Please find below a selection about the ADL primarily taken from our website (www.adl.org).

OSCE Ratifies Landmark "Berlin Declaration" Against Anti-Semitism
At the conclusion of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Conference on Anti-Semitism, the leaders of 55 nations unveiled a landmark "Berlin Declaration" against anti-Semitism, pledging to "intensify efforts to combat anti-Semitism in all its manifestations and to promote and strengthen tolerance and non-discrimination. A delegation of ADL leaders, on hand to participate in the two-day conference, hailed the unveiling of the Berlin Declaration as "the end of European denial" of anti-Semitism. More

The OSCE Declaration Against Anti-Semitism

ADL Urges Nations To Combat Anti-Semitism
Excerpts from an address by Abraham H. Foxman, National Director of the Anti-Defamation League to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's Conference on Anti-Semitism. More

U.S. Secretary of State: Anti-Semitism "Always Dangerous"
The OSCE meeting opened with Address by Secretary of State Colin Powell, who said: "We must send the clear message far and wide that anti-Semitism is always wrong and it is always dangerous." Full Text

American Civil Rights Groups Offer Support
A high level delegation of leaders from the premier civil rights groups in America attended the Berlin conference to show their solidarity and commitment to the fight against anti-Semitism. Among the representatives issuing statements at the conference was Wade Henderson, Executive Director of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights. More

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Washington, DC, December 10, 2002

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today issued a 10-point action agenda against global anti-Semitism for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to mobilize its 55 member nations to take the fight against anti-Semitism to a new level of intensity.

In testimony before an inter-parliamentary forum on Confronting and Combating anti-Semitism on Capitol Hill, Kenneth Jacobson, ADL Associate National Director, urged parliamentarians from the U.S. and Germany to broaden the alliance of nations willing to speak out against anti-Semitism and to utilize the OSCE to "turn bold recognition and understanding of the problem and its urgency into concerted, multilateral action."

Separation of Church and State - Amicus Briefs

1. Engel v. Vitale (370 U.S. 421 (1962))
This case, one of the first to involve the issue of school prayer, questioned the constitutionality of including school-sponsored prayer as part of the exercises that begin each public school day. As amicus curiae, ADL successfully argued that the school's prayer policy constituted an official endorsement of religion and, as such, violated the Establishment Clause. PDF 1,369 kb

2. Santa Fe Independent School District v. Doe (530 U.S. 290 (2000)):
This case, which questioned the constitutionality of school-sponsored prayer at public high school football games, is one of the Supreme Court's most recent interpretations of the issue of prayer in public schools. As amicus curiae, ADL successfully argued that the school's prayer policy constituted an official endorsement of religion and, as such, violated the Establishment Clause. PDF 2,427 kb

1. Lemon v. Kurtzman (403 U.S. 602 (1971)):
The question at issue in this case was whether or not a state law that reimbursed private schools (the majority of which were religiously affiliated) for the cost of teacher's salaries and teaching materials was constitutional. As amicus curiae, ADL successfully maintained that such a law constituted government funding of religious activities and, as a result, directly violated the Establishment Clause. Its participation in the case announced the famous "Lemon test," which is still used today to determine which activities breach the church-state boundary. PDF 2,896 kb

2. Sloan v. Lemon (413 U.S. 825 (1973)):
The question at issue in this case was whether or not a state law that partially reimbursed parents for tuition payments made to private schools, the majority of which were religiously affiliated, was constitutional. In its brief, ADL successfully maintained that such a law constituted government funding of religious activities and, as a result, violated the Establishment Clause. PDF 1,844 kb

3. Committee for Public Education and Religious Liberty v. Nyquist (1973):
This case questioned the constitutionality of a state law that bestowed tax benefits upon parents who made tuition payments to private schools, the majority of which were religiously affiliated. As amicus curiae, ADL successfully argued that such a law constituted government funding of religious activities and, as a result, violated the Establishment Clause. PDF 1,557 kb

4. Mitchell v. Helms (530 U.S. 793 (2000)):
This case questioned the constitutionality of government aid in the form of instructional materials and equipment to religious schools. In its brief, ADL argued that since such equipment could easily be diverted to religious uses, the aid constituted government funding of religious activities and directly violated the Establishment Clause. Unfortunately, the Court held that this type of aid was constitutional because it did not have the primary effect of advancing religion.
PDF 2,199 kb

1. County of Allegheny v. ACLU (492 U.S. 573 (1989)):
This case the questioned the constitutionality of Christmas Nativity Scenes and Chanukah Menorahs in buildings that house government offices. As amicus curiae, ADL argued that both types of displays constituted an official endorsement of religion and, as such, violated the Establishment Clause. The Court agreed that the Nativity Scene was unconstitutional, but held that the Menorah did not violate the wall between church and state because it was not a religious symbol. PDF 3,677 kb

1. Zelman v. Harris-Simmons (Nos. 00-1751, 00-1777, 00-1779; submitted 12/14/01)
Zelman v. Harris-Simmons asks whether a state may use vouchers to pay the tuition of children attending religious schools. As amicus curiae, ADL argued that "school choice" programs, such as this one which essentially forces parents to choose between failing public schools and religious private schools, violates church-state separation and fails to recognize what ADL's hard won experience has taught it: the separation of church and state has advanced the cause of religious freedom in America. PDF 55 kb

1. ADL has authored an amicus brief submitted to the U.S. Supreme Court in Elk Grove School District v. Newdow. This case will determine the constitutionality of a school district policy which mandates daily teacher-led recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by elementary school students in order to comply with a California patriotic exercise requirement.

The brief argues that the policy may run counter to students’ religious beliefs, consciences and upbringings. It violates the U.S. Constitution’s religion clauses because government may not impose religious beliefs on its citizens, especially in the public elementary school setting. PDF 88 kb