On Nov. 18, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) marked its 30th annual "In Concert Against Hate" at the Kennedy Center. The event celebrated individuals and organizations standing up against antisemitism, extremism, and hate, underscoring the importance of unity and resilience in the face of ongoing challenges.
Actor Ben Stiller served as emcee for the evening, which featured musical performances by Grammy-nominated artist Sia, who dedicated her song Titanium to survivors of the Nova music festival attack, and Israeli artist Eden Golan, who performed her composition October Rain with the National Symphony Orchestra.
Prominent attendees included Damien Patton, entrepreneur and advocate, who has been outspoken about addressing hate and extremism.
Patton, once a teenage member of a white supremacist gang, is now a leading advocate for the ADL, pushing for stronger anti-hate initiatives on social media and promoting inclusion and accessibility in the tech industry.
His advocacy was recently featured in an op-ed in The Hill, where he shared insights on pathways out of radicalization.
The event also honored entertainment executive Scooter Braun, who received the ADL Spotlight Award for his role in bringing The Nova Music Festival Exhibition: October 7th 06:29AM to audiences across the U.S. The project, which captures the resilience of survivors through immersive storytelling, has been widely praised.
The "In Concert Against Hate" event emphasized the power of solidarity, offering a platform to honor those who champion justice and equality.
The National Symphony Orchestra performed Oseh Shalom, a Jewish prayer for peace, symbolizing a call for unity and harmony.
According to the ADL, the organization has increased its educational initiatives, including programs that teach students about the dangers of antisemitism and hate. These efforts are highlighted alongside events like "In Concert Against Hate."
According to AP NEWS, on Oct. 7, 2023, the Nova music festival near Re'im, Israel, was attacked by Hamas militants. At least 260 festivalgoers were killed, and more than 40 people were abducted. The attack is considered one of the deadliest civilian massacres in Israeli history.
The ADL, founded in 1913 by attorney Sigmund Livingston in Chicago, Illinois, was established with the mission "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people, and to secure justice and fair treatment to all."