A Chat With Scott Levin 

 

By Macy Palbaum and Talia Richland, ADL Mountain States Summer Interns 

 

As ADL Mountain States prepares to bid farewell at the end of this year to long-standing Regional Director, Scott Levin, we sat down with Scott for a conversation about his career and asked his advice for the future.  

 

ADL: How long have you been involved in the Colorado Jewish community?  

Scott Levin: Before taking on the role of ADL Mountain States Regional Director, I worked as a commercial trial attorney for almost 30 years. During that time, I thought it important to also serve my community. To that end, I was honored to serve on the boards and take on leadership positions of many organizations, including Temple Emanuel, Rose Community Foundation, and ADL.  

I have always been attracted to the mission of ADL, “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” My commitment to this outstanding mission was clear well before I joined the staff in 2010. My very first donation to ADL was in 1985. ADL Board Member Craig Fleishman brought me as his guest to an ADL Society of Fellows Luncheon and I made a gift of $50 at the event. I remember being worried that I would have to justify to my wife making a gift in an amount that was twice my budget for lunches for an entire week! In addition to being an annual donor to ADL for nearly 40 years, I also served on committees and the Board for about 20 years before becoming Regional Director on November 30, 2010. 

 

ADL: What was the transition like from being a practicing attorney to taking on the role of Regional Director?  

Scott: Change always has it challenges. While I missed the trappings of being associated with a successful practice, including relationships with partners, clients and employees, I truly felt I was moving into a very privileged position in our community. It is not often that one gets to match their personal passions and skills to their employment. I very much liked being an attorney but the platform that ADL has provided me with in the community is unparalleled.  

 

ADL: What is the most impactful thing you have done in your time as Regional Director? Any favorite memories? 

Scott: With nearly a decade and a half of work on this mission, comes many moments of profound impact.  Some of the most impactful experiences of my time as Regional Director occurred when I have helped to organize and lead large communal events. Unfortunately, our community and country have experienced too many horrific tragedies in the recent past. Whether it was the community gatherings after the shootings at the Tree of Life Synagogue and Chabad of Poway, or the massacre and kidnappings in Israel on October 7, 2023, I was glad to help provide our community with needed time and a place to gather and grieve. We were pleased to be joined by so many elected officials and members of other communities who wanted the Jewish community to know we were in their hearts. In the same way, on behalf of the Jewish community, I was glad to provide support to the LGBTQ+ community by helping to organize and lead events following the Pulse Nightclub and Club Q shootings. In times of great divisiveness, we need to come together as a community to stand against hate. 

 

ADL: What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome as Regional Director?  

Scott: One of the biggest difficulties I have faced as Regional Director has been navigating a politically polarized environment both in and out of the Jewish community. ADL lives in a world that is not always “black and white.” For example, how can one be true to both our primary desire to ensure that all people feel safe and secure and at the same time have fidelity to our principled support of the Free Speech Clause of the First Amendment? While we certainly have litmus tests in many areas, the challenge is always how to deal in the “gray areas” that involve a lot of strategy and nuance not always immediately known to everyone. While this has been a challenge in dealing with passionate people both in and outside of our community, it is also something from which I have drawn great satisfaction.  

 

ADL: What advice would you impart to the next generation of Jewish leaders looking to enact change in line with the mission of ADL?  

Scott: I would emphasize that relationships are everything. It is imperative that people step away from their protective bubbles. They must lift their heads out of their digital screens. Ultimately, they need to GET INVOLVED! This means identifying their passions. Whether it is fighting antisemitism and hate, saving the environment, or providing support to cancer patients, once you have identified your passion, go meet with others, have hard conversations, and engage in making the world a better place.  

 

ADL: What is next for you?   

Scott: After nearly 15 years working hard for ADL and its mission, I will be getting some much needed rest and enjoying time with my family. I am particularly looking forward to spending more time with my grandchildren. Beyond that, I will be open to pursuing my passions and sharing my talents through other venues that will not require me to commit to them on a 24/7 basis! 

I am deeply proud of the professional team I have assembled. I know the team and whomever steps in as my successor will take the ADL Mountain States Region to new heights. 

 

Thank you to Scott Levin for his tremendous legacy, which we look forward to celebrating at our Champions of Justice Gala on October 30. For more information about the Gala, including sponsorship opportunities, click here.