It Could Happen Here

It Could Happen Here describes the insidious ways that unchecked hate can seep into society from the periphery, growing from the seeds of fringe thought into harmful rhetoric and heinous actions. Greenblatt has written a playbook against hate that shows just how fragile the balance between calm and chaos can be when we turn a blind eye. We should heed the warning.--Darren Walker, President, Ford Foundation It Could Happen Here is an indictment of antisemitism on both the left and the right. Jonathan Greenblatt explains his journey and our predicament, and offers a crucial road map for an age of resurgent hate.--Rabbi David Wolpe, Sinai Temple, Los Angeles In this moment, when stubborn, ugly hatreds have again reared their heads, Jonathan Greenblatt offers a superb, clear-eyed snapshot of what is unfolding and why. Even more importantly, he leaves the reader feeling not helpless, but emboldened--helping us see all the ways we can each be a 'story of courage.' His suggestions are concrete, smart, and galvanizing. His writing is compelling. This book is not just the alarm we need but also a bracing call to action. --Abigail Pogrebin, author of My Jewish Year: 18 Holidays; One Wondering Jew In this pivotal moment of American history, Jonathan Greenblatt has written a vital book. It is at once a primer on the various extremisms of our era, and a guide to how to build a healthy, diverse democracy. This book is essential reading. --Eboo Patel, Founder and President, Interfaith Youth Core, and author of Acts of Faith and We Need to Build There has never been a more perilous time for individual rights and liberties. And as Jonathan Greenblatt illustrates so powerfully in It Could Happen Here, we must understand our history, both recent and distant, to avoid the threats to our rights today. Greenblatt offers his piercing insights from multiple perches he's served in--from the White House to the ADL. We must act now, heed his advice, and fight for what's right. --Anthony Romero, Executive Director, ACLU For over a century, ADL has played a crucial role in identifying and countering antisemitism, prejudice, and hatred. In his book, Jonathan Greenblatt helps readers take the battle to their own social networks, by offering practical advice to individuals and institutions on ways to confront and even dismantle hatred in its early stages. In this time of extreme political polarization and quickly growing distrust, Greenblatt's comprehensive work can help us build bridges, build trust, and uproot harmful prejudices from our midst.--Natan Sharansky, Israeli politician, human rights activist, and a former prisoner of conscience in the Soviet Union Jonathan Greenblatt and I have two things in common: a love of storytelling and a strong belief that social media has dangerously amplified bigotry, misogyny, and conspiracy theories. In this refreshingly candid read, Jonathan is not afraid to call out leaders of tech companies like Facebook and Twitter to be more accountable for their role in spreading hatred. Get off Instagram and read this book.--Sacha Baron Cohen Jonathan Greenblatt has channeled his unique combination of entrepreneurship and public service experience into a new vision for ADL. He does the same in this page-turning book, which weaves beautiful stories with practical advice on how to fight hate. An urgent book for an urgent time.--Daniel Lubetzky, Founder and Executive Chairman, KIND Snacks Jonathan Greenblatt has written an urgent work of deep love and deep anxiety -- for the Jewish people, for America, for the state of Israel . . . It Could Happen Here will help shape the conversation on antisemitism and hate in America--Yossi Klein Halevi, Senior Fellow, Shalom Hartman Institute, and author of Letters to My Palestinian Neighbor Purpose-driven business leaders are taking a stand against the rise of hate at home and around the world. As CEO of ADL, an institution that has been at the forefront of the fight against antisemitism, racism and all forms of intolerance, Jonathan Greenblatt has a vision for how companies--and their CEOs--can act responsibly and pragmatically for our collective future. This book lays out the how and why.--hamina Singh, Founder & President, Center for Inclusive Growth, Mastercard