By: Jim DeFina

ADL Board member, National Executive Committee member, National Development Chair and former Mountain States Board Chair Barry Curtiss-Lusher received ADL’s Distinguished Community Service Award for his commitment to human rights and dignity, and his dedicated service to his community, state and nation from Colorado Governor Bill Ritter, Jr. A congratulatory video from ADL’s National Director Abraham H. Foxman was played, while ADL’s Senior Associate Director and Director of National Development Director Marshall Levin led the audience in toasting Curtiss-Lusher. The event’s keynote speaker was Muslim activist and author Irshad Manji who discussed Ijtihad, the idea of urging independent thinking among Muslims. Manji is the author of the international bestseller, The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim’s Call for Reform in Her Faith, an open letter to the worldwide community about why her faith needs to come to terms with the diversity of ideas, beliefs and people in the world, and why non-Muslims have a pivotal role in helping them get there. The 2007 “Society of Fellows” Donor Luncheon Honorary Co-Chairs were Gov.Ritter First Lady Jeannie Ritter, Lawrence A. Atler and Marilyn Van Derbur Atler, and Clyde and Harriet McKenzie. ADL’s Annual Campaign Chairs are Board members Susan Brody, David Gabriel, and Laura Merage, and ADL’s Development Co-Chairs are Dan Calisher and Andrea Shpall.