On July 23, Congregation Bnai Yeshurun will be hosting an event regarding current trends in combating anti-Semitism, sponsored by their adult education committee. The featured speaker will be Elan Carr, special attorney appointed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. Due to Carr’s stellar speaking skills and facinating background—including being a descendent of Ashkenazi Holocaust and Sephardic Iraqi pogrom survivors—the shul is expecting several hundred attendees, from all denominations and congregations, motivated by the concern about the recent surge in anti-Semitism. Bnai Yeshurun will be holding the event in their main sanctuary to accommodate the large group.

David Chesir, a member of the adult education committee, noted, “This is the right time in the United States to bring in a federally appointed official to speak to the Jewish community on behalf of the administration in regards to anti-Semitism.” Carr’s speech will focus on the current administration’s means of identifying and defeating anti-Semitism worldwide.

Carr’s official title is special envoy for monitoring and combatting anti-Semitism. Prior to this appointment, Carr was deputy district attorney in the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office. There, he concentrated on crimes committed by street-gang members, and later, crimes against special victims. A one-time congressional candidate, Carr was also the international president of Alpha Epsilon Pi at his alma mater, UC Berkeley, where he studied philosophy and political science.

Additionally, Carr is a JAG Corps officer in the U.S Army Reserve and an Iraq War veteran. During the Iraq War, Carr led U.S soldiers in lighting a Chanukah menorah in Sadaam Hussein’s former presidential palace.

By Hannah Kirsch

Hannah Kirsch is a rising senior at Rae Kushner Yeshiva High School in Livingston and a summer intern at The Jewish Link.