On Thursday, Nov. 10, KO students traveled to Javits Center in New York City, to take part in the Anti-Defamation League’s “Now is Never” leadership conference.
The Anti-Defamation League started out as a group that advocated against anti-semitism but is constantly evolving. While this is still their main goal, the ADL has taken on other social justice issues such as racism and gender bias, hoping to ultimately promote awareness of many social issues and end injustices. Every year the ADL hosts the “Now is Never” leadership conference which students can attend. Students have the opportunity to listen to different speakers and have important discussions with other high school students.
The ADL leadership conference started at 8:45 a.m., beginning with speeches by many prominent public figures, such as CEO and Director of ADL Jonathan Greenblatt, and FBI director Christopher Wray. Greenblatt gave his remarks about the anti-semitic hate he and many other people have received, and how today’s youth can work together to eliminate hate and “save our country.” Wray spoke about the time he spent working in the FBI’s Office of Special Investigations and the work they did with fighting antisemitism.
After the opening session, students separated into different groups to discuss various topics. These topics included, how conspiracy theories fuel antisemitism and hate, how social media platforms deal with the bullying that goes on their app, and how to respond to antisemitism. These different rooms had experts on the focus of the discussion who provided very valuable information on the topic. “I found the breakout room on conspiracy theories especially interesting, as we learned about what is truly at the root of these conspiracy theories and what we can do to fight them,” junior Nicholas Tippner said. Math teacher and Director of the Leadership Center Sandra Goss who chaperoned the event shared her experience there. “It was really amazing to watch the kids have discussions with one another and present their opinions of these topics,” she said.
After the breakout sessions ended, it was time for the closing session. More important leaders spoke, including journalist and author Abigail Pogrebin, as well as Juju Chang, Co-Anchor of ABC News’ “Nightline.”
This leadership conference was a huge success for the KO students. “I loved being able to collaborate with other schools and demographics, especially because all the other teens there were very engaged,” junior Maggie Poulin said. “It was great to hear different perspectives on how we as a community and as individuals can help stop discrimination around us.”
“I went in not knowing very much and I left more educated on anti-semitism, and what we can do in the fight against it,,” Nicholas said. “It was amazing to be able to see, hear, and even meet some of the incredible speakers at the conference. Their life-changing stories and profound messages impacted and inspired me more than I thought they would.”
The leadership conference provided students with a great opportunity to educate themselves on different topics and social justice issues.
