New York, NY, June 6, 2016 … Dr. Kenneth L. Edelson, a New York physician, has formally committed to a $1 million legacy planned gift bequest to endow the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) Making a Difference Award, an annual recognition that is given to a public figures, philanthropists, or celebrities who are changing the way society responds to bullying and bias.

The award will be named The New York Region No Place for Hate® Kenneth L. Edelson, MD Making a Difference Award once the bequest is made. Its funds will go to support ADL’s No Place for Hate® initiative, which is designed to create inclusive school communities by promoting unity and respect, and empowering schools to reduce bullying, name-calling and other expressions of bias. Since 1999, over 2,000 schools and more than three million students, teachers and parents have participated nationwide, and has been active in New York State since 2009.

Dr. Edelson serves as an Clinical Professor of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and as an attending physician at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, was largely inspired by his mother, Beatrice Edelson, in his decision to make this legacy bequest. In 1957, Mrs. Edelson was part of a leadership committee of B’Nai Brith women in Brooklyn and Queens that worked together to raise support and awareness for ADL’s work.

“My mother’s dedication to combat prejudice at the time has really inspired me to push others to make a difference,” Dr. Edelson said. “Her work over the years in elementary and high schools was quite similar to ADL’s mission and the vision of the No Place For Hate initiative, and I felt that this contribution would significantly help in furthering the reach of this critical program.”

In addition to his prestigious dermatology career, Dr. Edelson recently received the honor of being sworn in by Commissioner William Bratton at NYPD Police Headquarters as an Honorary Police Surgeon, the highest rank that a civilian physician can achieve within the New York City Police Department. The Honorary Police Surgeon is appointed by the Police Commissioner to serve members of the Police Department by providing medical consultation and expert advice to the sick and injured members and their families.

“We are beyond humbled by this incredibly generous planned gift that Dr. Edelson has committed to, which will allow us to ramp up our future education programming,” said Evan R. Bernstein, ADL New York Regional Director. This will help secure the continued impact on students across the New York metro area, and we look forward to having Dr. Edelson become a key lay leader in the region.”

Last year, ADL presented the Born This Way Foundation with its Making a Difference Award in recognition of their work championing positive social change. The nonprofit organization, co-founded by pop star Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia Germanotta, is dedicated to supporting the wellness of young people and empowering them to create a kinder and braver world.

ADL’s Department of National Planned Giving, Legacy and Endowments provides individuals and their families the opportunity to leave a legacy that supports ADL and its mission to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and secure justice and fair treatment to all.

 

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.  Follow us on Twitter: @ADL_NY