Scarsdale’s John Harris to Chair ADL NY Region

John Harris of Scarsdale has been elected Board Chair of the Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) New York Region. Harris, a partner in the Manhattan law firm of Stillman, Friedman and Shechtman, P.C., assumed the role at ADL New York’s Annual Meeting, held June 15 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Mr. Harris is a veteran ADL leader, having served most recently as Vice Chair of the New York Regional Board and as co-chair of the ADL Lawyers’ Division. He is an experienced and well-respected civil and white-collar criminal litigator and is frequently consulted on matters of professional ethics.

“John has long exemplified the very best in lay leadership for ADL,” said Ron Meier, ADL New York Regional Director. “In his years of service to the Lawyers’ Division he has been active on a wide range of civil rights policy issues and has made his biggest mark with his efforts to build support for ADL in the legal community. I look forward to working closely with John in carrying out ADL’s mission to combat hatred and bigotry."

“It is a great honor to serve in this new role,” said Mr. Harris. “This is an important and exciting time for ADL New York, and I look forward to being at the forefront of the League’s mission to create a dialogue among faiths, to find common ground even when it may be difficult to see, and to encourage respect even when it is simply easier to mistrust.”

Harris is a member of Westchester Reform Temple and is actively involved in city and state bar organizations. He also acts as a volunteer mediator. Harris is a graduate of Yale University and the New York University School of Law. He and his wife and their two children live in Scarsdale.

He replaces former Board Chair Jeffrey M. Parker who has just completed a two-year term.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

The Person of the Week Column is sponsored by Johnny Rockets, Home of the Original Hamburger, recently opened for breakfast, lunch and dinner at 777 White Plains Road in Scarsdale.