40 Facts About Anti Defamation League

The Birth of the Anti-Defamation League

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was born out of a need to combat antisemitism and bigotry. Its origins are deeply rooted in a specific historical event that highlighted the necessity for such an organization.

1. 01Founding: The ADL was founded in late September 1913 by the Independent Order of B'nai B'rith, a Jewish service organization, in response to the contentious murder conviction of Leo Frank.
2. 02Mission: The ADL's mission is "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all."
3. 03Early Activities: Initially, the ADL focused on countering antisemitic expressions and stereotypes in media, theater, and print.
4. 04Leo Frank Incident: The trial and lynching of Leo Frank, a Jewish factory executive, served as a catalyst for the ADL's creation. Frank was wrongly convicted of murdering a 13-year-old girl and later lynched by an angry mob.
5. 05Sigmund Livingston: Sigmund Livingston, a Chicago lawyer, proposed the creation of the ADL under the auspices of B'nai B'rith. He was the first leader of the organization.
6. 06First Office: The ADL started with a $200 budget and two desks in Livingston's law office.

Early Campaigns and Shifts in Strategy

The ADL quickly moved from its initial focus to broader campaigns and strategic shifts, aiming to tackle antisemitism more aggressively.

7. 07Early Campaigns: One of the ADL's early campaigns involved pressuring Henry Ford to stop publishing antisemitic propaganda in The Dearborn Independent. Ford eventually issued an apology in 1927.
8. 08Henry Ford's Antisemitism: Henry Ford's publication of antisemitic literature, including quotes from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, was a significant target for the ADL's early efforts.
9. 09Shift to Aggressive Policy: In the 1930s, the ADL shifted from reactive responses to antisemitic actions to a more aggressive policy under the leadership of Richard E. Gutstadt.
10. 10Documentation of Discrimination: The ADL began documenting and fighting against discrimination against Jews by hotels and resorts, as well as general social clubs.

World War II and Post-War Efforts

During and after World War II, the ADL expanded its efforts to include public education and collaboration with other organizations.

11. 11World War II Efforts: During World War II, the ADL launched public education campaigns to fight prejudice, antisemitism, and bigotry. It also established organizations like the Institute for American Democracy to promote democratic principles and cooperation among all races, religions, and classes.
12. 12Institute for Democratic Education: This organization used radio programs like "The American Dream" to combat prejudice and discrimination.
13. 13FBI Collaboration: Since the 1970s, the ADL has partnered with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field offices to share information on extremist groups.
14. 14Regional Offices: The ADL has 25 regional offices in the United States, including a Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C., and an office in Israel.

Leadership and Financials

Leadership changes and financial growth have played significant roles in shaping the ADL's direction and impact.

15. 15CEO Jonathan Greenblatt: Jonathan Greenblatt is the current CEO of the ADL, leading the organization's efforts to combat hate and extremism.
16. 16Annual Revenues: In its 2019 annual information Form 990, the ADL reported total revenues of $92 million, with the vast majority coming from contributions and grants.
17. 17Operating Revenue: The ADL's total operating revenue is reported at $80.9 million.
18. 18Historical Impact: Historian Leonard Dinnerstein notes that until after World War II, the ADL had limited impact compared to other organizations like the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

Decentralization and Collaboration

Decentralization and collaboration with various groups have been key to the ADL's effectiveness and reach.

19. 19Decentralization: By the 1970s, decentralization allowed the ADL to develop local branches, increasing its influence and effectiveness.
20. 20Nathan Perlmutter: Nathan Perlmutter served as national director from 1973 until his death in 1987. He shifted the ADL's approach to evangelical Christian groups, increasing collaborations and communication.
21. 21Yechiel Eckstein: Yechiel Eckstein was co-director of interreligious affairs from 1978 to 1983. He continued Perlmutter's efforts in building relationships with evangelical groups.
22. 22Collaboration with Evangelicals: The ADL's collaboration with evangelical groups has been a significant aspect of its strategy, aiming to build long-lasting lines of communication and cooperation.

Civil Rights and Legislative Efforts

The ADL has been a strong advocate for civil rights and has played a crucial role in various legislative efforts.

23. 23Opposition to McCarthyism: The ADL opposed McCarthyism during the Cold War, advocating for civil rights and countering red-baiting.
24. 24Civil Rights Legislation: The ADL campaigned for major civil rights legislation in the 1960s, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
25. 25NAACP Partnership: The ADL worked with the NAACP to discredit the far right in the United States, conducting a spy operation headed by Isadore Zack.
26. 26Spy Operation: The ADL's spy operation aimed to gather intelligence on extremist groups and disrupt their activities, contributing significantly to the discrediting of far-right elements.

Controversies and Challenges

Like any organization, the ADL has faced its share of controversies and challenges over the years.

27. 27Anti-Mormon Film: In 1982, the ADL opposed an anti-Mormon film called The God Makers, viewing it as a challenge to religious freedom.
28. 28Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act: The ADL was a lead organization in campaigning for this act, which was ultimately successfully passed into law. The act included sexual orientation as one of the bases for hate crimes.
29. 29Model Hate Crimes Legislation: The ADL drafted model hate crimes legislation in the 1980s, which has been adopted by a majority of states.
30. 30Florida House Bill 11: In 2010, the ADL lobbied against Florida House Bill 11, which added homeless status as a category for hate crimes. The ADL argued that adding more categories would dilute the effectiveness of the law.

Education and Public Awareness

Education and public awareness campaigns have been central to the ADL's mission to combat hate and promote understanding.

31. 31Comprehensive and DREAM Act: The ADL supports Comprehensive and DREAM Act legislation, which provides conditional permanent residency to certain undocumented immigrants of good moral character.
32. 32Holocaust Education: The ADL provides Holocaust education curricula and conducts research operations to uncover Nazi supporters and hate groups in the U.S.
33. 33Hate Crimes Statistics Act: The ADL advocated for the passage of the Hate Crimes Statistics Act in 1990, which requires the collection of data on hate crimes.
34. 34Wisconsin v. Mitchell: The ADL's model statute for hate crimes was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in Wisconsin v. Mitchell (1993), a landmark decision on penalty-enhancement for bias-motivated crimes.

Monitoring and Reporting

The ADL's efforts in monitoring and reporting antisemitic incidents have been crucial in understanding and combating hate.

35. 35Audit of Antisemitic Incidents: The ADL publishes an annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, which serves as a benchmark tool to spot and report trends in domestic vandalism, harassment, and violence directed against Jews and Jewish institutions.
36. 36Proposed Model Statute: The ADL's pioneering model hate crimes statute proposed enhanced penalties for bias-motivated criminal conduct. This model has been adopted by 46 states and the District of Columbia.
37. 37Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Collaboration: The ADL has collaborated with the FBI since the 1970s, sharing information on extremist groups and assisting in investigations and prosecutions.

Legacy and Impact

The ADL's legacy and impact on civil rights and combating hate are undeniable, with numerous achievements and ongoing efforts.

38. 38Public Education Campaigns: During World War II, the ADL launched public education campaigns to fight prejudice, antisemitism, and bigotry. These campaigns promoted unity among Americans of all backgrounds in the fight against totalitarianism.
39. 39Henry Ford's Apology: In January 1942, Henry Ford sent a letter to ADL National Chair Sigmund Livingston expressing his belief that hate-mongering against Jews was a disservice to the country and humanity. This marked a significant shift in Ford's stance against antisemitism.
40. 40Historical Legacy: The ADL's efforts have been instrumental in shaping civil rights legislation and combating hate crimes. Its legacy continues to influence contemporary efforts to secure justice and fair treatment for all.

The ADL's Lasting Impact

The Anti-Defamation League has been a powerful force against antisemitism, bigotry, and discrimination since 1913. From its early days countering media stereotypes to its current efforts in combating hate crimes and promoting diversity, the ADL remains committed to its timeless mission. Its work has shaped civil rights legislation and built crucial alliances with various organizations. The ADL's efforts in Holocaust education, hate crime legislation, and partnerships with groups like the NAACP have made it a pivotal force in the struggle for justice and equality. The organization's ongoing collaboration with the FBI and its annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents highlight its dedication to monitoring and combating hate. The ADL's legacy continues to influence contemporary efforts to secure justice and fair treatment for all, proving its enduring relevance and impact.