B’nai B’rith  Israel

District 14  Founded  1888

President Arie Bar-Zion

International President  Richard Heideman

 


 

Letter of the month of Shvat,   Feb 2002

 by Arie Bar Zion ,President B`nai B`rith Israel.

 

On Thursday, Dec.20, an Annual General Meeting, was held at the B`nai B`rith Parents Home in Haifa. An invitation to the Annual General Meeting was sent, according  to the Constitution, to B`nai B`rith lodges. Presidents who could not attend the assembly gave a written authorization to others who represented them. Myself, together with the vice Presidents and other prominent from over the country, participated at the assembly. Members of the Board of Directors of the Parents Home praised our participation. During the discussion which was held later, it appeared that there are additional subjects to be discussed.  As a result some of the subjects on the Agenda were approved and part of them will be handled soon and brought to the attention of the Lodges. An additional assembly will take place in the near future. The Haifa Parents Home is one of the most beautiful projects of B`nai B`rith Israel. Share holders of the Parents Home are the   lodges registered with the Companies Registration  at the Ministry of Law.
  

In December 2001, a delegation of B`nai B`rith France visited Israel, in order to express their identification with the people of Israel. The delegation consisted of 40 people. Their aim was: to support Israel and the fight against terror.
In his letter to the delegation stated Prime Minister,Mr Ariel Sharon

:..”Our Unity and your solidarity with the people of Israel are essential to bring at the end to a justified and ever lasting peace.” The delegation was hosted by Jacqueline Revivo, President of Robert Gamzon Lodge, who did everything in her power to make their stay in Israel a success.  The delegation gave a round table press conference. I joined them at the summing meeting bringing the message  of B`nai B`rith Israel.

Three weeks later I participated with B`nai B`rith French speaking brothers at
an important meeting which took place on January 19, at the Robert Gamzon Lodge with the presence of Jacqueline Revivo and Admiral Michael

Darmon. Admiral Darmon is the first Jewish President of the France-Israel Friendship Association , named after General Pierre Koenig. In his lecture on “The Future of the relations between France and Israel “, Admiral Darmon said that Europe, as far as the Jewish community is concerned, is united today around a Pro-Arab and Anti-Israeli policy. The situation today, according to Darmon, is better, as there is no split inside the Jews of France who are standing united against the European Theological interest  which overcomes the European economic interest.

 

This is our opportunity as B`nai B`rith Israel, to praise again, as we
did many times in the past, the French speaking lodges among us,

 For the most important work they are doing ,

 acting as our spokesperson  in Europe..

 

*A reception in honor of the U.S.A. Ambassador to Israel, Dr.Daniel Kertzer, was held in Hotel Bazel Tel Aviv on Tuesday Jan.15. On this
occasion we B`nai B`rith Israel’ expressed our solidarity and identification
with the citizens of U.S.A. who proved their courage during the disaster of
September 11.

 

280 guests attended  the reception, among them 30 Ambassadors and
representatives of Embassies from different countries, the carrier of
the B`nai B`rith Humanitarian Award, Mr. Yossy Hackmey, Dr. Baruch Levy, head of all voluntary organizations in Israel, presidents of various lodges and brothers and sisters from all over the country. Much to our regret,
the USA Ambassador was unable to attend, due to the fact he has been called urgently to meet with Israel Prime Minister, Mr. Ariel Sharon.
Ms. Debra Schwartz senior staff a member and the Economic Counselor
replaced him and read his warm letter, adding words of her own.
The Deputy Ambassador of Russia, Mr. Victor Smirnoff surprised the
audience when he spoke in Hebrew. The head of the Egyptian Embassy, 
Dr. Ihab El Sherif, wished the people of the region peace and security.
Emanuel Dorenstein from Shimon Rokach Lodge, received an Award for
his contribution to the community .

We take the opportunity to express our deep appreciation to Mentor of
B`nai B`rith Israel and vice President B`nai B`rith International, the honorable
sister, Pnina Bor, who organized and directed the evening, to Tchiya Ben Yehuda, Chairman of the Tel Aviv Central Council, and all those who assisted
them.

 

 A extraordinary General Meeting, gathered On Monday Janaury 21  for the approval of B`nai B`rith  Constitution , B`nai B`rith House in Tel Aviv.
. I acted as the chairman and my deputies were Alon Zafrir,
member of the board of Directors and organizer of the Constitution Committee and Amnon Kaminsky. The secretary of the conference was
Nurit Verveer . Meetings of the Constitution Committee headed by myself
were carried out during the past 1.1/2 years in order to sum and approve
changes in the Constitution. In the committee participated: Chava Inbar, Alon Zafrir, Yaakob Amit and Uri Shimshoni. I express my gratitude to all members
of the committee.

During the Meeting  Alon Zafrir explained every item , the suggested changes and the arguments. After every item the participants took a vote.

The Meeting approved the changes in the Constitution, which will
be forwarded to  non-profit associations Registration.

After  termination of the extraordinary General Meeting , the meeting of the B`nai Brith  Council was held. It was the first council meeting for 2002. As chairman acted Brother Amnon Kaminski. First to report was  Treasurer Itzhak Hacohen  who presented a budget proposal for 2002 , which was handed out to the participants. The Treasurer reported of changes in  2001 budget which were approved by the Board of Directors. He emphasized the need to deepen the collection of capitation fees from the lodges to the central lodge. After giving his rapport the treasurer asked to be released of his duties as Treasurer of B`nai B`rith, due to the load of his activities.

 

I thanked the Treasurer for his devoted work during the period when he held his post. I could see no way to convince him, as he explained to me earlier that he started his Academic studies at the University of Tel Aviv. I requested a volunteer among participants for a short while until we shall find a replacement.  Igaal Shamir, vice president, took upon himself temporarily
the job of Treasurer, a fact which has been approved by the Council.

 

The Chairman of the Financial Committee, brother Yehuda Holander gave
his report on work done by the committee. The Chairman of the Control Committee, brother David Marmonchik gave a detailed report of his committee. The participants asked questions and were answered accordingly.

 

Meetings held at three Regional Councils

* I took part at a meeting of Regional Councils Haifa and the North,
held on Tuesday January 22, with the participation of the Hon.Brother
Harry Zesler, ex v/President B`nai B`rith International, Hon.Sister
Estie Shiber, v/President B`nai B`rith Israel and  Brother Nati Eliash,
Chairman of Haifa Regional Council. It was a first meeting between
people of the Academic world and volunteers in the community, held at
Haifa University. We started the meeting with a tour of the Hecht Museum.
Later on refreshments were served and we gathered at the Auditorium.

 

The evening was opened and directed by Amos Eilat, the spokesperson of the University and a brother in B`nai B`rith Israel, to whom we owe the credit of the meeting.

 

The President of the University Prof. Yehuda Hayut, congratulated the
participants and praised the continuation of such meetings.

Our Hon.Brother Harry Zesler, who acts as a member of the University
Council of Friends,  ex vice President of B`nai B`rith International
and a member in the Hecht Museum, greeted the participants. Dr. Moti Golan
gave an academic lecture. The meeting ended with a performance
of an Opera singer and a pair of Salon dancers. I congratulated the participants and stressed the importance of education and moral behavior of the young generation, especially those attending the  University, who will, in future, decide upon the future of our nation and its strength. I addressed my Brothers and Sisters of  B`nai B`rith, saying that we were not exempted from giving an example in our behavior which would  reflect others.                                    

                 

* The traditional annual meeting of the lodges of the North, was hosted
this year by Dakar-Patria Lodge of Kiryat Yam , whose President is
Meir Bandori. The meeting took place  on the  30th anniversary of  the Lodge, 28th Janaury- Tu Bishvat. Day.

More than 200 brothers and sisters, Deputies  Kalman Vachtel and
Estie Shiber, Chairman of Zafon Regional Council, ex-chairman
Baruch Bronkash attended. The Mayor of Kiryat Yam, Mr. Benny Stalkol participated at the event and praised the contribution of the lodge to the community.

 

As I was unable to attend the event, I sent a letter to the Chairman of the
Regional Council Zafon, Sister Michal Semadar Dayan, stressing the
great importance of such gatherings. I congratulated Dakar- Patria Lodge
on her 30th birthday. This lodge reminds us of the days of illegal immigration
and the struggle to defend our shores. During the celebration was read the letter of Pnina Bor, congratulating the participants and the brothers and sisters of Dakar-Patria Lodge. The artistic program included a performance of the Kiryat Yam Youth Orchestra and a group of Ethiopian youth who described their bond to Israel. Two sisters of Dakar-Patria lodge received an  award. The evening ended with a performance of the representative
song group of Kiryat Yam “Galei Shir” with Israeli songs. The audience enjoyed a wonderful evening.                                             

 

* On Janaury 29, I participated in a meeting of 9 lodges of Regional Council Sharon , which took place at the Em Hamoshavot/ Havazelet Hasharon  Lodges in Petach Tikva with  President Yoseffa Markus-Fish and President Arie Promovitz , under the initiative of Chairman of the Council Zipora Peer. It was the first time that the Regional Council Sharon met in the presence of all lodges.  Every lodge was headed by its President, the receiver of an award and a group of brothers and sisters from the lodges, who came to honor the receivers of the awards. It was moving to hear about their contribution and  see the affection in which they were received.

 

The mayor of Petach Tikva, Mr. Itzik Ochayon handed personally the awards to the Petach Tikva lodges and added warm words about B`nai B`rith organization in his town. His wife Dalia Ochayon, who is the chairman of voluntary organizations in Petach Tikva ,added  quotations from the Bible.  I congratulated the initiative and the participants and stressed the importance of a personal example of B`nai B`rith sisters and brothers voluntary work,
namely,  “watch me and follow my steps”.

 

The honorable sister Pnina Bor, B`nai B`rith Intenational vice president,
congratulated and stressed the wonderful work of the lodges. Zipora Peer,
Chairman of the Regional Council, said that it was good to see that the lodges of the council cooperate, and find many talents and a lot of good will.

 

Took part at the event: Vice President Igaal Shamir , David and Hana
Mushinsky of the Board of Directors, and the chairman of the following
Regional Councils: Techiya Ben Yehuda – Tel Aviv Centre, Dalia Agmon -
Gush Dan and Eliezer Rot – Shomron .

 

We have received a heart-warming letter from the member of Knesset
     David Tal, from Shas Movement,

chairman of the labor, welfare and  health committee:

 

     He writes as follows:

“ In a family of 13, father being the only provider and me at a cross-road,
  wondering  whether to start working or continue my studies.
  The temptation to start working was big because I had to help my
   father providing for the family. My father wanted me to study but did not
  have money (although I have passed my Seker exams and was exempted
  from tuition fees, still there were many expenses.) Then I was informed
  by my tutor that he recommended me for a scholarship so that I should be
  able to continue my studies. I did not know then how much the scholarship,
  though a modest one, could change the course of my life. When I received
  the scholarship I continued my studies in a professional high school “Ort”
  in Rehovot. I have no doubt that without that “push” my life would have
  been completely different. This proves what a scholarship can do.”

 

To B`nai B`rith Order and all those acting for the promotion and
      encouragement of students.

Well done !

 

 

 

 

 

Fraternally

 

Arie Bar Zion

President B`nai B`rith Israel