For decades, the ADL has helped Westport.
Now it’s time for us to return the favor.
The organization — the Connecticut chapter of what was originally called the Anti-Defamation League — has:
- Offered anti-bias training programs for teachers, students, parents and community members
- Provided Holocaust education
- Responded to anti-Semitic and other hate incidents
- Sponsored Police Chief Foti Koskinas for a special course on extremist and terrorist threats, for senior-level law enforcement personnel
- Helped begin the Kool to be Kind initiative
- Worked with Staples High School staff on the new “Connections” program
- Brought former neo-Nazi Frank Meeink, and ex-Westboro Baptist Church members Megan and Grace Phelps-Roper here
- Worked with every synagogue in town on the interactive “Words to Action” program, for students from middle school through college.
“We will always be there for our community,” says ADL Connecticut director Steve Ginsburg, a Westport resident. “Now, we’re bringing the community together with a ‘show of unity.'”
It will be quite a show. “ADL Voices” is a major fundraiser, on Saturday, November 9 (Klein Auditorium in Bridgeport, 8 p.m.).
Trombone Shorty — the New Orleans-based jazz, funk, R&B, hip hop, pop and rock trombone, trumpet, organ and tuba player — will star.
Trombone Shorty
Award-winning gospel artist Pastor Marcia Fountain will solo. David Letterman’s bandleader Paul Shaffer emcees. Westporter Sarah Green serves as artistic director.
The Voices Choir — a talented, diverse group of musicians, singers and dancers from across Fairfield County — will perform, along with the Pivot Ministries Choir from Bridgeport.
Students from Staples High School, the Bridgeport public schools and Neighborhood Studios will sing, along with those from Fairfield Prep, Fairfield University, Keys Bridgeport and the Manhattan School of Music, and various church and synagogue choirs.
Westport Academy of Dance’s senior company introduces a piece specially choreographed for the event.
Other Westporters involved include the Staples Service League of Boys; ADL board member and event chair Claudia Cohen, along with many volunteers.
It’s truly be a “unifying” night. The fundraising benefit and community gathering is designed to “bring people together, foster dialogue and build mutual respect,” Ginsburg says.
It will also be very entertaining, quite inspirational, and tons of fun.
(For more information, including tickets and sponsorship opportunities, click here. Major sponsors include Bercham Moses LLP, Norwalk Hospital and Terex.)
This is a great event, with great music for a great cause, especially with what is happening today with regard to hate speech and the lack of tolerance.
I am pleased to be involved with this initiative and hope that many more of you will join in and help support the event and the organization.
HOPEFULLY MANY LESSONS WILL BE LEARNED AND TOLERANCE AND UNITY WILL RESULT. THANK YOU ADL
great cause. Unfortunately a great deal of the USA disregards the ADL positions on Trumps policies and nasty rhetoric. I have made many comments over the year in regards to Trump and have suggested that 06880 read what the ADL position on Muslim ban is, immigration, Charlotsville comment by Trump, the attacks on George Soros, and the illustrated tweet of H Clinton. I believe the ADL may have also commented on the Trump family many referenced to Ivanka and Judaism. I hope our community reads what the ADL positions are on Trump and his leadership. We are at a crossroad. It is my opinion that many of the ADL positions are very similar if not the same as the teachings of Jesus Christ. Thank you.