Jewish Advocate , MA
Dec 6 2007

Tarsy resignation draws mixed emotions from area colleagues

By Rachel L. Axelbank – Thursday December 6 2007

ADL regional director’s motives for stepping down unclear

Following Andrew Tarsy’s announcement this week of his resignation as
New England regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, local
leaders are saddened by his decision but ready to go forward without
him.

`I decided that it’s time for me to move on,’ Tarsy told the
Advocate on Tuesday, shortly after his letter of resignation – signed
`with love and prayers’ – went out via e-mail to members of the ADL
New England community and scores of his other colleagues and friends.
Other parties, including ADL New England staff and board members,
were notified as early as Sunday, according to an ADL spokesman.
Tarsy said that the timeline of his departure from the ADL has yet to
be determined. And as for what comes next, he can’t yet say.
`I’m looking into that, but I really haven’t been able to spend any
time thinking about it,’ said Tarsy, an attorney-turned-civil rights
activist.
Tarsy’s counterparts at other agencies were surprised and chagrined
to learn of his impending departure.
`We’re all curious about what’s behind this,’ said Larry Lowenthal,
executive director of the Boston Chapter of the American Jewish
Committee. `Without a doubt, many people are going to have suspicions
that he’s leaving against his will.’
Tarsy’s resignation is the latest development in a prolonged period
of professional limbo, during which he was fired and then rehired by
the ADL’s national office after publicly dissenting from ADL
national’s initial stance on the 20th century Armenian massacres,
which did not recognize the killings as genocide. He declined to
comment on to what extent this summer’s controversy inspired his
resignation.
`I think it’s very clear what happened,’ said Nancy Kaufman,
executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of
Greater Boston.
`He is a courageous Jewish professional who spoke out based on his
own personal beliefs and wasn’t able to … influence his national
system, so he’s taking the moral high road and saying `I can’t do
this.’ You fight the good fight and then you know when to leave. I
think the regional office will be weaker for it.’
On Tuesday, the national chapter issued a statement that read in its
entirety: `Andy Tarsy has tendered his resignation and we have
accepted it.’
ADL New England Board Member Jason Chudnofsky said that Tarsy’s
departure will not affect the overall operation of the regional
organization.
`It’s all about the brands, and less about the people – you never put
your entire future on any one person at any one time,’ Chudnofsky
said. `I support the ADL brand and what the brand stands for.
`I think Andy made a professional decision to say, `because of all
the things that happened, I think it’s time to move on and give the
reins to someone else.’ It’s all about the team, and ADL still has a
wonderful team of people.’
Tarsy was inclined to agree.
`I’ll miss working with wonderful people who are committed and
passionate and who have given me far more than I’ve given them,’ he
said, naming the ADL New England board, staff and volunteers as well
as other members of the community.
Likewise, Lowenthal expressed his admiration for Tarsy’s stance on
the Armenian issue as well as his handling of the past year’s
controversy between the local Jewish community and the Islamic
Society of Boston. Kaufman commended Tarsy’s work to push the new
state government on issues concerning hate crimes and his efforts to
counter the Somerville Divestment Project.
`He’s a terrific young Jewish leader,’ she said. `The question is now
about who comes in next.’
According to James Rudolph, ADL New England board chairman, it will
be important for the branch’s next director to maintain strong
working relationships with local organizations and to also
acknowledge the bigger picture.
`Anybody who is hired has to recognize that we’re part of a national
organization,’ said Rudolph, who added that a search committee is
currently being formed to find Tarsy’s replacement. `I really enjoyed
working with Andy and I’m sorry to see him go. He really brought new
energy and enthusiasm to the office.’
Still, the question of what he’d like to be remembered for gave Tarsy
pause. `I’ve been so busy, I’m not capable of reflecting that
deeply,’ he said, chuckling. `I would say that I’ve tried to bring
the ADL’s mission to life for the best interests of our community.’
And as for his general outlook?
`I feel very good.’ he said. `I’m excited for Chanukah, and I’m
excited for our leadership celebration [Wednesday] night.’ Tarsy
declined to comment on what he hopes to receive for Chanukah.

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