On April 21, ADL Pacific Southwest Regional Director Amanda Susskind, Associate Regional Director Ariella Schusterman and Assistant Regional Director Sarah Matos presented to the members of UCLA’s Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC) on anti-Semitism, criticism of Israel, the points of intersections and the nuances and complexities of these topics. ADL was invited by Hillel at UCLA as the only off-campus organization to present directly to USAC as part of the response to the February 2015 anti-Semitic questioning of Rachel Beyda, who is now a current member of UCLA’s Judicial Board. The presentation was also done as an important component of USAC’s resolution condemning anti-Semitism, which passed unanimously shortly after the incident. The resolution was co-sponsored by the four students who took part in the problematic questioning.
After a graphic presentation on the history of anti-Semitism and the ways criticism of Israel can foster anti-Semitism, Susskind spoke to the responsibilities student leaders have to be mindful of the impact of their actions. She urged them to use their leadership position to stand up for all members of the student body – even those with whom they may disagree. “That is how you create an inclusive campus environment. That is how you represent the entire campus community.” Students lingered after the presentation to ask questions and express appreciation.