Letter of Appreciation from B'nai B'rith Kyiv

Alan Miller • February 28, 2026

B'nai B'rith in action

We have all read about the Russian bombardment of the electrical power generation infrastructure in Ukraine.


Just a few weeks ago Alan Silman, BBUK Ukraine Officer, received a plea from Svetlana Levitas, our contact in Kyiv, asking BBUK to help them buy a generator.


That evening, at the BB Cheshire AGM, he announced that we would be hoping to respond positively to their plea.


The Lodge instantly resolved to take up this challenge, circuated all members and within 24 hours over £1,000.00 was raised.


Since then, much more has actually been raised and the monies transferred last week to where it is urgently needed.


Pleasesee below the letter of appreciation below which has been sent by the BB Kyiv Lodge to Anna Hassan, Chairperson of B'nai B'rith Cheshire Lodge.


This is an example of how BBUK can act effectively and with great speed.


Alan Miller

President BBUK

22.02.2026


Dear Madam Anna!


With all our hearts, we want to express our deepest gratitude to you personally, to Alan Silman and all Brothers and Sisters from your Lodge, to Alan Miller and all friends of Bnai Brith Kyiv in Bnai Brith UK for your joint efforts, incredible help and support in collecting money to purchase a generator. We already pre-ordered it and as soon as it arrives we will send you the picture. Your kindness and generosity have a huge impact on life of the clients in our care during this incredibly difficult war time.



It is still very cold and snowy in Ukraine. Now, elderly people in Kyiv are living in conditions that are almost impossible to endure. Because of the war, many of them spend most of their days without electricity, often without water and heating. Constant power outages, cold homes, and empty taps turn every ordinary day into a struggle for survival. For older people in our project, whose health is already fragile, these conditions are especially cruel. It means being unable to cook a warm meal, to keep themselves from freezing, to charge a phone. Losing connection with the world is the biggest fear as they confess to project coordinator Iryna Levitas.


You may have seen in the news that elderly people in Ukraine are freezing to death in their own homes. Tragically, this is not an exaggeration—it is our painful reality. The war continues, our infrastructure is constantly damaged (the most recent attack happened last night in Kyiv, the ballistic missiles involved), and recovery takes enormous time and resources. People literally fall asleep not knowing if tomorrow there will be light, warmth, or water. This constant anxiety and exhaustion slowly wears everybody down.


In these harsh conditions, the generator you helped to provide means far more than equipment. Thanks to you, our project coordinator Iryna Levitas, accountant Susanna, and doctor Alexandra can continue their work for giving medicine and stay in touch with the clients, and our clients can charge their phones or their small personal medical equipment (if needed) and also they stay connected with their families, feel less alone, and feel protected. This generator you help to buy brings back a small but precious piece of normal life.


Because of the support of our Bnai Brith Brothers and Sisters from the UK, elderly people in our project for many years have been able to live with dignity, even when everything around them seems to be falling apart. We are deeply thankful to you for your open heart, for your trust, and for the many years you have stood beside those who need help the most. Your generosity gives people not only warmth and light, but also faith in kindness when uncertainty is everywhere.


May all the good you give to others return to you many times over!

With sincere gratitude and respect,


Felik Levitas, B'nai Brith Kyiv President

Iryna Levitas, Project Coordinator

Svitlana Levitas, Volunteer


By Jeremy Havardi February 11, 2026
Bureau of International Affairs Zoom Meeting with Dr Emanuele Ottolenghi
By Jeremy Havardi January 28, 2026
B'nai B'rith welcomes the return of Ran Gvili's body to Israel, fulfilling Israel's sacred mission to bring home all hostages from Gaza. Such news brings mixed emotions, given that Ran never had the chance to be reunited with his family in life, but we are thankful that he has been laid to rest. We are reminded of the immense sacrifices Israel makes to safeguard its citizens and the heavy price it must pay for peace. World leaders must now insist on the next phases of the plan for Gaza. They must demand the disarming of Hamas and the deradicalisation of Palestinian society, allowing new leadership to emerge that can genuinely build a better future for the inhabitants of that shattered enclave. We look forward to advocating a new pathway for Israelis and Palestinians that can bring both peoples peace, justice and prosperity. . Dr Jeremy Havardi Director, Bureau of International Affairs
January 11, 2026
B'nai B'rith UK salutes the courage and defiance shown by millions of brave Iranians as they take to the streets against their government. It is now clear that the demonstrations and protests are taking place in hundreds of cities across all of Iran's provinces as ordinary people vent their fury at an oppressive and tyrannical regime. They oppose Iran's economic mismanagement and corruption but also its strategy of spreading terror throughout the Middle East in the service of a hateful ideology. So many of these people want better relations with the West, especially with Israel, and lament their country's isolation on the international stage. But right now, they face a draconian crackdown that has reportedly claimed dozens of lives, though the true figure may not be known due to censorship. We call on all western governments to show solidarity with these brave Iranian citizens and condemn their government's murderous response. We call on the UK government to proscribe the IRGC and sanction all other state entities that spread terror. We look forward to the day when Iranians can express themselves as a free nation and co-operate with their neighbours in a new era of regional peace and prosperity. Dr Jeremy Havardi Director, Bureau of International Affairs
January 1, 2026
In his new January 2026 New Year Newsletter, National President Alan Miller reflects on events affecting the Jewish community in the UK and worldwide in recent months. This includes the terrorist attacks in Manchester and Sydney, as well as an update on Israel and Ukraine.
By Dr Jeremy Havardi December 18, 2025
B’nai B’rith UK welcomes the joint statement issued by the Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, which states that the forces will act decisively and make arrests if anti-Israel demonstrators use hateful chants in public. For two years, B’nai B’rith UK has spoken with the Metropolitan Police, ministers and MPs, urging them to take forceful action against those who chant for a ‘global intifada’. This phrase is a call to arms against Jews and we saw its lethal consequences at Bondi Beach three days ago. We now hope that the police will translate words into action and that their approach is adopted by police forces throughout the UK. While we welcome any positive development in protecting the Jewish community, we will continue to exhort the authorities to take more stringent measures to reduce antisemitism. This should include enhanced security at all Jewish communal events, preventing all anti-Israel marches near synagogues and prosecutions for preachers who verbally attack Jews and Zionism.
By LN040417 December 14, 2025
B’nai B’rith UK is devastated to hear of the appalling slaughter at the ‘Chanukah by the Sea’ event at Bondi Beach. We understand that 12 people have been killed and we would like to wish their families a long life, as well as a speedy recovery to the injured. Our thoughts are with the Jewish community in Australia at a time when so many were celebrating a festival of light and joy. For two years, there has been a tsunami of hatred directed at Jews in Australia, as there has been around the world. The authorities must tackle this scourge of hatred and prejudice with robust measures rather than words.
December 11, 2025
Heritage Days Zoom Meeting with Malcolm Singer
December 8, 2025
BB International have just published the Winter 2025 edition of their annual Magazine - here is the list of contents:
By Jeremy Havardi December 3, 2025
Bureau of International Affairs Zoom Meeting with Jayne Wynick
By LN040417 November 21, 2025
Bureau of International Affairs: recent articles in the Daily Express