Pays Tribute to Retiring CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin

Honors Retiring Associate Executive Vice President Mark Olshan

Holds International Board of Governors Meeting

During a gala tribute to retiring CEO Daniel S. Mariaschin, B’nai B’rith proudly launched the Daniel S. Mariaschin Institute for Leadership and Public Policy.

The Institute is named in honor of Daniel S. Mariaschin, whose decades of leadership as CEO have helped shape B’nai B’rith’s global voice on human rights, diplomacy and Jewish communal advocacy. Mariaschin is retiring from B’nai B’rith on June 30.

The tribute was held in conjunction with the organization’s International Board of Governors meeting.

“We’re tremendously pleased that we could convene our international leadership for this special board meeting. It has been a great opportunity to re-connect, and to discuss issues high up on our public policy and organizational agenda,” Mariaschin said. “Additionally, I am particularly grateful to B’nai B’rith, its officers, board members, colleagues and friends, for the special tribute on the occasion of my retirement. It has given Michal and me an opportunity to say a heartfelt ‘thank you’ in person, for the privilege of working at B’nai B’rith for 38 years and leading it for 27.” He told family, friends and colleagues at the tribute in his honor, “Thank you for giving a guy from a tiny Jewish community in New Hampshire the tremendous opportunity to serve…the Jewish people writ large.”

Throughout his distinguished career, Mariaschin has been a tireless advocate for Israel, a leading challenger of anti-Semitism, and a deeply respected analytical voice appreciated by each U.S. administration, the State of Israel, countries around the globe, in international forums, at the United Nations, UNESCO, the Organization of American States and in the U.S. Congress.

“The Daniel S. Mariaschin Institute for Leadership and Public Policy reflects B’nai B’rith’s expanding role in cultivating the next generation of leadership, influencing global policy discussions, and engaging decision-makers on issues critical to the Jewish people and democratic values worldwide and underscores our commitment to defending human rights and to both shaping policy and preparing leaders to meet the challenges of our time,” B’nai B’rith International President Robert Spitzer had stated. He also talked about how much working with Mariaschin meant to him personally. Spitzer noted, “I know when there’s a challenge facing B’nai B’rith or the Jewish world…calling you and talking about it, I will always get great counsel. Thoughtful counsel.”

Seymour D. Reich, honorary president of B’nai B’rith International and former chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, who also helped establish the Daniel S. Mariaschin Institute told tribute event attendees, “It’s been a pleasure to have been part of the legacy of Dan Mariaschin.”

Phyllis Greenberg Heideman, president of the International March of the Living and former chair of the B’nai B’rith Klutznick National Jewish Museum, who served along with Reich and Richard D. Heideman as a chair of the tribute event honoring Mariaschin, said that the retiring CEO has educated countless people and described his knowledge as “boundless.” She also noted to Mariaschin, “Your legacy will live long. The legacy you leave us is one of compassion, understanding and commitment,” and she stressed that his character is unsurpassed.

Richard D. Heideman, honorary president of B’nai B’rith, who helped announce the launch of the institute, said that around the Jewish world, the embassy world and the non-Jewish world, when Dan Mariaschin speaks, they listen. “He is a conscience…when we turned to him with difficult questions or even with minor points, we always got sage advice. And he was always spot on.” Heideman continued, “He never put himself first. It was always about the Jewish people. It was always about Israel. It was always about family. It was always about doing the right thing.” And later he added, “In honoring [Dan] we honor the Jewish people. In horning you, we honor the state of Israel.”

Speakers at the tribute gala included Malcolm Hoenlein, who served as CEO and executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations from 1986 until 2021. Hoenlein noted, since B’nai B’rith’s founding in 1843, the organization has been a beacon, “but that light has never shown more brightly then in Dan’s tenure.”

Also addressing the crowd was Elan Carr, who served as the United States special envoy for Monitoring and Combating anti-Semitism under President Donald Trump from 2019 to 2021. Carr is currently the CEO of the Israeli American Council. “There aren’t many deans of the Jewish world…Dan Mariaschin has been a dean of Jewish leadership for decades.” And Carr further stated, “I could not be a prouder or more grateful beneficiary of Dan’s friendship, mentorship, guidance but most of all, brotherhood.”

In addition to Reich and Heideman, honorary presidents in attendance included Allan Jacobs, Gary Saltzman, Chuck Kaufman and Seth Riklin. Peter Perlman, regional director for the Great Lakes Region and national advancement chair, served as the MC for the tribute event.

A special presentation of a medal created in Mariaschin’s honor was made by Francois Moyse, the president of the European Association for the Preservation and Promotion of Jewish Culture and Heritage. Moyse noted he presented the medal in “friendship first and foremost.”

Israel’s President Isaac Herzog appeared in a video greeting, thanking Mariaschin for his decades of work on behalf of Israel and the Jewish community. “You’ve been a key figure of so many of the defining moments that shaped us.” And Herzog further stated, “Again and again you have stood up for our people’s rights with clarity courage and conviction.”

Michal Mariaschin, Daniel S. Mariaschin’s wife, noted that he’s an amazing role model, and inspiration to family friends and the Jewish community worldwide.

The gala tribute was held in conjunction with the organization’s International Board of Governors meeting, where Associate Executive Vice President and Director of the Center for Senior Services Mark Olshan was also honored for his long service. Olshan is retiring on June 30 after 43 years with B’nai B’rith.

Olshan’s colleagues noted that through the B’nai B’rith seniors’ program, he was committed to the health, welfare and dignity of older adults.

Mariaschin noted of Olshan, “Mark never sought the spotlight, but he was always the person others looked to for reassurance, wisdom and perspective.”

Olshan talked about the core responsibilities of B’nai B’rith’s Center for Senior Services and its senior housing program, and how B’nai B’rith is dedicated to making the commitment to seniors stronger and strengthen the seniors programs going forward. “This is my life,” he added.

The two-days of events concluded at the Mission of the United States to the United Nations, with a discussion, featuring Ambassador Jeffrey A. Bartos, United States Representative for U.N. Management and Reform and Ambassador Jonathan Miller, Deputy Permanent Representative, Permanent Mission of Israel to the United Nations.