California's Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis in Conversation with ADL Regional Director Marc Levine (THIS IS AN IN-PERSON ONLY EVENT)

Antisemitism has been on the uptick for the past few years in the US. Since October 7th, however, and the massacre of Israelis and Israel’s subsequent response, antisemitism is even more explicit. The Jewish community has struggled to respond and to know where to look for allies. California's Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis and Regional ADL Director Marc Levine will join a community conversation about these issues of the hour, regarding the Israel war with Hamas and antisemitism in California.

This is an in-person only event co-sponsorsed by: Anti-Defamation League, Osher-Marin JCC, Marin Interfaith Council, Congregation Rodef Sholom, Jewish Family and Children’s Services Holocaust Center, Brandeis Marin Day School

Ambassador Eleni Kounalakis was sworn in as the 50th Lieutenant Governor of California by Governor Gavin Newsom on January 7th, 2019. She is the first woman elected Lt. Governor of California. A native Californian, she visited each of the state’s 58 counties during her historic campaign. In addition to her duties as Lt. Governor, Kounalakis is California’s Representative for International Affairs and Trade, appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom by executive order. From 2010 to 2013, Kounalakis served as President Barack Obama’s Ambassador to the Republic of Hungary. Eleni Kounalakis graduated from Dartmouth College in 1989 and earned her Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from U.C. Berkeley’s Haas School of Business in 1992. She holds an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from the American College of Greece. She is married to Dr. Markos Kounalakis and the couple has two sons in college, Neo and Eon.

Marc Levine served in the California State Assembly from 2012 to 2022, representing Marin and southern Sonoma counties. He was a founding member of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and has advocated for laws providing for education against hate speech and funding for nonprofit security grants. He also joined with his colleagues in the legislature in creating the state’s first Commission on the State of Hate in California. Levine is a graduate of the Naval Postgraduate School with an M.A. in National Security Affairs and a B.A. from California State University, Northridge in Political Science. He lives in Marin County with his wife and two children.