our summer issue.
 
Eating cheeseburgers is Kosher? A small and little-known sect of Judaism says yes! Karaite Judaism is traced back to the 8th or 9th century Persia, and follows the teaching of the Torah, but does not practice what many consider more rabbinic Judaism.
 
With a career that spanned for more than four decades, singing sensation Isa Kremer was the first woman to perform Yiddish songs on the concert stage. Kremer became famous during World War I when she sang Italian, Russian and French songs in nightclubs. It wasn’t until poet Hayim Nahman Bialik suggested that she “do something for own people” that she began incorporating Yiddish songs into her sets.   
 
Shootings are becoming an all too common occurrence, especially at schools, and the debate over gun reform often turns hostile. Colorado native President Gary P. Saltzman shares his personal experiences in his president’s column.
 
As we kick off our 175th year, we also focus on our legacy. Former presidents Joel S. Kaplan, Moishe Smith and Allan J. Jacobs reflect on their time at the helm of B’nai B’rith and what the organization means to them, and to the world.
 
B’nai B’rith Executive Vice President and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin writes about the rise of global anti-Semitism incidents and what Jewish advocacy groups are doing to combat it. Mariaschin also talks about an anti-Semitism conference he attended in Rome.
 
Mark D. Olshan, director of the B’nai B’rith Center for Senior Services, warns readers of insurance scams, and that utilizing short-term plans may not be ideal. 
 
Read these unique stories and so much more in the summer issue of B’nai B’rith Magazine.
 
To access the magazine online click here.

​B’nai B’rith International is deploying its Disaster Relief Fund to help the victims of the worst flooding to engulf Japan in decades. At least 210 are confirmed dead, with scores still missing. Compounding the disaster is a heat wave that has gripped the same region impacted by the floods. The floods and subsequent landslides mean tens of thousands are stranded in their homes without power.
 
We need your financial support to ensure that funds are available for this humanitarian aid response.
 
We supported humanitarian relief efforts in Japan in 2011 after the ruinous earthquake and tsunami, and again in 2016 after another catastrophic earthquake.   
 
For this new catastrophe, the B’nai B’rith Disaster and Emergency Relief Fund is committed to supporting the efforts of IsraAID. This allocation will fund an emergency response team on the ground. B’nai B’rith is proud to be one of the founders of IsraAID, which helps after disasters around the globe. 
 
B’nai B’rith has a tradition of helping communities in distress, which began in 1865 in pre-state Israel when we raised funds to aid victims of a cholera outbreak. Since then, B’nai B’rith has helped countless people across the globe who have faced adversity after natural and man-made disasters.  
 
Donate here to our Disaster Relief Fund: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/bbi-disaster-relief
 
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

Other Resolutions, However, Reflect Unjust Narrative Against Jewish State

B’nai B’rith International commends the Episcopal Church’s House of Bishops for rejecting an irresponsible and bigoted motion for anti-Israel divestment that the denomination’s House of Deputies passed earlier this week.

At the 79th General Convention of the Episcopal Church, the House of Deputies voted to “end the Episcopal Church’s complicity in the 51 year old occupation” of Palestinian-claimed territories — singling out only one side of one conflict for punitive economic measures, ignoring all that Israel has sacrificed and attempted in a long pursuit of genuine peace, and disregarding the predominant, continuing responsibility of Palestinian leaders for the suffering of both Israelis and Palestinians.

B’nai B’rith thanks the House of Bishops for returning to a more responsible course on the question of economic warfare explicitly directed against Israel, and for also rejecting the profoundly odious charge of “apartheid” against the Middle East’s only pluralistic democracy and the world’s only Jewish state.

At the same time, in an echo of several other mainline denominations, the church considered a wildly disproportionate number of motions singling out Israel for opprobrium — roughly a dozen — with several being adopted. Among these was one wrongly blaming Israel for the deaths of Palestinian rioters and terror operatives, among others, deliberately put in harm’s way in Gaza by Hamas, the jihadist group that controls the territory. Failing to recognize the violence and fanatic doctrine of those openly committed to the murder of Israelis and to Israel’s destruction serves neither Palestinians nor peace.

​In 2015, the Episcopal Church overwhelmingly voted down a resolution promoting anti-Israel divestment and boycotts at the church’s General Convention in Salt Lake City. Discrimination, stridency and hostility have no place in a healthy Christian-Jewish relationship and in pursuing a fair, lasting and comprehensive Middle East peace.