Some fifty B'nai B'rith leaders and members from Germany, France, Poland, Australia, Canada and Israel participated on 17 April in the first post-Passover symposium organized by the B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem in cooperation with B'nai B'rith Europe.
The event was crafted especially for B'nai B'rith members visiting
Israel during the Passover holiday. The event, entitled "Israel's New
Government and the Future of the State," featured presentations by
prominent politicians and journalists on the pressing challenges facing
the recently-installed Netanyahu government.
These included cabinet minister MK Dr. Benny Begin (Likud), Opposition
MK Nachman Shai (Kadima), Ma'ariv Op-ed editor Ben-Dror Yemini and
Makor Rishon editor Amnon Lord.
In an introductory statement, B'nai B'rith Europe President Graham
Weinberg noted that the symposium represented a valuable contribution
to BBE's goals of promoting effective Diaspora leadership that is well
connected to Israel, able to contribute to BBE's efforts to support the
Jewish community and the State of Israel.
BBE Senior Vice President Ralph Hoffman added that the symposium
represented an important meeting point for B'nai B'rith members from
Europe, Israel and beyond and expressed the intention of making this a
regular feature on the B'nai B'rith calendar. Presenting greetings on
behalf of the B'nai B'rith World Center, Chairman Dr. Haim V. Katz
noted the importance of the Center's role as an embassy for B'nai
B'rith International and a hub for members from around the world.
Chairing the media session with Lord and Yemini, BBCanada EVP Dr. Frank
Dimant drew attention to the special significance of the meeting in
Jerusalem while enemies of Israel and the Jewish people began to gather
in Geneva for the Durban Review Conference.
Other participants included former BBIsrael President Zipora Peer and
Romanian ambassador to Israel Eddie Iosiper. The program ended with a
tour of the renowned Menachem Begin Heritage Museum on the life and
times of Israel's sixth prime minister.
Report by Alan Schneider, Director B'nai B'rith World Center, Jerusalem
