A Call to Action Against Antisemitism

Sunday, November 20, 9:30 am, TBS and online

Please join TBS Antisemitism Awareness Initiative (ASAI) for a thought-provoking conversation with Rob Leikind, Director AJC (American Jewish Committee) New England, and Mark Maremont, TBS member and journalist. The discussion will center on antisemitism locally, nationally, and globally, and action steps to address growing concerns. There is no charge for this event and it is open to the entire TBS adult community. A delicious breakfast will be served. Please register at t-b-s.me/ASAItalk. This program is co-sponsored by the TBS Brotherhood, Sisterhood, Tzedek, Adult Learning, Three Score/More or Less, and Social Action committees.

Presenters' Biographies

Robert Leikind

Rob Leikind has been director of AJC New England since 2008. A child of parents who survived Hitler’s Europe, he grew up with a deeply rooted regard for the opportunity that American democracy affords Jews and other vulnerable minorities to promote and protect their well-being. Throughout his career, Rob has been a passionate defender of civil rights, an ardent advocate in the fight against antisemitism and other forms of bigotry, and a vocal proponent of a just and secure future for Israel and its neighbors.

Rob is an innovator who has found a home for his commitments within the American Jewish Committee. Under his leadership, AJC New England conceived and helped launch a global campaign that enrolled more than 500 mayors from 32 countries in the fight against antisemitism; played a key role in the defeat of municipal BDS resolutions; and organized globally recognized academics to speak out against anti-Israel academic boycotts. Rob has also championed pro-democracy activities, for example, organizing a large coalition of diverse NGOs to advance federal anti-hate legislation, promoting immigration reform, and fighting for inclusive forms of ethnic diversity education.

Rob began his career working with Holocaust survivors in Brooklyn, NY. A lawyer by training, he served as an Assistant District Attorney before going on to be Director of the ADL’s Connecticut and Boston offices and serving as Senior Vice President of Hebrew College.

Rob has been a contributor to various media on topics ranging from Israel and antisemitism to intergroup relations and civil rights. He received his bachelor’s degree from Vassar College, an M.S. from Columbia University, and his J.D. from the Boston College Law School.

Mark Maremont

Mark Maremont is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist with the Wall Street Journal, based in Boston. Currently holding the title Senior Editor, he focuses on investigative reporting, particularly stories about business, finance and politics. Mark was part of a small team of Journal reporters awarded the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for a series exposing widespread abuses in the compensation of corporate executives, through improper backdating of employee stock options. In 2003, he was part of a team of Journal reporters awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Public Service for a series on corporate corruption and is a three-time winner of the Gerald Loeb Award, business journalism’s highest honor. Mark graduated from Brown University with a U.S. History concentration and holds a Master’s degree from the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. Prior to the Journal, he worked at Business Week magazine in New York, London and Boston. As an avid follower of news events, Mark has a growing concern about the rise in antisemitism in the US and around the world.Mark and his wife Emily have belonged to Temple Beth Shalom since 1998. He presently serves on the TBS Nominating Committee.