For two years, the position of Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism remained unfilled. On February 4, 2019, Elan Carr was appointed to serve in this key position, a new partner for Hadassah in the fight against global anti-Semitism.

"We are thrilled by the selection of Elan Carr as Special Envoy," said Hadassah National President Ellen Hershkin. "Mr. Carr is articulate, knowledgeable, and committed to the Jewish community. And he has an excellent track record of fighting for justice as a Jewish leader, a criminal prosecutor, and a US Army officer.  Especially impressive was his leadership in combating BDS on college campuses during his tenure as International President of AEPi."

"Hadassah has a long history of speaking out against anti-Semitism, having played an active role in the creation of the Special Envoy office in 2004," she said.

In January 2019, Hadassah members passed a Combating Anti-Semitism policy statement to address this growing issue both at home and abroad. Hadassah continues to advocate for the elevation of the position of the Special Envoy to the rank of Ambassador through The Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Act of 2017 which recently passed in the House of Representatives and will be voted on in the Senate imminently. Hadassah members and leaders have advocated for the special envoy position to be filled since it became vacant in January 2017.

Janice Weinman, Hadassah Executive Director and CEO, added, "Hadassah thanks our colleagues in Congress from both sides of the aisle who worked diligently to see this position filled. Hadassah applauds the President of the United States and the Secretary of State for filling the Special Envoy position and recognizing that the United States must act to combat anti-Semitism in all its forms. Special Envoy Elan Carr will build on the success of his predecessors: Gregg Rickman, appointed under President George W. Bush, and Hannah Rosenthal and Ira Forman, both appointed under President Barack Obama."

Hadassah is working to combat anti-Semitism in many ways. Want to get involved?

Check out our Israel and The World Action Center, which makes it easy to write and call your legislators about Hadassah priority issues.

Whether it's expanding Holocaust and anti-hate education in the United States, combating  anti-Semitic and anti-Israel bias in textbooks being used in the West Bank and Gaza, or standing for a robust US-Israel relationship, there are actions you can take to make a difference.