It feels like my path to ADL was fate. As a Jewish kid, I was bullied in school, ostracized in social groups, and felt like a stranger whenever I looked to the surrounding hills only to see massive crosses propped up. It was confusing to me as a child. I looked the same as the other kids and we played the same sports but, nevertheless, I was identified by my religion. I have always been proud of my faith and never tried to hide it. I confronted my bullies with compassion and sincerity, and as a result, several of them are now dear friends.
The events of April 27, 2019 were my call to action. My local synagogue in Poway, CA was under attack and for the first time this act of antisemitism was not happening overseas, but in my own backyard. The very next day I decided to continue my college education with the goal of pursuing a career to prevent something like this from happening again. I transferred to the University of Denver in 2021 and took the first opportunity to apply to be an intern for the ADL Mountain States Region.
Working at ADL has been a dream come true for a plethora of reasons. From meeting with state representatives to being a part of hate crime response training for local sheriffs, this internship enabled me to be a part of something bigger. The impact of the work done at ADL Mountain States is paramount to the protection of civil liberties and prevention of hate towards marginalized communities. At ADL Mountain States I was more than just an intern, I was part of the team with an equal valued voice.
I was lucky to be a part of the Summer Associate Research Program at which law students working as summer associates for area law firms provide critical research on civil rights issues. The research work is used by ADL to help further the organization’s pursuit of protecting civil liberties. As an intern I got to help organize the event as well as coordinate the memo competition. It was an honor to be a part of the closing ceremony and award ceremony at the 2022 Civil Rights Award Reception where I had the pleasure to meet many notable individuals such as Judge Ben Figa of Colorado’s 18th Judicial District; Julie Reiskin, Executive Director of the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, and Colorado Representative Dafna Michaelson Jenet.
I am deeply grateful for this opportunity and would like to thank the ADL Mountain States Region for this incredible experience! A special thank you goes to Senior Associate Regional Director, Sue Parker Gerson, for mentoring me during this internship that has enriched my life in so many ways. I hope to use the lessons from this internship to help the Denver community grow together and do my part in making the world a better place.
We thank Ben for his outstanding work this summer and wish him well in his senior year at the University of Denver, where he is studying political science, economics and business.
ADL is accepting internship applications for Fall 2022 and Spring 2023! If you or someone you know wants to have an experience like Hali’s, please share this article and click here for more information or to apply.