Leonard Simon, past president of the Brighton-Atlantic Unit of B’nai B’rith (left), presents William Peirez, president of the Metronorth Region of B’nai B’rith, with a “Hamsa – Hand of G-d-Evil Eye” pictorial during an Oneg Shabbat held at Temple Beth El in Manhattan Beach.
Howard Bonderoff, Brighton-Atlantic Unit of B’nai B’rith incumbent president and Stephen Modell, immediate unit past president, shared in the moment.
Peirez spoke about the good deeds and services that B’nai B’rith has accomplished throughout the world for the past 166 years. Some of the organizations outlined included B’nai B’rith’s Senior Citizen Projects, helping seniors with various issues; Project Hope, providing for the poor and needy; the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, which helps Jewish teenagers and young adults; the Hillel Foundation of B’nai B’rith, which assists Jewish college kids on college campuses around the world; the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, which tries to prevent bigotry and discriminations to all peoples; and the support of a continued free and independent State of Israel with Jerusalem as its undivided capital were programs nurtured from and are continually supported.
After services, the Brighton-Atlantic Unit sponsored a collation. However, the joyous celebration quickly turned to sadness that afternoon as the congregation learned that the synagogue’s spiritual leader, Rabbi Cotel, passed away. May his memory be a blessing.
Temple Beth El is located at 111 West End Avenue.
