Marvin Hier. Photo: Maxine Dovere.

Marvin Hier

Founder and dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center

Rabbi Marvin Hier is the founder and current dean of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, one of the world’s leading Jewish human rights organizations, and its educational arm the Museum of Tolerance, with locations in Los Angeles, New York and Jerusalem. Hier also is a two-time Academy Award winner for his documentary work in connection with the center’s Moriah Films. The center primarily researches and teaches the Holocaust and hate in a historical and contemporary context; confronts antisemitism, hate and terrorism; promotes human rights and dignity; and stands with Israel. In 2014, at a pro-Israel rally in Los Angeles, he challenged the hypocrisy of the world’s leaders: “Why is it only an emergency when Israel finally defends herself and responds to the terrorists?”