(Washington, D.C., Dec. 21, 2020)—B’nai B’rith International President Charles O. Kaufman and CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin have issued the following statement: 

We commend Congress for reaching an agreement on the bipartisan COVID-19 relief bill. 

We welcome the $268 billion in economic relief that will help so many workers and families in need across the country, as they struggle from the fallout of the dire health and economic situation the pandemic has created. 

We are encouraged the bill includes expanded Paycheck Protection Program benefits to aid small businesses and nonprofits. We advocated for these additions in previous stimulus discussions. 

However, we are disappointed that there were no provisions made for low-income senior housing in this stimulus bill. As the largest national Jewish sponsor of low-income, nonsectarian housing for seniors in the country, we are focused on the urgent needs of this population. We would have appreciated funds for more supplies, staffing, service coordinators and Wi-Fi accessibility for subsidized housing for seniors. 

We hope Congress will continue to provide support for families impacted by the pandemic and that future legislation will include relief for affordable senior housing. 

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. 16, 2020)--In its latest effort to assist communities struggling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, B’nai B’rith created 3,000 COVID-19 relief kits – each with a face mask and hand sanitizer – to be distributed in 12 cities across the United States. 

B’nai B’rith community coordinators around the country will donate kits on behalf of B’nai B’rith to local agencies dedicated to serving their community. Each kit contains a cloth face mask and travel-sized hand sanitizer, both imprinted with the B’nai B’rith logo. 

Senior Vice President and Chair of the B’nai B’rith Disaster and Emergency Relief Committee Rebecca Saltzman said, “Every community in America is facing the challenge of responding to the needs of vulnerable populations. We want to be part of the solution and help make sure everyone stays safe.” 

As the U.S. experiences a high level of transmission of the virus, this project will help people follow the CDC recommendation for the “consistent and correct” use of face masks, as well as guidance to use hand sanitizer when soap and water are not readily available. 

Since it began in March 2020, the B’nai B’rith COVID-19 relief campaign has supported projects around the world to help keep people safe and alleviate the effects of the pandemic. 

The B’nai B’rith Disaster Relief Fund has responded to man-made and natural disasters around the world since 1865. 

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., Nov. 16, 2020)--Global anti-Semitism, the impact of the U.S. elections on the Jewish community and changes in the Middle East peace landscape were the featured topics of B'nai B'rith International’s just-concluded annual Leadership Forum. The two-day event was held virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

​Despite being unable to shake hands and connect with friends in person, the Leadership Forum offered in-depth conversations with important guests, including Israel’s Ambassador to the United States Ron Dermer, who closed out the Forum in an off-the-record discussion that included the changing peace landscape in the region.

President Charles O. Kaufman kicked things off by providing an overview of B’nai B’rith’s work around the world. Kaufman spoke about public policy and the United Nations, work in Israel, advocacy on behalf of seniors and disaster and emergency relief efforts, including the distribution of supplies in various countries affected by COVID-19, from the U.S., Panama and Uruguay to Italy.

B'nai B'rith International CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin hosted an informative conversation on global anti-Semitism with Ellie Cohanim, U.S. State Department deputy special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism, and Katharina Von Schnurbein, the European Commission coordinator on combating anti-Semitism.

Von Schnurbein spoke of the European Commission's efforts to combat anti-Semitism online. She emphasized the importance of "Pause: Take Care Before You Share," a campaign started by the U.N. Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to stop the spread of misinformation related to the COVID-19 pandemic. There has been no shortage of offensive and untrue conspiracy theories regarding Jews' and Israel's supposed role in spreading and creating the novel coronavirus. Von Schnurbein hopes A "Pause" strategy will help put an end to the falsehoods. "We help debunk conspiracy myths," she said. "We have seen, like in the terrorist attacks in Halle, the road from conspiracy myths to hate crimes on the street is very short."

Similarly, Cohanim commented on the unfortunate relationship between the online world and anti-Semitism. “The internet, sadly, has become a medium which allows millions and millions of people to be on the receiving end of these lies," she said.

In the day's second panel discussion, moderated by Eric Fusfield, B'nai B'rith International director of legislative affairs and deputy director of the Center for Human Rights and Public Policy, Lisa Lerer of The New York Times and Josh Kraushaar of the National Journal analyzed the outcomes of the 2020 U.S. elections and what changes Jews, Americans and those abroad, could expect to see from the new administration with regard to Israel.

Lerer, a political reporter, said that all indicators point to President-Elect Joe Biden pushing for a respectful relationship with Israel. "He comes from an older school of politics that see a relationship with Israel as a key part of foreign policy," she said.

Addressing a question about the need for bipartisan support for Israel, Kraushaar said that in what are now increasingly “tribal times,” the biggest movement is when someone in one party speaks out against someone in the same party who is not behaving in a responsible way.

Day two began with a spirited, extraordinary conversation hosted by B’nai B’rith World Center-Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider with guest Bassem Eid, a Jerusalem-based political analyst, human rights pioneer and expert commentator on Arab and Palestinian affairs. He offered great insight into missed and possible opportunities that exist between Israel and the Palestinians.

"One of the major tragedies of the Palestinian people is their own leadership," Eid said. "We have such old leadership who only like to talk about the past, who like only to mention history. They are not looking to the future of their people and their children."

“Homeland is the place where you can find dignity, justice and freedoms,” he continued. “This is the real homeland… Arab leaders and even Arab nations are starting to realize slowly, the influence of the State of Israel in the region.”

B’nai B’rith policy specialists discussed their respective areas of expertise, with Associate Director of the Center for Senior Services Janel Doughten describing the importance of collaboration among the different housing staffs during combined training sessions. "That is one of the great things about the training sessions,” she said.  “They can come together and share best practice, learning from each other.”

Evan Carmen, legislative director for aging policy, noted the diverse issues the seniors team tackles on Capitol Hill to help older adults, including affordable housing, Social Security, Medicare and nutrition. At the end of the day, it’s all about getting as much funding for those programs as possible, he said.

Director of Latin American Affairs Eduardo Kohn spoke about the perils Latin America will continue to face as the coronavirus pandemic rages in the region. “The pandemic has created a serious drama,” Kohn said. “The near future for Latin America is an increasing one of poverty and with that an increase of social unrest.”

Eric Fusfield, joining again on day two, stressed the need for the U.N. to change its attitude toward Israel. “Change is in order when it comes to the ritual condemnation of Israel at the United Nations,” he said. “It’s really time for the U.N. to exercise some necessary leadership.”

Vice President of Programming Rhonda Love spoke about B’nai B’rith’s long commitment to helping others and, in particular, the victims of natural disasters.  “Our strength has really been to look at what we call the vulnerable population,” she said. “It’s all about the people.”

Click here to access all of our Leadership Forum materials.

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.

(Washington, D.C., April 28, 2020)--In response to the implementation of social distancing measures and stay-at-home orders, B’nai B’rith has increased our production of online content, including podcasts, webinars and one-on-one interviews with experts in a variety of fields. We have talked about how anti-Semitism has spread along with the spread of the coronavirus; the challenges facing older adults in subsidized housing; the latest medical information about the coronavirus; and resilience, among many other topics.

Together, we can navigate this crisis and combat feelings of social isolation. Please find some of our offerings below.

We held a webinar to discuss the explosion in anti-Semitism in the EU during the coronavirus pandemic, with special guest Katharina von Schnurbein, the European Commission Coordinator on Combating Antisemitism The webinar, hosted by CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin can be viewed here.

The Jerusalem Post’s Op-Ed editor and Middle East affairs analyst, Seth Frantzman joined Mariaschin on the B’nai B’rith podcast to discuss his new book, how his experiences reporting in the Middle East have shaped his analysis of recent events on the ground, Iranian hegemony and coronavirus’ impact in the region. The full podcast is here. We also welcomed from the Jerusalem Post Omri Nahmias, along with our World Center-Jerusalem Director Alan Schneider for a discussion on Israel’s coalition government.

In partnership with Yad Vashem, B'nai B'rith commemorated the six million Jews who perished during the Holocaust, including one and a half million children. As part of the North American Unto Every Person There is a Name program, we read names of Holocaust victims, ensuring these people would always be remembered. Due to COVID-19, this was a virtual ceremony broadcast live on Yom Hashoah.
 
Eric Fusfield, director of legislative affairs and deputy director of the B’nai B’rith International Center for Human Rights and Public Policy spoke with Mariaschin as part of our One-On-One interview series about “The Plot Against America,” HBO's miniseries adaptation of Philip Roth’s 2004 novel of the same name and explored what the series says about Jewish identity in America, both in the 1940s and today. The six-part limited series imagines that Charles Lindbergh became president in 1940, leading to the widespread persecution of Jews in the United States. Watch here.

Mariaschin spoke with MEP Sergey Lagodinsky. A Member of the European Parliament for Germany since 2019, Lagodinsky is a lawyer and member of the German Green Party. They spoke about European Union's efforts to combat the coronavirus pandemic, how the parliament approaches anti-Semitism and what role the Working Group on Anti-Semitism plays in setting the parliament’s agenda. They also talked about threats to the Jewish community and the rule of law in Europe during this crisis. Watch here.

Israel's Minister of Regional Cooperation Tzachi Hanegbi joined Mariaschin for our One-On-One series to discuss the coronavirus' impact on Israel and its economy, regional cooperation during the crisis, and how Israel's relationship with the rest of the world has changed in the midst of a global pandemic. Hanegbi also provided updates on the formation of the new Israeli government. Their full conversation is here.
 
Eduardo Kohn, B’nai B’rith’s director of Latin American Affairs, visited our One-On-One program to talk about how Latin America is responding to the coronavirus pandemic, how the Jewish community is handling the outbreak, and what B’nai B’rith is doing to help Jews across Latin America during this time. See the conversation here.

We held a webinar with members of B'nai B'rith’s Center for Senior Services team to discuss how they are guiding our senior housing communities through the coronavirus crisis, emergency and disaster training for B’nai B’rith housing staff, and its efforts on Capitol Hill advocating for seniors during the coronavirus crisis. Panelists from the Center for Senior Services included Director Mark D. Olshan, Associate Director Janel Doughten and Legislative Director for Aging Policy Evan Carmen. Watch the webinar here. What are the special challenges frontline staff are facing at these buildings? This conversation addresses that question.

Mariaschin spoke to David Michaels, B’nai B’rith’s director of United Nations and Intercommunal Affairs, about how the coronavirus has affected B’nai B’rith’s U.N. initiatives, how the virus has changed the U.N.’s priorities and deliberations, and what impact this crisis has had on relations between member states. They also talked about the World Health Organization’s role as this crisis continues to worsen. Watch here.

​​​​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, joined 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. Listen here.

B’nai B’rith is committed to providing insightful and enlightening content during this difficult time. Visit our Extra Page to see what programs are coming up and what you may have missed.
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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., April 23, 2020)--B´nai B´rith teamed up with Jewish organizations in Panama to make a new donation to the Ministry of Health and the Ombudsman Office.

The Ministry of Health received 50 donated oximeters, which measure heart rates and the oxygen levels in patients’ blood. Oximeters are urgently needed for the coronavirus emergency and will be distributed to hospitals all over the country. The Ombudsman Office received 150 beds to help the needs of the Center of Migrants, located in Panama City. The center is a shelter for migrants who come to Panama from other countries to find work. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, most of them are unemployed.

Alberto Levy, a B´nai B´rith leader in Panama and lay leader in the Jewish community, and Alberto Jabiles, executive director of B´nai B´rith District 23, delivered the donations on behalf of all of the community.
 
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., April 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 commends the Senate’s passage of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, a $484 billion coronavirus aid package. The bill includes funds to replenish the Paycheck Protection Program, which gives loans to small businesses and nonprofits suffering as a result of the outbreak. There are also separate allocations for hospitals, economic disaster loans and coronavirus testing.
 
In a time of national and international crisis, we are encouraged by the display of bipartisan cooperation involved in the passage of this act. We urge the House to follow suit and pass the bill as quickly as possible, to provide much-needed help to small business owners and hospitals around the country.
 
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., April 20, 2020)--B´nai B´rith teamed up with Jewish organizations in Panama to make an urgently needed donation to the Ministry of Health.

The donated materials include 5,000 N95 masks, which are suitable for medical workers; 50,000 special gloves; 30,000 caps for nurses and surgeons; masks for children; masks for adults; 20 wheelchairs; thousands of special kits for sinus analysis; and 1,000 protective suits for medical doctors working in intensive care.
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The donation was distributed to four public hospitals by the Ministry of Health.

Alberto Levy, a B´nai B´rith leader in Panama and lay leader in the Jewish community, delivered the donation to the Ministry of Public Health on behalf of all of the community.

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., April 13, 2020)-- In response to the coronavirus pandemic and with the vast majority of the country under quarantine, today B´nai B´rith Uruguay delivered one thousand baskets of food as a donation to the government. The donations were given to two organizations: Sembrando (Sewing,) chaired by the president´s wife Lorena Lacalle, and the National System of Emergencies.

The baskets will be distributed all over the country.

Lacalle and Director of the National System of Emergencies Colonel Sergio Rico received the donation. B´nai B´rith was represented by Vice President of B’nai B’rith Uruguay Andres Yusupoff. Other members of the B´nai B´rith Board stayed home in compliance with social distancing recommendations.
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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.

We commended the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which is providing assistance for low-income senior housing. With the COVID-19 virus still bearing down on the country, B’nai B’rith is calling on Congress to pass another bipartisan stimulus package that 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 is uniquely aware of the need to appropriate additional financial resources for senior housing in response to the COVID-19 crisis. The additional money would potentially allow senior buildings to expand service coordination (which is especially important for buildings that lack a service coordinator: a social services staff person) and offer WiFi to all residents, which could make telemedicine more readily accessible. Funding could also provide the necessary resources for buildings to absorb additional expenses associated with extra staffing, cleaning supplies, personal protective equipment, security personnel and decreases in rents. The funding could enable our country to construct more Section 202 properties. As always, B’nai B’rith will continue to advocate to members of Congress on issues important to seniors.  
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Lastly, we appreciate the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) decision to provide direct stimulus payments to all Social Security recipients regardless of whether they filed a tax return.  We now call on the IRS to extend this guidance to Supplemental Security Income recipients (SSI). Forcing SSI recipients, to file a tax return is an unnecessary burden during a time of crisis. Given restrictions regarding travel and socialization, the IRS guidance places hardships on the very set of people who need the financial assistance the most. We should be looking to get financial assistance to SSI recipients as quickly as possible and not force them to jump needlessly through hoops.

(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.
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