B'nai B'rith International (BBI) has a lifetime history of humanitarian aid. Nearly 165 years ago, a dozen German-Jewish immigrants gathered on New York's Lower East Side to confront what they called "the deplorable condition of Jews in this, our newly adopted country."
B'nai B'rith grew out of their decision to create an insurance policy to award members' widows $30 toward funeral expenses, a stipend of one dollar a week for the rest of their lives, a stipend for each child, and assurance a male child would be taught a trade.
In the 1860's, B'nai B'rith first raised funds for disaster relief, assisting victims of devastating Baltimore floods. Its first international assistance project provided funds to Moses Montefiore in 1865 to assist victims of a cholera epidemic in what was then Palestine.
Humanitarian aid is one way B'nai B'rith maintains its commitment to tikkun olam, or healing the world. Then, as today, when disasters — natural and manmade — strike in the United States or around the globe, B'nai B'rith raises funds and provides appropriate and ongoing help to those affected. Working independently or in partnership with other nonprofit organizations, B'nai B'rith is there at the onset of a disaster and there to help when most others have moved on.
B'nai B'rith Aid Around the Globe
BBI continues to launch aid efforts around the globe. One of B'nai B'rith's most important strategic partnerships is with the Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid (IsraAID). Thirty-five Israeli and Jewish organizations — including the B'nai B'rith World Center in Jerusalem — joined forces in 2002 under IsraAID to respond to both man-made and natural catastrophes by providing on-the-ground Israeli non-governmental humanitarian and disaster aid everywhere. IsraAID builds on a long tradition of international assistance initiated by the State of Israel almost since its founding.
Most recently, B'nai B'rith partnered with IsraAID to send an emergency medical team to Peru in August, 2007, following the devastating earthquake in that country. The team, consisting of seven volunteers from FIRST — the Fast Israel Rescue and Search Teams — treated 1,500 people in poor, remote areas over a 10-day period.
In 2007, B'nai B'rith participated in an IsraAID joint relief team to Kenya where 180,000 refugees, almost all Muslim Somalis, remain on the border of Somalia. This was the first Israeli relief team to ever access this remote and volatile area of Kenya since refugees began flowing across the boarder 15 years ago. Acting in close consultation with the United Nations, the team provided clothing to 3,500 children.
In an effort to continue a tradition of humanitarian aid and improve Israel-U.N. relations, IsraAID and Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the Awareness Seminar on U.N. Aid Agencies. The event's purpose was to provide Israelis with information on employment opportunities with various U.N. aid agencies that are a critical part of disaster relief efforts.
Some of IsraAID's most important work was done in Sri Lanka – the country hardest hit by the Southeast Asian tsunami in December 2004. IsraAID was one of the first civilian teams to arrive, providing food and basic necessities, then moving on to building shelter and rebuilding lives and livelihoods. IsraAID maintained a presence in Sri Lanka for three years.
B'nai B'rith International also works closely with the Brothers Brother Foundation, located in Pittsburgh, to provide medical relief to those in need because of disaster or economic crisis. Since 2002, BBI, in partnership with the Brothers Brother, has brought more than $64 million worth of medicines and supplies to Latin America through a program called Communities in Crisis. Click here for more information on this program.
B'nai B'rith and Disaster Relief
In August 2005, the Gulf Coast of the United States experienced the most destructive hurricanes in U.S. history - Katrina and Rita. Through its B'nai B'rith Gulf Coast Hurricane Relief Fund, B'nai B'rith raised more than $1.1 million to assist the victims of these deadly storms.
Initial emergency response provided food and medicines. More than two years later, BBI funding continues to bring assistance to support housing, health projects, the rebuilding of houses of worship, and the rebuilding of lives.
In the last year, victims of the floods in Mexico and the fires in Greece and California have received aid and assistance. Click here to read more about the B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief Fund.
B'nai B'rith Israel Emergency Fund
In summer 2006, the BBI Israel Emergency Fund aided Israeli victims, evacuees, and soldiers fighting the Hezbollah bombings. Families and children in northern Israel were forced into ill-equipped emergency shelters. The fund sent items, including air conditioners, computers, and indoor gym and play equipment. Israeli soldiers received books and letters of support from B'nai B'rith as part of the Sifrut (literature) for Soldiers Project.
