Since 2017 the number of antisemitic acts, speech, and violence has significantly increased compared to prior years. The rhetoric has come from both right-wing white supremacists and left-wing progressives who view Israel as an illegitimate apartheid colonial state. Murders in a Poway synagogue, hounding of Jewish students in California universities, and antisemitic statements from a commissioner on the Leon Williams Human Relations Commission of San Diego County and the need for armed guards at our synagogues show this to be an immediate problem for us. Mr. Hicks will examine the current state of antisemitism and discuss the role of the Antidefamation League in countering this.

Rob Hicks has been serving as Assistant Regional Director for ADL San Diego since August 2021 and oversees policy and advocacy, community engagement, antisemitism education, and ADL’s Glass Leadership Institute. Prior to that, he interned with ADL’s Washington, D.C. office. Rob’s other professional experience includes work in political campaigns, private sector sales, and nonprofit development. He is originally from Toms River, New Jersey and earned a BA in Political Science with a minor in History from The College of New Jersey in 2019. He moved to the San Diego area to pursue work with ADL and has lived in La Mesa, CA since October 2021. He is happy and proud to now call San Diego home!

The Speaker Forum is designed to bring to Beth Israel a person with some expertise on a topic of interest for all adult members. Participation is not limited to Beth Israel members. These Forums are proudly sponsored by the Men’s Club for our entire congregation. This event is held virtually on Zoom. After registering, you will receive an email containing information on how to join the event.