Opii B'nai B'rith Priorities I vantage ow prices on NITE 60 different colors to choose from FLOORS KEEGO HARBOR, MICHIGAN 48320 248.681.6460 SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED SINCE 1971 22 December 24 2009 feel fortunate that, early on in my life, I found a cause to be pas- sionate about — the good works of B'nai B'rith International. I have been an active member for nearly 45 years; and now, as a newly elected senior vice president of the , international organization, I have an added respon- sibility to the Jewish and global communities. New leadership offers any organization an amaz- ing opportunity to zero in on priorities and goals. There is much to do as B'nai B'rith International enters its 167th year of service and advocacy. Iran, the world's leading state sponsor of terrorism, poses a very real threat to Israel and the rest of the world. As the very nucleus of instabil- ity in the world today, Iran must be at the top of our priority list. How seri- ously do we need to take the threat from Iran? The regime is led by a president who vows to wipe Israel off the map, who denies the Holocaust and who foments unrest around the world. And now, with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's growing influence across Latin America — our back door — the threat is even more pressing. Iran repeatedly defies the United Nations and continues to pursue nuclear weapons, in the open and in secret. Ahmadinejad just announced plans to build 10 more nuclear enrichment facilities. If that's what he's doing publicly, it's chilling to think what he's still keeping secret. The international community, through the United Nations Security Council (the United States, China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, plus Germany), has offered Iran incredibly favorable terms — none of them accepted — during recent nego- tiations over its uranium enrichment program. Tehran's dithering, dodging and dawdling on negotiations and agreements clearly demonstrates it has no intention of living up to any treaty or to accept any international obliga- tions for non-proliferation. And, in the midst of efforts to appease Tehran, Iran continues to inch ever closer to creating nuclear weapons. The international community must be united and vigilant in impos- ing harsh, restrictive sanctions that isolate Iran. B'nai B'rith presses this message in meetings with world leaders and U.S. law- makers; with White House officials; and at the United Nations. We will work to ensure Iran is also at the top of the world's agenda. Domestically, issues such as senior housing and Medicare are at the forefront of B'nai B'rith's efforts. B'nai B'rith International is the largest national Jewish sponsor of hous- ing for lower-income older Americans. Ensuring that seniors of limited means have access to safe housing is a commitment we meet every day. But the housing we spon- sor (more than 4,500 apartments in 26 cities in the United States, not to mention what we host in other nations) gives our residents more than a place to live. These buildings become a home, a family and a sup- port system for our residents. Within the next 20 years, about one-quarter of all Americans will be older than 65. The magnitude of issues seniors face will increase drastically as the senior popula- tion expands. As life spans increase, economic concerns become more pressing. And as people live longer, ensuring they can live safely in their own homes takes on added signifi- cance. Building upon our successful, long history in this arena, B'nai B'rith works on these issues every day. These two issues are just a small part of a vast portfolio of good works that propelled me into B'nai B'rith some four decades ago. As I begin my term as senior vice president, I recognize that our work is cut out for us. But we are ready for the challenge. Visit us at www.bnaibrith.org . Fl Stephen B. Zorn is a West Bloomfield resident.