Anti-Defamation League Names New Regional Director for New England

Date: August 20, 2008

ADL is pleased to announce that it has hired Derrek L. Shulman to be the new Regional Director of the ADL's New England Region. Shulman, a graduate of Clark University and UMass Boston, will begin serving as New England Regional Director in early October 2008.

"We conducted an exhaustive search and are fortunate to have found a leader of Derrek's caliber," said James L. Rudolph, Chair of the ADL's New England Regional Board. "This is an exciting time for ADL New England, and Derrek has all the qualifications, contacts and leadership skills to ensure our organization performs its crucial mission of fighting anti-Semitism and hate."

ADL New England Director of Development Jonathan Kappel has served as Interim Regional Director for several months. "We want to thank Jonathan for doing an outstanding job as Interim Director," said Rudolph. "We are extremely grateful for his service to the ADL New England Region and look forward to working with him in the future. We have thrived with Jonathan leading our team as Interim Director."

Kappel will continue to serve in his position as director of Development for the ADL of New England. "The Regional Director is the voice of ADL in the communities that we serve; Derrek is the best person to continue and grow ADL's presence and influence as the premier Civil Rights organization" Kappel said. "I have known Derrek professionally for many years and am thrilled to have him join ADL in this capacity. I look forward to working with him."

Shulman joins the ADL after serving nearly 6 years as New England Political Director of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) in Boston. During his time with AIPAC, Shulman built strong relationships with lay leaders and elected officials in all six New England states. He was also responsible for growing AIPAC's annual fundraising campaign.

Eric Giesser, the Regional Director for AIPAC had this to say about Derrek and his new post: "This is great news for the community at large; to a have a leader of Derrek's dedication promoted to this level, and we look forward to continuing to work with ADL under Derrek's leadership."

Shulman also brings to ADL of New England much experience in politics, state and local government, journalism, and academia. Shulman is an Adjunct Faculty member at Lasell College's Graduate School of Elder Care Management, where he teaches marketing and politics. He has also worked as a daily newspaper reporter and columnist, with articles appearing in publications such as the Boston Globe and Baltimore Sun. Before joining AIPAC, Shulman was Chief of Staff for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs.

The hiring of Shulman will strengthen the ADL in New England, as it moves forward with its educational, legal, and community relations efforts aimed at combating hate of all kinds, while promoting diversity. "We are entering a growth period at ADL, and Derrek is the perfect choice to lead us through it," said Esta Gordon Epstein, Chair Elect of the ADL's New England Regional Board. "Derrek has the vision, people skills, and experience to enhance our ability to build bridges between ADL and other groups and communities, and to promote diversity and appreciation for our differences." Shulman will begin serving as Regional Director in October 2008. He lives in Needham, MA with his wife Beth, and their two young children.