The Shana Amy Glass National Leadership Summit is a unique opportunity for ADL supporters to travel to Washington, D.C. to explore the cutting edge ADL policy issues that are at the heart of the American political debate. This year, ADL New York Region brought a delegation of 20 young leaders, including 12 members of the this year’s Glass Leadership Institute.

This year’s summit kicked off with personal stories of partnership with ADL. Summit participants heard from a diverse range of allies about how their partnership with ADL is a lifeline for their work.  Whether fighting anti-Semitism in Europe, or fighting racism and anti-Muslim bigotry in the U.S., leaders across communities know they can count on ADL to stand with them in the fight against discrimination.

“Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change,” Amy Herman told Summit participants in her critically acclaimed “Art of Perception” session.

Over dinner, participants heard from industry leaders and key players in the fight against cyberhate.  Through the Summit app, guests tried their hands at reviewing examples of potential hate speech and voting on whether or not it should be removed. The session provided important insight into the challenges posed by hate online.

Day 2 of the summit was all about the experts. Workshops and plenaries tackled a wide array of issues, including the Iran nuclear deal, the refugee crisis, religious freedom, criminal justice reform, the U.S.-Israel relationship, and terrorist propaganda online.

And, of course, what would a presidential election year be without the ADL National Leadership Summit pundit panel?! While ADL is utterly nonpartisan, Q&A was robust and without a dull moment. The program featured Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus and Peter Madigan, President of Peck, Madigan, Jones Government Relations, and was moderated by Stacy Burdett, ADL’s Vice President of Government Relations, Advocacy, and Community Relations.

Dinner brought in-depth discussions with some of our most important partners in the fight against anti-Semitism in Europe, as well as a presentation by Gidi Grinstein, CEO of The Reut Institute, on the challenge posed by BDS (Boycott, Divestment, & Sanction) movement.

Over fifteen Members of Congress joined ADL Summit participants at our Congressional Partners Against Hate Breakfast on Capitol Hill. In the spirit of this year’s Summit theme, Leaders Lead, we invited our close allies and friends in the House and Senate to share their perspectives on issues of importance to the League, with a focus on encouraging Congress and the American people to stand united condemning hate-filled language, bias and stereotypes that have seeped into the political debate.

On Lobby Day, the final day of the Summit, participants met with their Members of Congress from over 90 Congressional districts to advocate for priority issues like restoring critical voting rights protections, ensuring our nation continues to welcome refugees fleeing violence and persecution, urging strong U.S. leadership on a global stage, and other core ADL legislative priorities.

Before a distinguished panel of ADL civil rights allies took the stage to close the Summit, CEO Jonathan Greenblatt honored Wade Henderson, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Leadership Conference Education Fund, by presenting him with the inaugural ADL Securing Justice Award.