Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on April 17, 2019

In 1843, Henry Jones and 11 other German-Jewish immigrants gathered in Sinsheimer's Caf on New York's Lower East Side to confront what Isaac Rosenbourg, one of B'nai B'rith's founders, called "the deplorable condition of Jews in this, our newly adopted country."

Thus, B'nai B'rith (children of the covenant) was born.

The original members' first concrete action was creating an insurance policy that awarded members' widows $30 toward funeral expenses, and a stipend of one dollar a week for the rest of their lives. Each child would also receive a stipend and, for male children, assurance he would be taught a trade.

It is from this basis of humanitarian aid and service that a system of fraternal lodges and chapters grew in the United States and, eventually, around the world.

Many of the earliest achievements of B'nai B'rith represented firsts within the Jewish community, including aid in response to disasters:

B'nai B'rith involvement in international affairs dates to the 1870s when anti-Semitism reached new heights in Romania. Through the influence of B'nai B'rith, the U.S. government established a consulate there, and a former B'nai B'rith president, Benjamin Peixotto, was appointed the first consul.

B'nai B'rith was present at the founding of the United Nations in San Francisco and has taken an active role ever since as an NGO (nongovernmental organization) advocating for Israel and human rights at the U.N. and other international organizations.

With the graying of the American-Jewish population, service to seniors became a major focus in 1971. In that year B'nai B'rith opened its first senior residence in what would become a network of 40 senior residences in more than 25 communities across the United States and internationally. B'nai B'rith is the largest national Jewish sponsor of housing for seniors.

B'nai B'rith International has not moved far from its roots, but rather allowed these roots to grow in more than 50 countries worldwide. No other Jewish organization can point to a longer, more all-encompassing history of service to Jews and all people around the world.

In 2011, Wayne State University Press published Professor Cornelia Wilhelm's book, "The Independent Orders of B'nai B'rith and True Sisters: Pioneers of a New Jewish Identity 1843-1914" about the origins of B'nai B'rith.

To read a sample from the book,click here for the PDF. Content courtesy of Wayne State University Press.

B'nai B'rith International2020 K Street, NW, 7th FloorWashington, DC 20006Phone: 202-857-6600Toll-free Phone: (888) 388-4224Web: http://www.bnaibrith.orgEmail: [emailprotected]

Source: B'nai B'rith International

Read more:
B'nai B'rith International - Jewish Virtual Library

Category: B'nai B'rith
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