By Stephanie Wells
SAN DIEGO — It’s not easy to be Jewish these days. It often feels like we’re under attack from every direction: online, on campus, in conversations with colleagues, and even in our own social circles. The constant barrage of misinformation, hostility, and thinly-veiled antisemitism can be overwhelming. Many of us want to do something to protect ourselves and our communities, but we don’t know where to turn.
That was precisely how I felt before joining the ADL’s Glass Leadership Institute (GLI). I first heard about GLI when ADL San Diego was seeking candidates. The program is open to Jews and non-Jews in the age range of 20’s to 40’s who are deeply committed to standing up for truth, justice, and community. The selection process is competitive, and I was excited to be chosen. But I am willing to admit I was also skeptical.
Was it going to be nine months of lectures on the Middle East? Another classroom experience I would just sit through politely? I wondered what, exactly, I had signed up for. But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
GLI is a nine-month program that asks for only two commitments: attend the monthly sessions and take part in ADL’s Never Is Now convention in New York City (with financial support to make it accessible). That’s it. But what you get out of it is so much more.
Every monthly meeting was engaging, eye-opening, and practical. ADL’s ability to collect and analyze data on extremism is its true superpower, and they shared it with us in ways I had never experienced before. I learned about the operations of extremist groups, the meanings of their symbols, and how to identify their tactics.
I also learned something more personal: how to manage my emotions when talking to someone who disagrees with me about Israel or Jewish identity. Instead of shutting down or getting defensive, I learned how to speak from my own deeply personal perspective in a way that could be heard. That skill alone was worth it.
One of the highlights of the program was the trip to New York for the Never Is Now convention — the world’s largest annual summit on antisemitism and hate. I found myself in the same space as some of my favorite pro-Israel influencers and leaders I had admired from afar.
We met with high-profile government officials from across the globe. We lunched with members of the ADL community from every corner of the world.
Panels explored everything from antisemitism on campus to the role of artificial intelligence in spreading (or combating) hate. It was mind-blowing to be part of such a powerful gathering of minds, voices, and hearts all dedicated to one mission: fighting hate in all its forms.
By the end of my GLI year, I realized something had shifted. I had grown not just in knowledge, but as a human being.
I am no longer afraid or uncomfortable in the face of antisemitism. I have the data, the skills, and the community to stand strong. When the world feels hostile, I know I am not alone. I am connected to others who share my values and my determination to push back against hate.
Honestly, GLI is one of the best things I have done for myself in many, many years. It provided me with tools that I will use for a lifetime. But even more, it gave me back a sense of myself that is confident, informed, supported, and empowered.
If you’re in your 20’s, 30’s, or 40’s – Jewish or not – and you’ve ever felt the weight of today’s climate of antisemitism, disinformation, and extremism and wanted to do something about it, the Glass Leadership Institute is for you. With the deadline approaching on September 15th, you should apply online or reach out to ADL at san-diego@adl.org.
The program is not just about protecting the Jewish community. It’s about standing up against hate in all its forms, wherever it shows up, and building a safer, stronger, more connected society.
Hate thrives when good people feel powerless.
The ADL’s Glass Leadership Institute gives you the power back. It equips you with knowledge, skills, and community to not only face hate but to fight it effectively.
I came into GLI feeling skeptical, but I came out stronger, prouder, and more determined than ever. If you’re looking for a place to turn, to grow, and to stand up – this is it.
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Stephanie Wells is a lifelong entrepreneur, designer, and business owner who is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor. She lives in San Diego with her two children.