OUR HISTORY
B'NAI BRITH ORIGINS
Founded in the United States in 1843, B’nai B’rith is the oldest and largest international Jewish community service organisation, uniting Jewish people of all levels of religious belief and practice who share in the aims of Tikkun Olam (making the world a better place).
As key pillars of its history, B’nai B’rith is involved in supporting human rights and anti-discrimination, promoting multiculturalism and inter-religious understanding and social justice activities. The initial motto of the organisation was Benevolence, Friendship and Harmony. This has been modernised and made more relevant over the years, but these three words remain at the core of B’nai B’rith’s work.
Advocacy is still central to the tenets of B’nai B’rith Internationally. In 2022, a submission was made to the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee, Department of the Senate, into the Inquiry of partial Suspension of the Sanctions against Iran. B’nai B’rith supported the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry to fight against changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.
B’nai B’rith has co -signed a statement with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry calling upon the Australian Government to give formal recognition to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to announce that the Australian Embassy currently located in Tel Aviv will in due course be relocated to Jerusalem.
B’nai B’rith has also been active in advocating for the reform of the treatment of Asylum Seekers.
At the grass roots level, B’nai B’rith delivers community welfare services such as youth and young adults programs, senior citizens’ housing and financial support for educational services. These projects reach out into the wider community for the benefit of all Australians and New Zealanders.
Via the Israel Commission B’nai B’rith provides financial assistance to worthy organisations in the State of Israel.
B’nai B’rith International has accredited NGO status at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, and maintains representative offices in Jerusalem through the B’nai B’rith World Centre, and in Brussels to deal with issues relating to the European Union. Learn more at www.bnaibrith.org.
B’nai B’rith is organised into international districts. The District of Australia/New Zealand is overseen by the Board of Governors. Each region within this District has a President who is head of the Council which oversees the activities of their Region along with its affiliated entities.
B'NAI B'RITH'S HISTORY OF SERVICE TIMELINE
The first meeting of B’nai B’rith took place on Oct. 13, 1843, at Sinsheimer’s Café on New York City’s Lower East Side. Founded by Henry Jones and 11 other German Jewish immigrants, the fraternal society was dedicated to assisting new Jewish immigrants in adapting to their new community. All meetings were conducted in German. Isaac Dittenhoefer is selected the first president.
B'NAI B'RITH TODAY
Is a global movement of members, advocates and supporters committed to building a secure Jewish future by defending Israel, combating anti-Semitism and creating meaningful cultural and community programs. In addition, B’nai B’rith strives to ensure senior citizens are protected and that those impacted by disaster have the support needed to recover and rebuild.
OUR HISTORY
B'NAI BRITH ORIGINS
“B’nai Brith has taken upon itself the mission of uniting persons of the Jewish faith in the work of promoting their highest interest and those of humanity; of developing and elevating the mental and moral character of the people of our faith; of inculcating the purest principles of philanthropy, honour and patriotism; of supporting science and art; alleviating the wants of the poor and needy; visiting and caring for the sick; coming to the rescue of victims of persecution; providing for, protecting and assisting the aged, the widow and orphan on the broadest principles of humanity.”
– Preamble to the B’nai Brith Constitution circa 1843
B’nai B’rith is a not for profit organization involved in supporting human rights and anti-discrimination, promoting multiculturalism and inter-religious understanding and social justice activities. Today, the original motto of Benevolence, Friendship and Harmony has been modernised to Jewish Unity, Diversity & Continuity, but the basic principles of B’nai B’rith remain.
Advocacy is still central to the tenets of B’nai B’rith. A submission was made to the Foreign Affairs Defence and Trade Committee, Department of the Senate, into the Inquiry of partial Suspension of the Sanctions against Iran. B’nai B’rith supported the Executive Council of the Australian Jewry to fight against changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.
BBANZ has co -signed a statement with the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, which can be viewed here, calling upon the Australian Government to give formal recognition to Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to announce that the Australian Embassy currently located in Tel Aviv will in due course be relocated to Jerusalem.
B’nai B’rith has also been active in advocating for the reform of the treatment of Asylum Seekers.
At the grass roots level, B’nai B’rith delivers community welfare services such as youth and young adults programs, senior citizens’ housing and financial support for educational services. These projects reach out into the wider community for the benefit of all Australians and New Zealanders. Via the Israel Commission B’nai B’rith provides financial assistance to worthy organizations in the State of Israel.
B’nai B’rith International has accredited NGO status at the United Nations in both New York and Geneva, and maintains representative offices in Jerusalem through the B’nai B’rith World Centre, and in Brussels to deal with issues relating to the European Union. Learn more at www.bnaibrith.org.
B’nai B’rith is organized into international districts. At the local level The Board of Governors presides over Australia and New Zealand. Each state has a regional president who is head of the council which oversees the activities of the units.
Our mission is:
- to unite people of the Jewish faith in the work of promoting their highest interests and those of humanity;
- to develop and elevate the mental and moral character of the people of our faith;
- to inculcate the purest principles of philanthropy, honour and patriotism;
- to support science and art;
- to visit and attend the sick;
- to come to the rescue of victims of persecution, provide for, protect and assist the aged and the disadvantaged in our community on the broadest principles of humanity; and to pledge our support for the state of Israel.
