Hadassah & AMMWEC Gather Interfaith Leaders to Combat Hate

On July 13 and 14, 2026, Hadassah partnered with the American Muslim and Multifaith Women’s Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) in Washington, D.C., to sponsor the second annual National Coalition Against Antisemitism and Hate Conference, bringing together leaders across different religions and backgrounds to combat hate.

In a strong display of unity, Hadassah and AMMWEC advocates built personal connections, discussed shared values in fighting hatred, and spoke to lawmakers about the urgent need to address rising antisemitism and Islamophobia.

“When we convene for a common purpose and share our experiences, we take away a greater appreciation and respect for each other’s traditions.” — Randi Cohen Coblenz, National Advocacy Team liaison, Hadassah Greater Washington and Baltimore

A Keynote on Bridges to Peace

Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz delivered the conference’s keynote address, highlighting the power of interfaith partnerships in fighting hate and describing how Hadassah’s hospitals work to build bridges to peace through medicine every day.

Schwartz added that when people ask whether Jews and Muslims can truly work together, she points to Hadassah’s own hospitals as the answer — describing them, like the coalition itself, as a bridge to peace.

Substantive Discussions on Hate and Social Media

Also in attendance were Hadassah National Vice President Michelle Hubertus, National Advocacy Team liaisons Kathy Hershfield and Gail Shookoff-Moskowitz, and Director of Government Relations Elizabeth Cullen, who took part in discussions on combating hate, the spread of discrimination on social media, and the role interfaith dialogue plays in building understanding.

“Every speaker and discussion underscored the need for sustained interfaith dialogue to combat antisemitism.” — Gail Shookoff-Moskowitz, liaison, Hadassah Super South and Hadassah Midwest

Shookoff-Moskowitz described the conference as a dialogue grounded in the shared humanity and values of the Abrahamic traditions, distinct from what she characterized as the more divisive tone often found on social media.

Taking the Message to Congress

Following the conference, Cohen Coblenz, Hershfield, Shookoff-Moskowitz, and Cullen, together with several AMMWEC representatives, met with members of Congress to raise shared concerns about rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and religiously motivated hate. The coalition pressed lawmakers to strengthen protections for houses of worship, enhance security funding for nonprofit organizations, and address the increase in hate crimes targeting people of faith.

“Watching congressional staff and elected officials hear Jews and Muslims speak with one voice… was especially inspiring.” — Kathy Hershfield, liaison, Hadassah Metro area and Hadassah Southern New Jersey

Hershfield said the joint advocacy effort challenged assumptions that Jewish and Muslim communities are inevitably at odds, demonstrating instead that collaboration and mutual respect can serve as powerful drivers for change.