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On July 13 and 14, 2026, Hadassah partnered with the American Muslim and Multifaith Women's Empowerment Council (AMMWEC) in Washington, DC, 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," said attendee Randi Cohen Coblenz, National Advocacy Team liaison for Hadassah Greater Washington and Baltimore areas.
At the conference, Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz delivered a keynote address, highlighting the power of interfaith partnerships in fighting hate and how Hadassah hospitals work to build bridges to peace through medicine every day.
"Together, as women of faith, we have a unique opportunity to push back against the hatred that threatens our communities and highlight the power of interfaith dialogue and partnership,” said Schwartz. “When people ask me whether Jews and Muslims can work together, I think of Hadassah, and I say: 'They already do. Every single day.' We, like Hadassah hospitals, can serve as a bridge to peace.”
Also in attendance were Hadassah leaders National Vice President Michelle Hubertus, National Advocacy Team liaisons Kathy Hershfield and Gail Shookoff-Moskowitz, as well as Director of Government Relations Elizabeth Cullen, who participated in substantive discussions about combating hate, the proliferation of discrimination on social media and the critical role interfaith dialogue plays in building understanding.
"Every speaker and discussion underscored the need for sustained interfaith dialogue to combat antisemitism,” said Shookoff-Moskowitz, liaison for Hadassah Super South and part of Hadassah Midwest. “This was a dialogue rooted in the shared humanity and values of the Abrahamic traditions, rather than the divisive sound bites of social media.”
Following the conference, Cohen Coblenz, Hershfield, Shookoff-Moskowitz and Cullen, along with several AMMWEC representatives, met with members of Congress to express shared concerns about rising antisemitism, Islamophobia and religiously motivated hate. This alliance of interfaith women pressed lawmakers to strengthen protections for houses of worship, enhance security for nonprofit organizations and address the alarming rise in hate crimes targeting people of faith.
"Watching congressional staff and elected officials hear Jews and Muslims speak with one voice about our shared values, mutual concerns and common aspirations was especially inspiring,” said Hershfield, liaison for Hadassah Metro area and Hadassah Southern New Jersey. “Our work together challenged assumptions that our communities are inevitably at odds and demonstrated that collaboration and mutual respect are powerful drivers for change."
Visit Hadassah’s National Action Center to call on your members of Congress to address the alarming rise in antisemitism.
