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March 30, 2001/Nisan 6, 5761, Vol. 53, No.26
Straus appointed to ADL post
BARRY COHEN
Community Editor
Bill Straus, long-time Valley resident and former host of the radio talk show, "Straus' Place," has been named regional director of the Anti-Defamation League, based on Phoenix.
Straus became familiar with the ADL in the mid-1990s, when he did a series of shows on hate crimes legislation and interviewed Joel Breshin, then ADL regional director, he said.
When he learned recently of the job opening, he was curious, Straus added.
"You know that little voice inside you, when you ignore it, later on it kicks you in the butt?" he asked. "That little voice was screaming at me."
Straus researched the organization's mission and got more interested.
"We know he will be able to translate his strong knowledge of community and public affairs to work for the ADL," said Ilyse Levine, assistant director of community service division of the ADL. Straus was hired through the national ADL office and leadership.
"I am excited he has joined the team," said Marty Shultz, ADL board member and director of government relations at APS. Shultz noted Straus' "sensitivity to issues and his background in communication and leadership."
Straus hosted "Straus' Place" for nearly a decade, first on KTAR and then on KXAM. A graduate of the University of Iowa, he serves on the boards of Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Phoenix, the 100 Club, and the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Foundation.
Straus has also served on the steering committee of the Interfaith Action Coalition of Arizona.
"He's an incredible person ... who can build bridges in the community," said Beth McCoy, ADL regional director of development.
Straus said he is attracted to ADL's mission of preserving fairness and ensuring justice, and to increase community awareness that ADL is a "civil rights battler" for all races and ethnicities.
Another goal is to ensure the effectiveness of ADL's full-time private investigator. The investigator, whose identity, Straus said, is confidential, makes inquiries about alleged discriminatory incidents, literature, Web sites and short-wave broadcasting programs, said Straus.
"I want our value as a fact-finding organization to be increased," he added.
According to an organizational brochure, ADL was founded in 1913 to fight anti-Semitism, hatred, prejudice and bigotry through programs and services.
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