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B’NAI B’RITH TODAY
Three Generations of B’nai B’rith Leadership,
One Strong Belief in “Giving Back”
By B’nai B’rith Planned Giving Staff
Eric Book’s parents provided a strong Jewish foundation
for him and his siblings, deeply rooted in the value and
importance of charity and giving back to the community.
Another strong influence on Eric’s Jewish identity was the
pluralistic yeshiva where he went to middle school outside
Philadelphia. Eric fondly remembers the challenging
curriculum and writing book reports in Hebrew. While
there, he also developed an important connection to Israel.
This education, along with the upbringing provided by his
parents and involvement in BBYO, cemented a future of
charitable involvement in the Jewish community and the
community at large.
Eric was born in Montclair, New Jersey, one of six children.
His father, Milton, was an electrical engineer. His mother,
Eileen, was a bookkeeper for the family business, and later for
an attorney in California. His family moved several times, but,
wherever they lived, they were active in their local synagogue.
In college, Eric studied political science, 20th century
political thought and biology. Pursuing a pre-med
curriculum, he also worked nights in the restaurant industry.
He was an active member of AEPi, a Jewish fraternity, where
he continued his charitable work.
Soon after graduating from California State University,
Northridge, in 1975 with a degree in political science, Eric
joined the B’nai B’rith Lodge in Encino, in California’s San
Fernando Valley, where he had moved to enjoy the beautiful
weather and be closer to his newly relocated parents. Initially,
he was interested in the lodge’s bowling night and other social
activities. He wouldn’t have guessed that weekly bowling
would eventually lead to a lifetime of leadership with B’nai
B’rith, both locally and internationally.
In 1981 Eric became president of the lodge, where his
father and one of his brothers also later served as presidents.
Since then, Eric has served as a member of the Board of
Governors; vice president of District 4; vice president of
finance, Southern California Region; member of the U.S.
Leadership Council; B’nai B’rith International Leadership
chair; and member of the Executive Board of Directors and
the B’nai B’rith Foundation Board. He is currently the vice
chair of the B’nai B’rith Foundation of the United States.
Eric Book, who joined B’nai B’rith in 1975, says that assuming a
leadership position in the organization has positively impacted his
life in many ways. Committed to B’nai B’rith’s mission and future,
he is a longtime member of the 1843 Society.
Professionally, Eric has been a financial consultant since
1976 and has been with Morgan Stanley since 1983 as a
first vice president, financial advisor and senior investment
management consultant.
Additionally, Eric has served twice as board chair of
the Child and Family Guidance Center in Northridge,
California, and also served as president of Magen David
Adom, Israel’s national ambulance and blood-services
organization, for the West Coast.
32 WINTER 2019