Anti-Defamation League: Justice and Fair Treatment for All

Anti-Defamation League Mission Statement

"The immediate object of the League is to stop, by appeals to reason and conscience and, if necessary, by appeals to law, the defamation of the Jewish people. Its ultimate purpose is to secure justice and fair treatment to all citizens alike and to put an end forever to unjust and unfair discrimination against and ridicule of any sect or body of citizens."

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Part 2 of 2 — Part 1, published on March 14, 2007 highlighted the Bagel, Lox and Cops: Getting to Know the Orthodox Jewish Community event held in Lakewood, New Jersey.

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Representatives from the Anti-Defamation League gave a compelling presentation to over 100 law enforcement officials of Ocean County at the Bagel, Lox and Cops event held in Lakewood, New Jersey on Tuesday, March 13, 2007.

The presentation included information on L.E.A.R.N. (Law Enforcement Agency Resource Network), a web resource of the Anti-Defamation League which is considered the premier resource for extremist activity information. This site includes details on:

Extremism

• Breaking news about extremist incidents and arrests
• In-depth guide to extremists, hate groups and movements
• Advance warning of rallies and meetings by location

Hate Symbols Database

• Online data base of extremist symbols and tattoos
• Quick reference pocket guide (distributed to all venue attendees)

Hate Crimes

• Guidance for hate crime response
• Investigative strategies
• Interactive state map of hate crime provisions

Terrorism

• Terrorism update with incident listings
• Special coverage on bio-terrorism, cyberspace communication and emerging threats

Training

• Advanced training for senior law enforcement officials
• Officer safety guidance for hate crime incidents

Additional information included the definition of hate crime as:

"A hate crime is a criminal act against a person or property in which the perpetrator chooses the victim because of the victim's real or perceived race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability or gender." (Individual state laws may differ in some respects)

On a personal note, I grew up in the Bronx in a Jewish neighborhood with fond memories of many Jewish friends and neighbors. Years later, I obtained a Master of Arts degree in Sacred Scripture after studying Hebrew for two years and completing my thesis on Scriptural Reflections on the Holocaust.

My admiration and appreciation for the Jewish people and their religious values have been essential to my life and I have visited many synagogues to express my respect. My esteem for their life of faith and devotion to community continues to inspire me.

I am convinced without reservation, that it is the duty of all Americans by reason of the law of nature, The Constitution of the United States of America and the principles of America's most honored traditions, to honor the Jewish faith as well as the religious beliefs of every faith.

"May the children of the stock of Abraham who dwell in this land continue to merit and enjoy the good will of the other inhabitants; while every one shall sit in safety under his own vine and fig tree and there shall be none to make him afraid." George Washington's letter to the Hebrew Congregation at Newport, August 18, 1790

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Anti-Defamation League – L.E.A.R.N. Law Enforcement Agency Resource Network

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