The Anti-Defamation League’s Pacific Southwest Region held its 2015 Annual Gala Celebration on December 8 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. It was an evening filled with Chanukah spirit and, given local and world events, references to the important need for light over darkness. The event raised more than $850,000 to support ADL’s efforts to combat anti-Semitism and bigotry.
In his first Los Angeles public appearance since assuming the position of CEO and National Director in July, Jonathan A. Greenblatt reflected on the past months as a maelstrom “as our country lurches from crisis to crisis.” He sees ADL as playing a critical role, inspired by its timeless mission to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. “This enduring commitment has motivated us to fight for the disadvantaged and the marginalized, whether those were American Jews or African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, the LGBT community, and those of different faiths including Muslim Americans.”
Greenblatt outlined his goals for ADL going forward that include “dreaming big” and “making big bets.” He pledged to “creatively commit our individual energies and collective resources in new and impactful ways” to fight BDS (Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions) on campuses and in boardrooms, confront hate online and counter violent extremism, and speak out for the State of Israel and for other religious minorities in the Middle East who are threatened by extremists, “whether they are in the government ministries of Tehran or the killing fields of Syria.”
Consul General of Israel David Siegel welcomed everyone on behalf of the State of Israel and, in the spirit of Chanukah, noted that “we need ADL to continue to shine that light and teach all of us to be better citizens of the world.”
Three distinguished community leaders were honored at the Gala for excellence in their professional fields and their philanthropic endeavors.
Humanitarian Award recipients Gina Raphael and Jeffrey Gross own and manage Mickey Fine Pharmacy & Grill, a Beverly Hills institution. Jurisprudence Award recipient Christopher A. Murphy is Deputy General Counsel and Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs for DIRECTV, now part of AT&T.
In his acceptance remarks, Christopher A. Murphy used ADL’s oft-cited theme, “Imagine a World Without Hate,” to reflect on hard-fought changes in acceptance of the LGBT community, culminating in the Supreme Court decision on marriage equality. “This transformation is surely at the heart of the great work ADL undertakes in its Holocaust education programs, its anti-bullying programs, its advocacy against white supremacists, anti-abortion crusaders and the current wave of hysteria against our Muslim neighbors.”
Gina Raphael and Jeff Gross, in their acceptance speeches for the Humanitarian Award, talked of their love of Judaism and Israel. Gross reminded the audience that “each one of us can and must make a difference.”
In addition to the award presentations, two individuals – a student and a deputy police chief — shared first-hand the impact of ADL programs and services.
Student Andy Marquez, a junior at Verbum Dei High School in LA, spoke of his experience participating in ADL’s National Youth Leadership Mission in November. He recalled the visit to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum and how the delegates from across the country learned to be “leaders who stand up to hatred of all kinds.” Summarizing lessons learned, he shared that, “the color of my skin will neither dictate who I will become in the future, not what I will do in life.”
Deputy Chief of Torrance Police Department Bernard Anderson discussed the important partnership between ADL and law enforcement through ADL’s Law Enforcement Advisory Committee where officers regularly convene to share information, stating: “There is no other collaboration of this kind in the greater Los Angeles region.” He also cited ADL’s new program in LA, Law Enforcement and Society, “that encourages us to focus on the core values of our profession.” Forty-five supervising officers in the Torrance Police Department participated in this ADL program.
ADL Pacific Southwest Regional Director of Development Maggie Howard received the Senn/Greenberg Award for Professional Excellence at the event, ADL’s version of “employee of the year.” While presenting the award, CEO and National Director Greenblatt cited Howard’s achievements building an outstanding team of development professionals as well as her energy and wit.
Honorary Dinner Co-Chairs were Lynn and Les Bider and Terri E. and Clayton S. Friedman. Dinner Co-Chairs were Stephanie and Howard Sherwood and Joshua D. Wayser and Richard D. Schulte.
The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles provided entertainment.