1. RE: B'nai B'rith's charitable activities (taken from its Web site)

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.

For more information about B'nai B'rith's work with IsraAID, email worldcenter@bnaibrith.org.

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.

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.

2. Most non-Orthodox Jews do NOT think Chasidim are crazy savages...although many feel they are rather embarrassing. Believe me, they are much more disgusted by rabidly anti-Zionist Jews of any kind...as opposed to those who feel free to question and criticize Israeli government policies.

3. I certainly hope Cassandra is the right name for me, since she was always right although never believed. And she was indeed a War Courtesan chosen by the High King Agamemnon himself, making it a rather flattering title.