Not every adventure makes you laugh. Some adventures are more serious – they require reflection and make you appreciate everything around you. November 14th, 2011 was one such adventure. I headed to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to join hundreds of other supporters of the Anti-Defamation League and the National Symphony Orchestra for the 17th Annual ADL in Concert Against Hate.
 
Through music and narratives, the Concert told the stories of five men and women who have “performed extraordinary acts of courage and compassion when confronted by hatred and bigotry.” The stories were heartwrenching, and without realizing it I was tearing up. In retrospect, my tears weren’t just tears of sadness, but they were from my own realization of how fortunate my life has been. I’ve never lived in fear of persecution because of my religion, or the way I look or who my friends are….
 
And that is why I stood in support of the ADL’s mission…

…To root out hatred. To speak out against anti-Semitism and bigotry. To change hearts and open minds. To protect those who are the targets of hate. To forge alliances and partnerships. To build bridges of understanding.

 
To learn more about the ADL in Concert Against Hate, visit http://www.adlconcert.org/