About the presenters:

Eric K. Ward: A nationally-recognized expert on the relationship between authoritarian movements, hate violence, and preserving inclusive democracy, Eric brings over 30 years of leadership in community organizing and philanthropy to his roles as Western States Center’s Executive Director, Senior Fellow with Southern Poverty Law Center, and Senior Advisor with Race Forward. Since Eric took the helm in 2017, Western States Center has become a national hub for innovative responses to white nationalism, antisemitism, and structural inequality, towards a world where everyone can live, love, worship, and work free from fear. In his 30+ year civil rights career, Eric has worked with community groups, government and business leaders, human rights advocates, and philanthropy as an organizer, program officer, consultant, and board member. Currently Board Chair for The Proteus Fund, Eric is a Rockwood Leadership Institute Fellow and OSI New Executives Fund recipient. A contributor to the Progressive Media Project from 2008 to 2014, Eric is the author of multiple written works credited with key narrative shifts, including “Skin in the Game: How Antisemitism Animates White Nationalism.” Frequently cited by the media and in high demand as a speaker, Eric is a regular contributor to Oregon Public Broadcasting’s News Roundtable.

Tammy Gillies: Tammy Gillies is the Regional Director of ADL in San Diego and Imperial Counties, with oversight of ADL’s Nevada and Arizona offices.  The San Diego Region is one of five ADL offices in California, and one of 25 across the country.  Tammy is a native New Yorker, studied at the University of Vermont, began her career with ADL as the Director of Development in 2007,  and assumed the role of Regional Director in 2010.

Tammy takes great pride in the ADL staff in San Diego and their dedication to ADL’s timeless mission, “To stop the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment for all.”  The San Diego office focuses on anti-bias education, civil rights, building bridges with different communities and partnerships with the law enforcement community.

Rabbi Jason Nevarez: Originally from New York City, Rabbi Nevarez graduated from the Bronx High School of Science, and went to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, where he received his BA in 1998. He was ordained by the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in New York in 2006, where he earned Master’s degrees in both Hebrew Literature and Religious Education, and was the recipient of a number of scholarships, in addition to several academic prizes in Jewish education. Rabbi Nevarez held residencies and internships at Larchmont Temple, Larchmont, NY, Temple Beth Emeth, Ann Arbor, MI, and at Temple Shaaray Tefila, Bedford NY. Prior to entering Rabbinical School, he served as a Youth Director at synagogues in Connecticut and Michigan, and also as a Regional Director for NFTY (North American Federation of Temple Youth).

As part of his congregational portfolio, Rabbi Nevarez has had the opportunity to do outreach, educational, and social justice work both in Israel and Latin America. He has also been able to marry his global learning experiences with his passion for innovation and immersive learning/education across the generations he serves. He continues to serve as a mentor for Rabbinical students at HUC-JIR, the Reform Movement’s Flagship Seminary in New York, helping them to enhance their Rabbinic skill sets while serving as rabbinic interns for congregations.

There is no fee, but please RSVP for planning purposes. This event is held virtually on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event.