>> ... Next Generation ...

Lay leaders shine at
ADL Glass Leadership Conference.

t the end of April, 13 Sills Family/
Glass Leadership participants
boarded a plane for the Anti-
Defamation League's National
Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C. The
three-day conference offered great speakers,
education and the opportunity to lobby
members of Congress at Capitol Hill.
The Summit began at 2 p.m. on Sunday,
April 27, and programming was constant until
2 p.m. Tuesday (admittedly, there were a few
hours each night to sleep). Each day brought
different speakers, presentations and new
opportunities.
The first day consisted of
breakout panels on different
subjects, such as ADL's law and
enforcement assistance, anti-
Semitism and anti-Zionism.
Participants had the chance to
ask questions.
"The morning began with a
walk through our history. As the
sun set we gathered to defend
our future," said conference-goer
Ryan Beale of Huntington Woods.
FBI Director James Comey
spoke, in part, about terrorism
within the United States,
hate-based crimes and the FBI's role. He
emphasized the collaboration between the
bureau and the ADL, stressing the shared
goals of protecting lives and liberties of fellow
citizens, of uniting against crime and terrorism,
and promoting and defending freedom.
"I was taken aback by James B. Comey's
speech today and really took in one of his
quotes: 'Patience is more than a virtue it's a
necessity, - said attendee Melissa Burstein
Gordon of Bloomfield Hills. "This holds great
meaning, and I will definitely make sure to
remind myself of this in my day-to-day life."
Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez spoke with
fiery passion about civil rights obstacles still
present in the United States and the ADL's
steadfast commitment to addressing such
issues. Conference participants also heard from
Deputy Secretary of State William Burns and
District of Columbia Police Chief Cathy Lanier,
both of whom were honored by the ADL for
their years of service to the United States.
Congressmen, businessmen, lay leaders,
professionals, journalists, lobbyists and
others offered their views on top civil rights
issues, such as the Voting Act Amendment,
immigration reform, freedom of speech on
social network platforms and more.
Conveying the details of each speaker,
each panel and each presentation is almost

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impossible — and certainly not practical. The
substance and significance of the conference,
on the other hand, should be shared.
The conference showed the true spirit and
force of the ADL. I was most impressed, not
with the speakers and guests, but with the lay
leaders. There are relatively few staff members
in the organization, which means the lay
leaders are not simply ceremonial figures.
Yes, the ADL professionals are experts
in their fields and work tirelessly around
the clock. Abraham Foxman is impressive,
influential and a living legend.
"For Foxman, building a tolerant society is
explicitly linked with preventing
an atrocity like the Holocaust from
happening again," said conference
participant Alexis Zimberg of
Detroit. "He talks about the ADL
as different from other human
rights organizations, as one with
important Jewish ties that need to
be in the forefront. He notes the
critical importance of speaking
up against injustice and gives
examples, Albania and Bulgaria,
two places where dissent saved
tens of thousands of Jews during
World War Two. I hope that the
ADL of the future maintains Mr. Foxman's clear
urgency."
There is no doubt that Mr. Foxman is the
leader and voice of the ADL, but a voice is
nothing without the heart and the body. The
ADL construct would not continue to excel
without the passion and dedication of lay
leaders.
The convention was not about grand-
standing, sales pitches or even fundraising.
The purpose of the conference was to give us,
the participants, the knowledge and resources
necessary to continue to expand ADL's mission,
to show a united front and to address the
challenges of our community.
This purpose was exemplified by our visits to
three embassies and 70 congressional offices.
We made our presence known. We made
our positions heard. We stood and continue to
stand for a better country and a better world,
one in which we can all live without hate.
"At first, I wasn't sure if I was going to
be able to attend," said Elana Weinstein
of Farmington Hills. "I'm so glad I took the
chance. I can honestly say that being here
has opened my eyes up to the importance of
ADL." ❑

Matthew Levine of Pleasant Ridge is a Stills

Ambassador Ron Dermer talks about the State of Israel and its

relationship with the U.S.

Glass Leaders were prepped on how to lobby on Capitol Hill by ADL
and congressional staffers.

Glass Leadership Conference attendees: Ryan Gordon, Ryan Beale,
Co-Chair Matt Bertman, Brian Kaufman, Roman Solshteyn, ADL
Events Manager Jaimee Wine, Melissa Burstein Gordon, Sara
Bloomberg, ADL Regional Director Heidi Budaj and Alexis Zemberg.

Family/Glass Leadership participant.

May 22 • 2014

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