Dr. Alex Hershaft

Dr. Alex Hershaft is a Polish-born American, Holocaust survivor, and staunch animal rights advocate. He co-founded the Farm Animal Rights Movement (FARM), the eldest organization in the U.S. focusing exclusively on animal rights. His career spans over a 30-year background in materials science and environmental consulting, before shifting his focus to animal rights and social justice.

Hershaft launched several initiatives through FARM, including "World Farm Animals Day" in 1983, the "Great American Meatout" in 1985, and "10 Billion Lives" in 2011. Recognition for his work includes induction into the U.S. Vegetarian Hall of Fame (1998) and the U.S. Animal Rights Hall of Fame (2001). Hershaft also serves on the Advisory Council of the Center for Jewish Food Ethics.

Renowned for his public speaking at national animal rights conferences, Hershaft discusses topics such as personal growth, leadership, and social change. During Animal Rights National Conferences, he covers a number of other topics such as advocacy, negotiations, and environmental protection.

He has been a vegetarian for six decades and a vegan for four, making him a sought-after speaker at conferences in the United States and overseas. Hershaft's work is recognized by international media outlets such as the London Evening Standard, The Jerusalem Post, Haaretz, and The Times of Israel. He is currently devoting his time to a book that will be partly Holocaust memoir, partly comparing some aspects of the Holocaust to the slaughter of animals for food, and partly an appeal for recognition of animal rights. A related documentary is in the works.