On 4th June 2009, the lodge “Philon” of Athens extended an open invitation to the whole Jewish congregation, in order to close the season 2008-2009.This was held at the Athens Jewish Community Club, and a good number of guests attended  the event.

The film entitled “The Song of Life” was presented, dealing with the rescue of all the Jewish people from the island of Zante during the German occupation, thanks to the local Archbishop  Ηrissostomos and the Mayor  of  Zante, Lucas Karrer.


















After the emotional projection of the film, B’nai B’rith “Philon” presented a Plaquette to honour  Mrs.  Effie Weinberg for her philanthropy and help to the Greek Jewish people.
Finally, the Lodge hosted the guests with snacks and refreshments.

On 2nd July 2009 B'nai B'rith International president Moishe Smith visited Athens

During his stay in Athens, Moishe Smith was accompanied by the BBI Executive Vice-President, Daniel Mariaschin, and met with the President of the “Philon” Lodge, Matos Borbolis, with Mr. Moisis Konstantinis, President of the Central Board of Greek-Jewish Communities, and Benny Albalas, President of the Athens Jewish Community.

Fruitful, and substantial discussions were held with the Greek Deputy Foreign Minister Theodore Kassimis during which a number of issues were reviewed effecting mutual interest: prospects for reviving deliberations for the peaceful resolution of the crisis in Gaza and the broader Middle East, including the evolving  inter-dialogue between Palestinian factions for a cease-fire; also, the unsettled horizon in the post- presidential election  in Iran, and the possible consequences on Teheran's ambitious nuclear program as well as the projected aspirations of the new national leaderships in the U.S. and Israel.

The visitors presented issues of concern to Greek Jewry (the municipal encroachment in sacred ground in the Thessaloniki cemetery, the awarding of reparations) and acknowledged the continuing efforts of officials in Greece to recover the archives of the Jewish communities of Athens and Thessaloniki that were taken by the occupying powers in World War II and moved to Moscow. Finally, the Minister voiced the respect and admiration of the Greek Government for the manifold contributions of Greek Jewry.
 
After this visit a private tour of the Jewish Museum was conducted by its director Zanet Batinou.

The visitors met with other members of the B.B. Board at the Athens Jewish Community Club, where they exchanged ideas and conclusions of their visit in Greece.

The meeting ended with a light meal and refreshments, and some gifts were presented to them.