The decision to install a purveyor of antisemitic libels could have a negative impact on the local Jewish community, and it goes completely against Rotary’s values.
The Rotary Club of Orange County L.A. recently installed Farrah Khan, who has a history of promoting antisemitic slander, as its president.
In a letter dated June 22, 2026, the Jewish Community Action Network, the Israeli-American Council and the Jewish Federation of Orange County appealed to the club not to install Khan, a former mayor of Irvine, Calif., citing several examples of antisemitic blood libels she had spread on social media.
They included, for example, an Al Jazeera article alleging that Israel had bombed a girls’ school in Iran, adding that the “sick pedophiles/cannibals are doing what they do best.”
In another post, Khan claimed that “handcuffed babies were found in a mass grave” and blamed Israel for the alleged atrocity. Other posts accused the Jewish state of genocide.
Despite acknowledging receipt of the letter, Rotary District Governor Craig Livingston installed Khan on June 27.
In contrast, James Mai, vice mayor of Irvine, Calif., who served for two years as vice chair of the Rotary Club’s fundraising foundation, showed moral integrity.
He told the Jerusalem News Syndicate that he saw it as a “great organization” that helps the community, but he resigned from both the club and the foundation after Khan became the president.
“I’m the vice mayor of a city, and I’m an elected official. I represent all sorts of people,” he told JNS. “I don’t want to be involved in a group that is being led by someone who’s saying antisemitic things.”
Rotary clubs unite business professionals and community leaders around charitable work, ethical leadership and international cooperation. Members gather regularly to build connections, hear from guest speakers and organize service projects aimed at helping people in their communities and beyond.
The decision to install a purveyor of antisemitic libels could have a negative impact on the local Jewish community, and it goes completely against Rotary’s values.
Please write to the appropriate authorities to demand Farrah Khan be removed from the presidency of Rotary Club of Orange County L.A.
Write to Rotary District Gov. Monica Peters: rotarymonicapeters@gmail.com
Immediate past Rotary District Gov. Craig Livingston: craig92821@gmail.com
Sample letter:
I am writing to demand the immediate removal of Farrah N. Khan from the presidency of the Rotary Club of Orange County/Los Angeles.
Khan has a history of spreading antisemitic libels.
They include, for example, an Al Jazeera article alleging that Israel had bombed a girls’ school in Iran, adding that the “sick pedophiles/cannibals are doing what they do best.”
In another post, Khan claimed that “handcuffed babies were found in a mass grave” and blamed Israel for the alleged atrocity. Other posts accused the Jewish state of genocide.
This type of slander against the Jewish state has resulted in an alarming spike in antisemitism, especially since Oct. 7, 2023.
In fact, the Anti-Defamation League documented 69 antisemitic incidents in the Orange County and Long Beach region during the year 2025.
In a letter dated June 22, 2026, the Jewish Community Action Network, the Israeli-American Council and the Jewish Federation of Orange County appealed to the club not to install Khan, citing several examples of the libels she had spread on social media, but to no avail.
Rotary clubs unite business professionals and community leaders around charitable work, ethical leadership and international cooperation. Members gather regularly to build connections, hear from guest speakers and organize service projects aimed at helping people in their communities and beyond.
The decision to install a purveyor of antisemitic libels could have a negative impact on the local Jewish community, and it goes completely against Rotary’s values.
In contrast, James Mai, vice mayor of Irvine, Calif., who served for two years as vice chair of the Rotary Club’s fundraising foundation, showed moral integrity by resigning from the Rotary Club over Khan’s appointment.
Please show the same integrity by immediately removing Khan from the presidency.
Sincerely,
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