By Fabienne Perlov
SAN DIEGO — As we reflect on the last weeks, I’ve never been more proud of the important work we do at ADL San Diego. From our region, to Sacramento and Washington D.C, we have been pushing for historical policies and bills that address the current wave of antisemitism on campus, in schools, and our neighborhoods, on and offline. We’ve also collaborated with our community partners to celebrate Passover with representatives of various faiths and communities, remember the Holocaust on Yom HaShoah, celebrate Israel’s Independence and Jewish and Asian American Heritage Months.
When antisemitic chants at protests, encampment and harassment of Jewish students, faculty and staff on campus have taken place on our local college campuses, we called on university administrations to intervene and provided them with the recommendations and tools to restore calm and ensure students can learn, study, participate in activities and celebrate commencement and the close of the semester as they deserve – in a safe, welcoming environment.
As we celebrate Pride, Shavuot, and Juneteenth, let us recommit ourselves to the timeless values of equality, justice, and freedom for all. Join us, as we embark on this journey of celebration, healing, and transformation.
College Update
In recent weeks, we have intensified our efforts to combat the surge of antisemitism and anti-Zionism on campus by collaborating with university administrators, students, partner organizations like Hillel, and law enforcement. Leveraging resources from the ADL Not on My Campus Initiative, we launched the Campus Antisemitism Report Card and hosted a campus-wide webinar on antisemitism for UCSD faculty and staff. We responded swiftly to the pro-Gaza encampment at UCSD and other incidents of antisemitism, vocally opposing the harassment and discrimination of Jewish students, faculty and staff by the BDS movement.
Last week, we issued a community statement with other organizations to support Jewish students, faculty, and staff at UCSD and condemn the ‘UCSD’s complicity walking tour.’ We are also actively engaged in the SDSU Taskforce on Antisemitism, addressing emerging issues and updating the university codes of conduct to ensure there is no tolerance for harassment that creates a hostile environment on campus.
Interfaith Seder
ADL San Diego, Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (JCC), and Coastal Roots Farm held the Together Towards Freedom: Interfaith Seder in April at the Jewish Community Center. Community members of all faiths and cultural backgrounds were welcomed to experience a Passover Seder, and we were delighted to see over 100 attendees, mostly from outside the Jewish community, in attendance.
We’d like to thank all the guests for joining us in building bridges across communities and the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (JCC) and Coastal Roots Farm for hosting.
JPAC Capitol Summit
In May, ADL San Diego staff, Glass Leadership Institute (GLI) participants, and volunteer leaders gathered with hundreds of Jewish professionals for the Jewish Public Affairs Committee (JPAC) of California’s annual Capitol Summit.
We used our collective voice to secure the support of state lawmakers for a set of bills that are crucial to the safety of the Jewish community and other vulnerable communities.
Click here to see Mayor Todd Gloria and Councilmember Raul Campillo express support for landmark bill AB 3024, the Stop Hate Littering Act that ADL supported.
Jewish American Month; Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month
May is both Jewish American Heritage Month and Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Month. ADL San Diego hosted a luncheon at the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum to celebrate our respective cultures and discuss ways to support each other’s communities. The conversation was illuminating with stories of both joy and hardship. We encourage all to visit the museum to learn about the rich history of the Chinese community in San Diego.
Glass Leadership Institute
There’s only two weeks left to apply for ADL’s Glass Leadership Institute (GLI)! Applications for the GLI Class of 2025 are now open through Friday, June 21st. Make sure to apply today to reserve your spot in the cohort of San Diego leaders.
Supreme Court Review
Register now to join the conversation as we mark 25 years of ADL’s Supreme Court Review on July 9th 9:00 – 10:30 AM PT! Hear legal experts comment on some of the most important cases of the latest term, including rulings on such impactful issues as social media content moderation, deference to administrative agencies, reproductive rights and presidential criminal liability.
In this conversation moderated by journalist Amy Howe, our expert panel of distinguished legal scholars and analysts — Erwin Chemerinsky, Miguel Estrada, Dr. Mary Anne Franks, Gregory G. Garre and Frederick Lawrence — will also discuss what to expect from the Supreme Court next year. CLE credits are also available.
Online Hate and Harassment Survey
For the sixth year, ADL has released the annual Online Hate and Harassment Survey. The rate of severe online hate and harassment increased across the board in 2024, from 18% to 22%. Online harassment can have devastating consequences, harming individuals and communities. We know that these consequences of online harassment do not stay online and there is a real threat to the safety and security of targeted individuals. We must continue to push social media platforms to enforce and improve safety measures.
Join ADL in calling on Congress to pass the Doxing Threat Assessment Act so we can make sure federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies have the tools they need to address cyber harassment and protect vulnerable communities.
Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast
ADL San Diego was proud to sponsor a table at the 16th annual Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast, which was co-chaired by ADL Board member Bruce Abrams. The program’s honorees included Dustin Lance Black, Dolores Huerta, and Rabbi Devorah Marcus of Temple Emanu-El. It was our privilege to honor the life and legacy of Harvey Milk.
Congratulations to Bruce and all of the organizers on a spectacular program!
We would like to congratulate Bruce Abrams, ADL Board Member and Chair of the Allyship Committee for being honored by the The California Legislative Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Caucus for being an Outstanding LGBTQ+ Californian.
Bruce was also interviewed by Assemblymember Christopher Ward in celebration of Pride Month! To watch the video click here.
Jewish American Heritage Month
Mayor Tony Kranz and the Encinitas City Council presented a proclamation to members of the local Jewish community to honor Jewish American Heritage Month. The proclamation was accepted by Elaine Feuer-Barton, a retired Olivenhain Pioneer school teacher and ADL San Diego Board Member.
“We accept this proclamation with deep gratitude for making Encinitas such an inclusive and safe place to live,” said Elaine.
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Fabienne Perlov is the San Diego regional director of the Anti-Defamation League.