We should ask ourselves… could we be making a greater contribution, whether in terms of work or financial support? And then we should resolve to increase our commitment to one or more of the projects of B’nai B’rith Europe.

We all have the honour to be individual members of B’nai B’rith Europe, via our membership of a lodge in any one of the many countries in Europe where B’nai B’rith is represented. The BBE Constitution governs and binds us all together throughout Europe and this should give us a sense of unity and purpose that provides the strength, the courage and the determination to support each other in our ongoing struggle against those who wish to harm us, in bringing help and comfort to those who suffer and in educating both young and old. The BB France and BB UK National Structures do not alter the direct relationship between the members and their lodges with the BBE District.

Our current programme of pan-European activities fall into three main activities. Firstly, our cultural and heritage work, embracing Heritage Days and the Makor educational programmes being developed in Central and Eastern Europe, where our communities are enjoying a cultural renaissance after decades of Communist suppression.

Secondly, we now intend to work closely with BBI to make our Human Rights and Public Policy work at the EU more effective. We now have a European Senior Vice-President of BBI and I hope this development, too, will lead to a more effective working relationship with BBI. Our FAN activities will be maintained and I hope strengthened at a local level.

Thirdly, because our younger people cannot escape their future responsibilities, we hold an annual Young Jewish Forum. All our past Forums have been a great success in bringing together younger people from many countries across Europe. We hope that by keeping in contact with each other and BBE, too, our future leaders will emerge not just for the benefit of B’nai B’rith but for our communities in general.

There is still much work to be done, and at the beginning of a new decade we all have a timely opportunity to resolve to do more to support one or more of these projects.  I very much hope we will collectively meet the challenge.

My Brothers and Sisters on the B’nai B’rith Europe Executive join me in wishing you a happy, peaceful and successful New Year.

Graham Weinberg,  President, B'nai B'rith Europe
January 2010