Anti-Defamation League New England

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) was founded in 1913 to “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Now the nation’s premier civil rights and human relations agency, ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all. ADL’s New England Regional Office serves Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

We employ a multi-faceted educational, community relations and legal approach to combat anti-Semitism and hate of all kinds, promote diversity, and build bridges of understanding between communities.

ADL leads the way in creating respectful, inclusive and civil environments. Our anti-bias education programs operate through ADL’s A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE® Institute and are designed to empower people to recognize and address personal and institutional prejudice and discrimination, and actively promote prejudice-free, inclusive schools and communities in which individual differences are respected and valued. Our programming is implemented in over 120 schools across New England.

The New England Regional Office is based in Boston and led by Regional Director Robert Trestan. Two boards of committed lay leaders—a regional board and a young leadership board—as well as a professional staff provide guidance and support.