ADL: more than a century fighting antisemitism and hatred
The history and present-day methods of the Anti-Defamation League, from its 1913 founding to tracking online hate and defending civil rights.
An organization born in 1913
The Anti-Defamation League, usually called ADL, was founded in the United States in 1913. Its original purpose was to combat the defamation of Jews and secure justice and fair treatment. Its founders understood that stereotypes were not merely insulting words: in an environment of exclusion and intimidation, defamatory images could help justify discrimination and violence. ADL grew out of Jewish communal organizing associated with B’nai B’rith and became a national civil-rights and anti-hate organization.
The work of tracking hate
ADL researches antisemitic incidents, extremist movements, conspiratorial propaganda and threats to communities. Its investigators and analysts study both offline organizing and online platforms. Reports, educational materials, law-enforcement resources and regional offices connect the research to practical responses. Counting incidents is difficult: definitions, reporting practices and changes in public attention all affect statistics. Responsible use of ADL data therefore means looking at methodology and distinguishing acts of violence, harassment and rhetoric rather than collapsing everything into a single number.
Education and coalition building
The organization also runs programs intended to help students and teachers recognize stereotyping, bullying and prejudice. Its mission statement says that fighting antisemitism cannot be separated from concern about other forms of bigotry. In practice, ADL has supported cooperation among religious, racial and ethnic communities and worked on civil-rights legislation. Such partnerships are not always politically easy, particularly when partners disagree about Israel, foreign policy or the boundaries of legitimate criticism.
Antisemitism in digital spaces
Modern antisemitism circulates rapidly through memes, coded language, anonymous channels and coordinated misinformation. Conspiracy narratives sometimes reuse centuries-old ideas while dressing them in new political terms. ADL monitors these changes and has advocated responses by technology companies. Those efforts can raise debates about free expression, content moderation and transparency. It is important to distinguish criticism of Israeli government policy, which is legitimate political speech, from hostility, threats or conspiracies directed at Jews as Jews.
Debate and scrutiny
Like many advocacy organizations, ADL is itself criticized and debated. Supporters argue that a well-established national institution offers research capacity, public visibility and protection for threatened groups. Critics question some policy positions, classification choices or relationships with officials and technology firms. Such scrutiny is part of civic life. Strong analysis should identify what ADL actually reported, what method was used and whether independent sources confirm particular claims, without ignoring the genuine danger of antisemitic violence.
The enduring challenge
More than a century after its founding, ADL remains one of the most visible American organizations monitoring antisemitism. Its history illustrates that countering hatred requires more than condemning incidents after they occur. Research, education, law, community relations and protection all matter. The challenge changes as societies and media change, but the underlying question remains constant: how can a plural democracy protect minorities and defend open debate at the same time?