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Moishe Smith
Moishe Smith of Ottawa, Canada, is the first non-U.S. citizen elected president of B'nai B'rith International. Smith has been active in B'nai B'rith - "an international Jewish organization committed to the security and continuity of the Jewish people and the State of Israel, defending human rights, combating anti-Semitism, bigotry and ignorance, and providing service to the community on the broadest principles of humanity" - for more than 30 years.
Smith has long focused on B'nai B'rith's public policy arena and has developed expertise on a broad range of issues. He led B'nai B'rith Canada's first-ever mission to the Soviet Union; served as Chair of the International Council of B'nai B'rith; Vice Chair of the Center for
Human Rights and Public Policy; and for many years served as a member of the B'nai B'rith Delegation to the World Zionist Organization.
Before being named President of BBI, Smith completed two terms as Chairman of the Executive. He also served two consecutive two-year terms as a Senior International Vice President. Professionally, Smith is in the food and hospitality industry, with restaurants across Canada and headquarters in Ottawa. Smith also sits on the board of the Ottawa Food Bank, the Ottawa Tourism & Convention Association, the Ottawa Restaurant Association, and the Canada Israel Committee.
Readers can send questions to: rosnersdomain@haaretz.co.il.
Last one, also from a reader:
Please see that he gets it.
Dear Mr. Smith,
Do you see anti-Semitism in North America as a problem - or is it mostly something of the past (clearly, europe is another story).
Thank you,
Ravi Tal
Mr. Tal, thank you for raising this important issue.
We all see, on a regular basis, horrific examples of antisemitic in
Europe, indeed, in many parts of the world. North America is not immune
to this rising tide of hate.
We have seen a significant increase in anti-Israel rhetoric and
activities as of late. And, anti-Israel activities often turn
antisemitic.
College campuses are a case in point. Anti-Israel bias turned to
antisemitism at Concordia University in Canada. The recent speech by
Iranian President Ahmadinejad at Columbia University in New York also
fanned the flames of hate.
Did you know that February 3-9 is Israel Apartheid Week around the
world? Again, it's only a short leap from anti-Israel sentiment to
antisemitism.
In communities around North America, Jewish cemeteries have been
desecrated, synagogues have been defaced, and antisemitic graffiti has
showered the streets. All are more common than they have been in
decades. These days, no part of the world is immune to antisemitism.
What are we doing about this? It is the goal of B'nai B'rith
International to use education programs, like Diverse Minds Youth
Writing Challenge and Enlighten America essay contests to teach tolerance to the next generation.
On college campuses, we are taking direct action through a joint program
with Alpha Epsilon Pi (AEPi), a historically Jewish fraternity; Kappa
Alpha Psi, a historically African-American fraternity; and B'nai B'rith.
A Black-Jewish Relations series of programs will be coming to a number
of U.S. campuses this spring to forge understanding, foster ongoing
relationships, and build on similarities rather than differences.
B'nai B'rith International continues to identify and undermine acts of
intolerance and antisemitism in North America and around the world. Our
work in support of tolerance and human rights continues at the
Organization of American States (OAS), the Organization for Security and
Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the United Nations, and before the
Canadian and U.S. governments. Unfortunately, our work is far from
done.
Moishe
Another one, this time from a reader:
Dear Mr. Smith,
Excuse me for this question, but what exactly is the role of B'nai Brith today and why to we still need it? I have the impression that there are more Jewish organizations working for Jews than there are Jews. Aren't abolishing organizations a part of this "new definition" we need for the Jewish world?
I know this might be a provocative question to ask you, and do not expect that you agree with me. But please, help me understand your point of view.
Thank you,
Gabriel Goold
Thank you Gabriel, for asking a truly important question. It'll allow me
to talk about an organization that I've been deeply involved in for more
than 25 years. And to address the very real issue of the relevancy of
B'nai B'rith, 165 years after it was founded.
First off, B'nai B'rith has been a ground breaking humanitarian, human
rights, and advocacy organization since 1843. Jewish unity is just as
important today as when a group of German immigrants established B'nai
B'rith to help Jewish widows and orphans. Today, BBI's reach extends to
more than 50 countries around the world. That's no small feat. In some
places, the small Jewish community of Uruguay comes to mind, B'nai
B'rith serves as the link to the broader Jewish community, and also
provides an umbrella to shield and protect a small Jewish population.
Today, B'nai B'rith, as it has since its inception, fights against
antisemitism and anti-Israel bias. We do this on our own, through
educational programs, and within a broader coalition of Jewish groups.
Sometimes, teaming up with other Jewish organizations gives us a bigger
voice.
And that actually leads to your comment, "I have the impression that here are more Jewish organizations working for Jews than there are Jews."
That's an interesting way to see things. But what I see is a wonderful array of Jewish groups, each with its own unique and important mission. Sure we overlap on some topics, such as fighting antisemitism. But there are so many issues central not just to the Jewish community, but to the broader global community, that different Jewish groups specialize in.
Having a wide range of Jewish groups concentrating on a wide range of subjects ensures lots of Jewish voices get heard. There's a home for every opinion. And this ensures the Jewish community stays vital in the world. I don't think "abolishing" Jewish organizations, as you put it, would or should be a part of any plan that could help Jews the world over. We are a small community, constantly having to watch our backs. Yet thanks to the dedicated work of so many Jewish groups, we not only look after our most basic issue - our survival - but we can also focus on helping our own community and helping others.
So back to what we do and why it's important. Another critical role we
fill is providing senior housing and advocacy on issues of concern to
seniors and their families. BBI is the largest national Jewish sponsor
of senior housing in the United States and operates nearly 50 fixed-income and market rate housing facilities worldwide. The United States government has even suggested our senior housing experts to foreign governments trying to deal with their own issues of senior housing.
We meet with law makers on a regular basis to ensure senior issues,
especially pertaining to healthcare, are front and center. BBI brings
programs and services to seniors and gives them the opportunity to take
control of their own futures.
Helping communities in crisis is an often overlooked, yet critical
resource we provide. B'nai B'rith has been engaged in disaster relief
since 1865. Our Disaster Relief Fund has provided aid to populations
affected by natural and man-made catastrophes around the world. Our
disaster relief is on a different scale and with a different focus than
that of organizations such as the Red Cross. Our focus is to help a
community get back on its feet, after immediate disaster relief groups
have tended to immediate needs of food and shelter, and have left. B'nai
B'rith continues to rebuild houses in New Orleans. We donated money to
synagogues and churches to help worshippers get back something important
to their spiritual needs. That's an ongoing commitment we make to
communities. After the tsunami in Southeast Asia, we helped fund
business cooperatives so residents could learn a new trade, or have a
place to continue the line of work they already knew before the tsunami
hit. After the fall 2007 earthquake in Peru, we sent medical teams to
help people with ongoing medical issues.
In world affairs, B'nai B'rith has a big voice at the United Nations.
BBI has served as an NGO (non governmental organization) at the United
Nations since its inception. In fact, B'nai B'rith is the only Jewish
organization with an office dedicated exclusively to United Nations
affairs. We meet with ambassadors and world leaders and give a voice to
Jewish communities and concerns.
Our World Center in Jerusalem serves as our eyes and ears in Israel.
It's the voice of the B'nai B'rith community to the Israeli government.
We provided books to Israel Defense Forces soldiers in 2006, so when
they had a small break from the war in Lebanon, they had a positive
distraction. This is one way we are making a difference in Israel.
But of course, this organization is only as strong its members and
supporters. The only way a group as old and established as B'nai B'rith
can continue to grow and thrive, and can continue to further the Jewish
cause, and pursue humanitarian issues and human rights, and stay
relevant, is to seek input and ideas from people - from both within and
outside our organization.
Gabriel, you demonstrated with your question how high the bar is for
B'nai B'rith and how important it is to hear from the community at
large. Thank you.
--Moishe
Dear Moishe,
And what will Israel have to do if it wants to play a role in this new partnership?
SR
Hi shmuel,
For such a partnership to work, Israel and the Diaspora both have
crucial roles to play.
The Diaspora must remain connected to Israel - the home for all Jews.
One way B'nai B'rith keeps open the dialogue between young people from
the U.S. and from Israel is through our Camp Passport program. Each of
the past five summers, Israeli children have attended one of two B'nai
B'rith summer camps, all expenses paid. The program allows Israeli
children between the ages of 10 and 16 who have been directly affected
by terrorism to recapture a bit of their childhood, while they learn
about American Jewish children, and in turn teach American kids about
life in Israel. Summer camp, a rite of passage for many American kids,
takes on an important context when Israeli children take part. The
program, heading into its sixth summer, enables American children and
Israeli children to learn about each other in a casual atmosphere.
Another wonderful partnership that we can talk about is the Birthright
program. Sending young Americans to Israel to see and feel first-hand
what Jews fight so hard for everyday is a brilliant program. But the two
weeks Americans spend there can't be the end of it. Many young Jews come
back feeling very connected to Israel, but that quickly wanes. We must
capitalize on those feelings. We can encourage on-going discussion
groups with those who have visited Israel to keep their attachment
alive. And perhaps there can be a reverse Birthright -- where Israeli
young people can visit other Jewish communities around the world to
learn how Jews outside of Israel celebrate their heritage and culture.
We can encourage modern-day pen-pals- through email, of course - where
young Israelis are paired with young Americans and they can learn about
day-to-day life in each other's countries.
Of course the government of Israel must be engaged in the education
process as well for such a partnership to work. Perhaps some sections
could be added to the school curriculum to really show Israeli youth how
Diaspora Jews helped in the creation of Israel. Seeing that Jews around
the world marched to establish the Jewish state, raised money for
Israel's defence, and sent people to visit - many of whom ended up
making aliyah, could be "news" to today's young Israelis. Israeli youth
can learn how American candidates for high office seek out the Jewish
community as a vital support network.
I am fortunate that in my position as B'nai B'rith International
president, I get to travel throughout Israel and meet a wide range of
Israelis, from government leaders to victims of terror attacks. I have
learned from my trips that Israelis have a keen understanding of how
deeply American Jews are attached to the Holy Land.
Moishe
Dear Moishe,
Let's expand this discussion by asking the following question:
It appears that the Jewish Diaspora, especially the younger generation, is moving away from Israel. Do you think there's a need for a new definition of the relations between the communities - maybe a new covenant - and what should it be?
Best
Rosner
Shmuel, I'm glad you brought this issue up.
Attracting the next generation to all things Jewish is a problem for every Jewish organization and the Diaspora communities generally: Attachment to Holocaust remembrance, to synagogues, to Jewish philanthropy and indeed to Israel are all issues of concern.
I believe the next generation views Israel as a strong, vibrant country, yet they have no attachment to the pioneering enterprise that helped build Israel into the strong country that it is today. I also don?t think that young people have a good understanding of the obstacles Israelis face in their daily lives. That?s where the disconnect is.
The concepts of aliyah and Zionism are not as palatable for them as they were for my generation.
The Diaspora must remain connected to Israel ? the home for all Jews.
I think a new partnership is in order. We can do this by assisting constantly and consistently with those who want to make aliyah. We must also undertake an educational process that encourages the next generation to forge strong Diaspora communities.
We should aim to introduce cross-cultural partnerships on a large scale. This would inspire younger people to advocate on behalf of Israel -- a concept that I would call modern Zionism.
Dear Moishe,
In a recent poll conducted by BBI, you've found that "there is strong consensus by the Israelis polled that the future of Jerusalem is an internal political issue and that Diaspora Jews should not have a role in decision-making about Jerusalem's status. Fifty-six percent versus 40 percent of those polled believe Jews outside of Israel should not have a say in the future of Jerusalem."
Do you agree with this position of the majority of Israelis? Do you see any role that Diaspora Jews should be playing in the discussion over the future of Jerusalem? What should it be?
Thank you,
Shmuel
Thank you for inviting me to participate in this conversation, Shmuel.
I appreciate the opportunity.
The B'nai B'rith International poll that you are referring to yielded some very thought-provoking results on a variety of topics, and I found the poll results very interesting.
On the particular question that you ask, I believe that the Jewish community in the Diaspora has been committed to a united Jerusalem for decades. While I respect the views of the citizens of Israel, Jerusalem is central to the being of every Jew, wherever they live.
Israel isn't a country unlike any other. Israel as a country has
stakeholders, not only from within the country, but from outside the country - all over the world.
While the ultimate decision will be in the hands of the citizens of
Israel, we in the Diaspora not only want to express our opinion, we have a right and indeed a duty to have an opinion.
Moishe
Moishe,
I need a follow up on this one: everybody has the right to an opinion on any matter. The question, though, is whether you expect your opinion to have some impact on decisions made by the Israeli government.
If you - what impact, and how do you expect this to happen?
SR
A good follow-up question, Shmuel.
We hope Diaspora Jews have some impact on decisions, or at least on the thought-processes that Israeli Jews are using to make decisions about Israel and Jerusalem. Though Diaspora Jews of course don't live in Israel, we support Israel, emotionally and financially. It's the homeland of all Jews.
How this impact could happen could be through talking with Israelis, sharing our ideas, meeting with officials to share our ideas. Also perhaps, by holding information forums in the Diaspora communities, where Israeli government officials, Israeli citizens, and Diaspora Jewry all have an opportunity to exchange ideas, so that we all could understand one another's opinions.
I am convinced that the citizens of Israel and the Jews of the Diaspora are on the same page when it comes to the future of Israel and Jerusalem.
The final decision is still in the hands of our brothers and sisters in
Israel. We just need to be part of the debate.
Moishe
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