Los Angeles, CA. August 12, 2024 … The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of Los Angeles proudly announced today the appointment of long-time ADL supporter and board member Michael Garfinkel as its new Regional Board Chair, effective immediately. Garfinkel will serve a two-year term, which ends Aug. 2026.
Garfinkel brings with him a wealth of experience serving ADL locally and nationally. He and his wife Stacey have been actively involved with and supported ADL since participating in the Salvin Leadership program in 2001 and now serve as National Commissioners. Garfinkel has twice served as Vice Chair for the region and has also served as Chair of ADL’s past annual Entertainment Industry events. Together, the Garfinkels were honored at the most recent ADL Los Angeles Gala in 2023.
ADL is also thrilled to have Garfinkel’s knowledge of the entertainment industry. He is a litigation partner at Venable LLP with expertise in handling entertainment and intellectual property disputes and has worked within the entertainment industry for nearly 30 years. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and UCLA School of Law.
“It’s an honor to be named Board Chair of a century-old anti-hate organization with an over 80-year history in Los Angeles,” Garfinkel says. “The shape of antisemitism is changing rapidly and one industry in which its rearing its ugly head is within the world of entertainment. I look forward to supporting ADL and its new Media and Entertainment Institute located here in Los Angeles.”
“We are incredibly lucky to have such a talented, passionate and proven leader serving as our new Chair,” ADL Los Angeles Regional Director Jeffrey I. Abrams says. “With our previous Board Chair Sharyn Nichols stepping down after three years, Michael’s new role enables ADL Los Angeles to go from strength to strength in the continued fight against antisemitism and all forms of hate.”
ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education, and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org.
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