The battle against evil can sometimes be fought quietly. 

The Mizel Institute annual dinner was held last week, as it is every May. It’s one of the major charitable events in Colorado, drawing a crowd of 1,000-plus of Colorado’s A-Listers (and those who aspire to be). The occasion is an opportunity to see and celebrate the philanthropic work of business leader Larry Mizel and his family, as the event focuses on religious and racial tolerance and preserving and promoting Jewish culture. 

Given the Israel-Hamas war, and the rise of antisemitism in our state and across the nation, this major event took on even more significance this year.

Those of us who are weary of the politically correct tolerance of rank antisemitism among the pro-Hamas protestors were wondering if it was time for some public pushback. 

Wouldn’t it be nice at an event celebrating Jewish culture to stage a pep rally for the good guys? 

Wasn’t it time to stand up and loudly say “enough?”

Larry Mizel didn’t get where he is in life by reacting to circumstances. He shapes them. Keeping the dinner focused on the positive, rather than reacting to the foul, was wise and shrewd. 

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Rather than using this annual platform to target Hamas, the focus was on what the Mizel Institute accomplishes. While Hamas supporters on college campuses — and in the Colorado legislature — are loud, obnoxious, disruptive and irritating, the Mizel Institute quietly shows people of deep Jewish faith should be proud to celebrate their culture. A litany of positive accomplishments blots out the hatred of those who would wipe Israel off the map.

This fits the Mizel persona: a quiet leader who spends his time getting important stuff done. 

Who is this Colorado business titan most people have never heard of?

If you don’t live in one of the houses he built, you know someone who does.  Richmond American is one of the major homebuilders in the country, and Mizel started it from scratch.  

That’s just the beginning of how he has affected politics, culture and foreign affairs in Colorado, nationally and globally for decades.

For example, here in Colorado, there is the Mizel Museum, which provides a forum for combating racism and antisemitism. After the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks, the Mizel Institute launched the Counterterrorism Education Learning Lab (CELL) which draws attention to the threat of global terrorism.

Larry Mizel also is one of the founders of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, a major force for promoting tolerance, something in short supply, particularly on the hard left. The center also operates the Museum of Tolerance in two locations: Los Angeles and a recently opened one in Jerusalem. 

Mizel has also been a major force in shaping Colorado public policy for many decades, particularly through his founding of Colorado Concern which brings together dozens of the state’s top chief executives.

Then there is his interaction with Israel and Israel’s leaders.

Mizel has spent decades identifying, cultivating, and educating aspiring Republican presidential candidates. The Israel-based newspaper Haaretz referred to him in a profile as the “go-to Jew” if you want to build a serious campaign.

At the same time, he has developed friendships with prominent Colorado Democrats, including governors and U.S. senators. After all, given the state of the GOP, it’s not terribly productive to hitch your wagon exclusively to the Republican elephant.  

For both groups, he hosts tours of Israel that not only provide an in-depth understanding of the geographic proximity of those who want to eliminate the Jewish state. He also arranges meetings with Israel’s top leaders including Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu. 

It’s not just to show how cool he is or that he’s on a first-name basis with Bibi. It’s to help build a network of leaders who, at the very least, have seen and heard the very real challenges and threats facing America’s closest Middle East ally. 

What a contrast with the antisemites in their tent cities. 

To fight back against evil, you don’t need to be evil too, screeching back on social media. Cling to your faith, stand up for your values and invest time and treasure in helping others live in safety and freedom.

That was the lesson of this year’s Mizel Institute dinner.

Sean Duffy, a former deputy chief of staff to Gov. Bill Owens, is a communications and media relations strategist and ghostwriter based in the Denver area.