At Our Core

The Pillars of B'nai B'rith - 170,Years Of Service

At our core, B’nai B’rith has always been dedicated to making the world a better place. At our core, we focus on doing good work in our communities and in the world at large. It’s the common thread of our organization, even as we have grown, evolved and adapted over more than 170 years. Building libraries, hospitals, homes for orphaned children, standing with Israel, supporting seniors, helping victims of disaster, speaking out against intolerance—these are all paths we have undertaken, and fields where we make a difference. Today we continue to speak to those in need around the world.

Much of our work falls into four major areas of concentration:

Human Rights and Public Policy: We monitor and combat anti-Semitism and other human rights abuses around the world. We play an active role cultivating religious tolerance and cooperation internationally.

Supporting and Defending Israel: We are a staunch supporter and defender of Israel at the United Nations and its affiliated agencies, in world capitals and in a variety of international organizations. Our World Center in Jerusalem is our connection to a wide range of Israeli governmental, academic and cultural institutions.

Senior Advocacy and Housing: We are proud to be the largest national Jewish sponsor of federally subsidized housing for the elderly in the United States with 42 buildings in 26 communities. Working in partnership with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), B'nai B'rith makes rental apartments available for senior citizens with limited incomes. B'nai B'rith senior housing is open to all qualified individuals as defined by HUD, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, handicap or national origin. This unparalleled expertise in protecting seniors and advocating on aging issues gives us the ability to also serve as a respected voice on a wide variety of issues affecting seniors, including—but not limited to—Social Security and Medicare.

Helping Communities: B’nai B’rith has raised funds to help the victims of disasters around the world for 150 years. Our commitment to helping communities lasts long after the first-responders have done their vital work. Our volunteers also provide “boots on the ground” assistance—putting in people-power to help rebuild devastated communities—from clean-up programs such as debris-removal after Hurricane Sandy in the New York City area, to our Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity partners barn-building in Oklahoma for regions decimated by tornadoes. Additionally, B’nai B’rith volunteers are active in their local communities with a wide variety of local projects. They range from distributing holiday-appropriate food for elderly Jewish residents who would not otherwise be able to celebrate the holiday to collecting and distributing day-old baked goods to shelters and schools to feed the hungry and much more.

OUR ANNIVERSARY YEAR

2013 marked B’nai B’rith’s 170th anniversary. Think about the world 17 decades ago. The New York Times had not begun to publish, there was no Major League Baseball and even the American Red Cross had not yet been formed (though it was eventually co-founded by a B’nai B’rith leader).

The link to our founders is indelible. Though we have changed with the times, we still relentlessly advocate for global Jewry and champion the cause of human rights. We still promote Jewish unity and continuity. We are still dedicated to disaster relief. We continue to tirelessly advocate on behalf of senior citizens. And we strongly and proudly defend the State of Israel.

Anniversary celebrations included B’nai B’rith Shabbat receptions, tribute dinners and community service projects in various localities. A special tribute, held at the German Consulate in New York, featured honoree Dr. Ruth Westheimer saluting the German-Jewish roots of the organization.

B’nai B’rith’s 170th milestone was recognized globally through governmental proclamations, including one from President Barack Obama. The U.S. Congress and various states and cities issued proclamations recognizing B’nai B’rith’s 170 years of service to the community. Our top leaders accepted congratulations on the anniversary from Congressional leadership and lawmakers from both parties.

Remembering our roots in disaster assistance, B’nai B’rith members and supporters took part in a community service project to pack disaster relief kits that were distributed to areas impacted by Midwest flooding.

An inaugural webinar in partnership with the American Jewish Archives at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio, spotlighted the historic relevance of the B’nai B’rith archives.

B’nai B’rith has been actively promoting the collection of community service hours by volunteers. This tribute began on Oct. 13—the anniversary of our founding—and will continue for 170 days. The hours of service and volunteers are promoted via Facebook with a campaign called B.B.R.A.Vo—B’nai B’rith Recognition and Appreciation of Volunteers.

We also promoted our Enlighten America program for Thanksgiving/Chanukah 2013 and provided a venue for people to share their holiday memories throughout the year as well as explore Jewish identity issues.