This month, the Spotlight shines on ADL Mountain States Regional Board Member Ben Figa. Judge Figa was appointed by Colorado Governor Jared Polis to the 18th Judicial District Court – comprising Arapahoe, Douglas, Elbert and Lincoln counties – earlier this summer. Prior to joining the bench, Figa was a Special Counsel at Burns, Figa & Will P.C.; an Assistant City Attorney for the City and County of Denver (2015-2017); Deputy Legal Counsel for the Office of Governor John W. Hickenlooper (2013-2015); Deputy District Attorney in the 20th Judicial District (2011-2013); Associate at Semple, Farrington & Everall, P.C. (2010-2011); and Law Clerk for the Honorable Justice Michael L. Bender of the Colorado Supreme Court (2009-2010). Figa earned his B.A. from Northwestern University in 2004 and his J.D. from the University of Denver Sturm College of Law in 2009.

Recently, ADL sat down with Judge Figa to learn more about his role models and why he supports the League and its mission.

ADL: You’ve been involved in ADL for many years. What led you to join the Regional Board? Is there something in particular about ADL’s work that speaks to you?

Ben Figa: I joined the ADL Regional Board because the mission connects me with my family and heritage. My grandparents Leon and Sarah were Holocaust survivors and emigrated to this country with next to nothing. They raised two sons in Skokie, Illinois and were able to give the next generation an opportunity at a better life. When I was in college, I had my first brush with antisemitism. As a reporter for my school newspaper, I wrote a story on different floats at the homecoming parade. One fraternity did not like my description and a member wrote me a threatening email that if he found me, he would “shove a flaming yarmulke up my [expletive].”  I reported the statement to the administration, which sadly did nothing. The lesson I learned is that antisemitism is real and unfortunately many people (even institutions we trust) do nothing. If we do not confront bigotry, hateful words turn to hateful actions. In ADL, I found staunch defenders of civil rights and people with diverse backgrounds.

ADL: Who are some of the people that have served as role models for you, both in the area of social justice and generally?

BF: Like many kids, my two role models growing up were my parents Phil and Candy, especially as public servants and active members of ADL. Growing up, I saw them give their time and efforts to ADL year after year. They treated people with respect, even if they disagreed with a different point of view. My dad was a judge here in Colorado and he kept a post-it note on his desk: “Be patient! Be humane. Be firm. Be polite. Give all fair, due process.”  What a mantra to live by and words of wisdom we can all emulate.

ADL: What is your advice for people who are committed to positive change?

BF: Change starts from within. We must each face ourselves day in, day out. Are we proud of the people we have become? What choices must we make to become better parents, spouses, family members, friends, community members, and professionals? When we come from a place of truth, love, kindness, justice, and gratitude, the world magically shifts in a positive direction.