New York, NY, March 30, 2017 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has partnered with The Hillel Community Day School and a local Rochester-based advocacy group “ROC4Israel” to hold a full day of community programs and events to address the spread of anti-Semitism and hate that has afflicted Rochester and several communities across the state.
On March 16, Middle School students at the Hillel Community Day School — along with five additional faith-based schools including Allendale Columbia School, The Harley School, Siena Catholic Academy, and Westfall Academy – participated in ADL’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Step Up! Assembly, a forum designed to teach students the negative impact of bullying and empower bystanders to become allies. This was the first time students and faculty from Jewish, Catholic, Christian, and Muslim schools across Monroe Country convened for such an interactive experience. “We are grateful for the opportunity to unite young students of many faiths around the shared value of preventing bullying in schools,” said Tracie Glazer, Head of Hillel School.
“Working with our close partners in Rochester and engaging the entire community was quite meaningful, especially in the wake of bomb threats and cemetery desecration that struck Rochester in recent weeks,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director, who also paid a visit to the Stone Road Cemetery, which was vandalized earlier this month. “We felt it was important for us to express our solidarity and provide all the resources we have to the community at this critical juncture.
The assembly program was followed by a “Diplomat Luncheon” with dignitaries, communal organization representatives, law enforcement officers, religious leaders, university administrators and elementary and secondary school teachers where they discussed best practices in responding to hate incidents. The day was concluded with an interactive panel discussion attended by more than 300 members of the Rochester community to learn about ADL’s research on domestic extremism, various initiatives to combat anti-Semitism, bigotry and hate and tangible steps the community can take to affect positive change.
“This day was a prime example of when we work together to push anti-Semitism, bigotry and all forms of hate to the peripheries, we can make a huge difference,” said Michael Freeling, ADL National Commissioner and a Rochester native. “To hear some of the anecdotes from students who pledged to stop bullying in their respective schools and the importance of being an ally to others was truly inspiring. We hope to continue this great momentum in Rochester in the near future.”