web analytics
June 19, 2013 / 11 Tammuz, 5773
At a Glance ▼
Sections
Sponsored Post
Bicycle in South Pioneers of the Periphery: Olim of the South

Got that pioneering spirit? You’re invited to help build Israel’s periphery by planting roots in southern soil with Nefesh B’Nefesh.



B’nai B’rith International Revives Lodge In Poland

Published: October 10th, 2007
tell a friend

        In 1938, by decree of the president of the Republic of Poland, all 10 B’nai B’rith Lodges were closed down. This differs from the rest of Europe where lodges were shut during World War II, after the Nazi takeover, as part of the German attempt to destroy the Jewish nation.


 


         But finally after nearly 70 years, on September 9, B’nai B’rith International leaders from around the world came to Poland to revive the Warsaw Lodge.

 

         “The pride emanating from the crowd of 37 new brothers and sisters, as they became part of our world-wide family, was exhilarating,” said B’nai B’rith International President Moishe Smith. “It was a proud and honorable moment for me, personally, and for all of B’nai B’rith.”

 

         Members of B’nai B’rith Europe, and several leaders from B’nai B’rith International in Washington, D.C., including Executive Vice-President Daniel S. Mariaschin, attended the installation.

 

         “The launch of our new lodge in Warsaw carries great significance,” Mariaschin said. “Given B’nai B’rith’s long, but interrupted history in Poland, the country’s relationship to both the U.S. and Israel bi-laterally, and as a member of the European Union, and the revival of Jewish life there, the new lodge can act as an important participant in a wide range of issues on the B’nai B’rith, and broader Jewish agenda.”

 

         It has been a long hard struggle to revive the lodge in Poland. Lodge President, Dr. Andrej Friedman, and the Secretary General, Malka Kafka, were able to succeed in their endeavors only through the strong support of the B’nai B’rith Europe and international parent organizations.

 

         “As president of B’nai B’rith Europe, I think it shows, joyfully, that Jewish life in Poland is present and growing,” said B’nai B’rith Europe President Reinhold Simon. “The presence of a B’nai B’rith lodge is also for B’nai B’rith Europe, an important fact. We in B’nai B’rith Europe, have been working on this for more then 10 years. The new board members are ready to enlarge their presence and we hope to see, in the future, new lodges throughout Poland.”

 

 


Some of the visiting dignitaries of B’nai Brith International with the leaders of the newly-revived Polish B’nai B’rith Lodge.

 

 

         About 250 people attended the celebration at the Hotel Intercontinental in Warsaw. Among the attendees were Rabbi Michael Schudrich, Chief Rabbi of Poland and David Peleg, Israel Ambassador to Poland.

 

         The reception was catered by Pinchas Tzioni who came to Poland from Israel a few months ago and started a catering business. He offers delicious Glatt Kosher meals, prepared at the Jewish Community Center in Lodz, which can be delivered anywhere in the country for groups and individuals.

 

         Founded in 1843, B’nai B’rith International is universally recognized as one of the world’s largest and oldest Jewish human rights, community action, and humanitarian organizations. A constant source of innovation and charity for populations around the world. B’nai B’rith has founded hospitals, orphanages, senior housing communities, disaster relief campaigns, libraries, anti-hate programs, and countless other initiatives in the public interest.

 

         B’nai B’rith is also a tireless advocate for Israel and the Diaspora in a variety of governmental and political arenas. With more than 180,000 members and affiliates, in more than 50 countries, B’nai B’rith spans the globe in its efforts to improve conditions for Jewish communities and their inhabitants.

 

        www.bnaibrith.org

tell a friend

About the Author:


You might also be interested in:


If you don't see your comment after publishing it, refresh the page.
no comments

Comments are closed.

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend

Current Top Story
On Wednesday, students protested at the Mount Scopus campus the Hebrew University's decision to give a terrorist a doctoral degree.
Terrorist Receives Doctorate from Hebrew University
Latest Sections Stories
Kodish-061413-Dancing
Sections → Features → Features On The Jewish World

Yet all are part of one neshamah, planted in rich, verdant soil, determined to grow. May our garden continue to produce a glorious assortment of flowers and trees, each attached firmly to its roots. Our diverse southern vegetation flourishes and grows into different trees, flowers, and fruits, and a rainbow of glorious shades and hues appears. Yet each shoot is rooted in the same soil, stretching its branches and blossoms heavenward in an endless pursuit of growth and connection to the One above.

Baim-061413-Long-hair
Sections → Jewess Press → Daily Living

This past Lag B’Omer, we were blessed to make our first upsherin, where we celebrate our son’s first hair cut. It’s a wonderful milestone that mimics the three years that we refrain from plucking a tree’s first fruits and symbolizes the entry of the child into the world of Torah learning. It’s a clear sign to everyone; this boy is no longer a baby.

Littman-061413-Bridge
Sections → Features → Features On The Jewish World

Although there are more direct and faster routes to Beer Sheva and Eilat and all the sites and towns in-between, the Basor River is one of the beauties of the Negev that defiantly justifies a diversion.

Sections → Magazine → Teens and Twenties

The importance of death customs has been ingrained in me since birth. When I served as a shomeret for my grandmother, I was instructed not to eat, drink or perform a mitzvah in the same room. In the shock of death, it seemed rather inane to be told it would be considered mocking the dead. My grandmother was gone; she couldn’t do those things because she didn’t exist anymore, a fact that still makes me tear up.

Sections → Magazine → Potpourri

I would have to say that one of the most annoying things about having a newspaper advice column, aside from all these people writing to me and asking for advice, is that they frequently don’t tell me WHY they’re asking.

Sections → Features → Features On The Jewish World

Rav Yosef Shalom Elyashiv zt”l, who passed away on 28 Tammuz, (July18) this year at age 102, spent all of his days and most of his nights learning Torah. He was the paramount leader of our generation, and inspired tremendous awe and reverence in everyone who knew him. Now, every woman has the stunning opportunity to do something in his memory. A Sefer Torah is being written in his memory and women around the world have the chance to dedicate a letter.

Sections → Family → Marriage and Relationships

Due to her family situation, it is understandable that she will have more responsibilities than other girls her age, but she would benefit from having some free time and receiving more appreciation for her hard work.

Sections → Family → Parenting Our Children

For children, summer means outdoor sports, picnics, and of course, no school! Teachers and students work hard all year long – and everyone deserves a break from education over the summer. However, this two-month break can often have some pretty devastating consequences.

Sections → Family

It was only after we celebrated the great news that we were expecting twins that we saw the first sign of problems. First of all, my wife was losing, not gaining weight, even as the babies continued to grow normally. Soon after, routine blood work revealed that my wife was suffering from gestational diabetes.

Sections → Community → West Coast Happenings

Rabbi Pinchas Gruman is the new rav of the Minyan at Aish Tamid.

One of the most respected Torah figures in Los Angeles, Rabbi Gruman has been described as “The Los Angeles link in the mesorah of the yeshiva world” by Rabbi Nachum Sauer. As a talmid in Lakewood in the 1950s, Rabbi Gruman received semicha from Rav Aaron Kotler, zt”l, and Rav Moshe Feinstein, zt”l. Soon after, he moved to Los Angeles.

More Articles from Shmuel Ben Eliezer
Sections → Magazine → Archives

The official beginning of World War II was September 1, 1939. On that day German soldiers invaded Gdansk after bombarding the city with a military warship. As part of the Polish Government’s official series of events marking seven decades since the start of World War II, Poland’s Jewish community and the Jerusalem-based “Shavei Israel” organization held a special ceremony yesterday in the Gdansk synagogue to commemorate the outbreak of the war, which paved the way for the Holocaust.

Sections → Magazine → Archives

The official beginning of World War II was September 1, 1939. On that day German soldiers invaded Gdansk after bombarding the city with a military warship. As part of the Polish Government’s official series of events marking seven decades since the start of World War II, Poland’s Jewish community and the Jerusalem-based “Shavei Israel” organization held a special ceremony yesterday in the Gdansk synagogue to commemorate the outbreak of the war, which paved the way for the Holocaust.

Sections → Magazine → Archives

September 1, 1939 is the date on which Germany invaded Poland, starting WWII. While it should be said that the start of the war was not the start of the Shoah, which actually began with the rise of Nazism in 1933, it was a major milestone in the annals of the Holocaust. Within the first few days of the war, Germany had conquered and/or bombed much of Poland, including the capital, Warsaw.

Sections → Magazine → Archives

September 1, 1939 is the date on which Germany invaded Poland, starting WWII. While it should be said that the start of the war was not the start of the Shoah, which actually began with the rise of Nazism in 1933, it was a major milestone in the annals of the Holocaust. Within the first few days of the war, Germany had conquered and/or bombed much of Poland, including the capital, Warsaw.

Sections → Magazine → Archives

In September 1939 the Germans started establishing ghettos in the occupied territory of Poland. Ghettos played an important role in the Jewish extermination policy. They were filled with Polish and Western European Jewish deportees. The ghettos differed in times of existence, size, internal organization, and living conditions. The Germans called them ” death boxes” (Todeskiste). The city of Lodz belonged to the Wartheland District and the Germans changed its name into Litzmannstadt.

Sections → Magazine → Archives

In September 1939 the Germans started establishing ghettos in the occupied territory of Poland. Ghettos played an important role in the Jewish extermination policy. They were filled with Polish and Western European Jewish deportees. The ghettos differed in times of existence, size, internal organization, and living conditions. The Germans called them ” death boxes” (Todeskiste). The city of Lodz belonged to the Wartheland District and the Germans changed its name into Litzmannstadt.

Sections → Magazine → Archives

Growing up in the U.S. during the second half of the 20th century, I, along with most people, know very little about the First World War. The little that I did know was about the trench warfare in France and Belgium. The Eastern Front was barely, if ever, mentioned and usually stated that it ended with the Russian Revolution and overthrowing the Czar.

Sections → Magazine → Archives

Growing up in the U.S. during the second half of the 20th century, I, along with most people, know very little about the First World War. The little that I did know was about the trench warfare in France and Belgium. The Eastern Front was barely, if ever, mentioned and usually stated that it ended with the Russian Revolution and overthrowing the Czar.

    Latest Poll

    Female, Orthodox, Halachic Deciders and Spiritual Leaders (Maharat)









    View Results

    Loading ... Loading ...

Printed from: http://www.jewishpress.com/indepth/columns/bnai-brith-international-revives-lodge-in-poland/2007/10/10/

Scan this QR code to visit this page online:

No related posts.

Close