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BENOT BERT
1937 - 2023
Benoit Berit "Judith" is a Greek Women's Jewish Non-Profit Association and carries out charitable work which it has undertaken since its foundation in 1937. It is a member of B'nai B'rith Europe. At the same time, as far as possible, it does not neglect to promote actions that are in line with the imperatives set by B'nai B'rith Europe.
As an example only, we mention that the assistance of the "Judith" Association to the Hebrew School of Athens, the Jewish Museum of Greece and the Etz Hayim Synagogue of Chania, as well as the organization of lectures and exhibitions on issues of Greek Jewish Heritage, are part of the target action for the promotion of the Jewish identity and getting to know the Cultural Jewish Heritage of each country.
The establishment of the International and European B'nai B'rith
B'nai B'rith International was founded in 1843 in New York and has been represented in Europe for 160 years. In 1999 the various B'nai B'rith groups, which had been operating for years in the United Kingdom and Continental Europe, came together and formed B'nai B'rith Europe (BBE), which is a member of the international organization.
BBE has its headquarters in Brussels and falls under the status of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO), with representatives in the official bodies of Europe - European Commission, United Nations Organization in Geneva and UNESCO in Paris.
B'nai B'rith Europe serves activities based on the principles of Humanism and the tripartite Charity - Brotherly Love - Harmony. Based on these principles, its actions are harmonized with the imperatives defined by the era and the events that characterize it. This means that actions do not remain static but adapt.
Apart from the invariable action, which is Aid to the Destitute, the following very important actions are included in the objectives of the BBE.
Promotion of Jewish Identity.
Promotion in Europe of getting to know Jews and Judaism.
Fight against racism and especially against anti-Semitic tendencies.
Strengthening the relations of European Jews with the State of Israel.
Promotion of the public's acquaintance with the European Jewish Heritage
Promotion of understanding and good cooperation between European Organizations and the State of Israel.
Benoit Berit "Judith" it exists today in Greece because it was served by women with reverent devotion, much love, self-denial, invisible presence, sobriety, modesty, composure, sobriety and determination. In particularly difficult times for Greece and Jewry, the women of Benoit offered service and care according to the spirit of the organization and the needs of each period. These women have kept it fighting for more than 80 years to hand it over modernized, humble and efficient to the younger generation so that it can proudly continue its historical meritorious social work.
In 2015, after a General Assembly of the members of the union, the decision was made to donate the property owned by Benoit to the Israelite Community of Athens. The only condition that was set and accepted was that the income from the rents of the property be allocated to the needs of the Social Solidarity of the Community.
Benoit's intentions are to gather the necessary data to publish in the future a historical review of the Society's activity and to highlight the personality of the women who led it by honoring with their work a leading organization of Judaism.