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What is B'nai B'rith Europe? |
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B'nai B'rith Europe is part of the worldwide Jewish organisation, B'nai B'rith International. It was been established in New York in 1843 and is represented in Europe for over 130 years.
In 1999, different structures of B'nai B'rith on the European continent and in U.K. have been merged to B'nai B'rith Europe. Its first President has been Seymour Saideman.
The Structure of B’nai B’rith Europe
The headquarters of B’nai B’rith Europe are located in Brussels with a crew managed by the administrative director Aline Brandon.
The actual President of B’nai B’rith Europe is Reinold Simon. He has at his side an Executive Committee with members representing B'nai B'rith all over Europe.
A number of special committees are dealing with specific projects such as development and help in Central and Eastern Europe, Jewish Heritage and others.
At a biannual Convention, the representatives of B'nai B'rith all over Europe are dealing with all subjects concerning the activities of the organisation and are electing the boards of it.
The Presence of B’nai B’rith Europe
Over 5000 Members are organised in more than 150 associations or Lodges in 29 European countries.
Thus, B’nai B’rith Europe has a presence all over Europe and in almost any important city of the continent. Every year, some new local entities are proving the strength and lively development of B’nai B’rith Europe.
The Aims of B’nai B’rith Europe
The motto of B'nai B'rith is "Charity, Fraternal Love and Harmony".
With these humanitarian bases in mind, B’nai B’rith Europe aims at the following goals:
- To help people in distress.
- To improve Jewish identity.
- To broaden knowledge about Jews and Judaism across Europe.
- To fight racism and anti-Semitic tendencies in particular.
- To strengthen the relations between Jews in Europe and the State of Israel.
- To promote understanding and good relations between European institutions and the State of Israel.
- To support knowledge about Jewish presence and heritage in Europe.
The Activities of B’nai B’rith Europe
B’nai B’rith Europe has the status of a NGO and has as such a continuous presence at:
- The European Community in Brussels
- The European Parliament
- The Council of Europe
- The UN-institutions in Geneva
- Unesco in Paris
At these institutions contacts at the highest level with political leaders, representatives of other NGOs, opinion leaders and diplomatic representatives are daily business in order to realise the aims of B'nai B'rith.
Recent Accomplishments of B’nai B’rith Europe
Amongst other daily activities, B’nai B’rith Europe has, in its short history, realised a number of important accomplishments:
An exhibition on Jewish resistance during the persecutions of the Second World War:
An important travelling exhibition was set up on Jewish Resistance during World War II, thus honouring those heroes, Jews and non-Jews, who fought to save so many lives from the Nazi regime throughout Europe.
The exhibit was inaugurated in Brussels on November 20, 2001 where it stayed for 3 months before opening in Vienna and Berlin in 2002.
The organisation of an international Symposium in Brussels: "Europe Facing Terrorism" in October 2004
The European Day of Culture:
B'nai B'rith was instrumental in designing and developing this historic event throughout the whole of Europe, which has collectively celebrated the rich European Jewish cultural heritage since 1999. During a ceremony which took place on December 5, 2005, the European Day of Jewish Heritage was officially given the title of Cultural Route by the Council of Europe.
B’nai B’rith Book Fair:
For the many years, B’nai B’rith Europe has held an International Book Fair in Paris with books written by Jewish writers, in the presence of the authors and followed by round table debates on subjects such as, in 2000, “Jews, Christians, what is their common future”. Major personalities from the Jewish and non-Jewish media and the political world participate in these debates.
Publication of brochures:
"The Palestinian children at the school of hate"
"The Palestinian authority: Where does the money go?
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