At the ADL dinner: (left to right) honorees Rabbi Robert Orkand, Gayle Weinstein, Joyce Backman and Ken Backman, and ADL Connecticut Regional Director Gary Jones. Photo by Harold Shapiro.

Despite the approach of Hurricane Sandy, some 200 guests joined the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Oct. 28 to honor exceptional community leaders in Upper Fairfield County. ADL gave its Distinguished Community Leadership Award to Weston First Selectwoman Gayle Weinstein – who was introduced by Senator Richard Blumenthal – as well as Westport residents Joyce and Ken Backman. Rabbi Robert Orkand, spiritual leader of Temple Israel of Westport and a longtime ADL lay leader, received a Special Recognition Award. “It was an exceptional evening,” said ADL Connecticut Regional Director Gary Jones. “All of our honorees clearly understand the value of ADL’s work, and in their acceptance speeches, focused on how ADL impacted their lives on a personal level. We are proud of the strong relationship we have with the towns comprising Upper Fairfield County and the support we have from our constituents in those towns.”