Mayor Mamdani Unveils New York City’s First Strategy to Combat Antisemitism

 

Historic strategy doubles hate crime prevention funding for community organizations, with $6.4 million to counter hate and support survivors  

 

$1 million investment will strengthen security at synagogues and other houses of worship 

 

Strategy includes major investments in Jewish historical and cultural institutions, expanded Holocaust education and a new City Human Rights Law awareness campaign   

 

Read the full strategy HERE

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism today released New York City’s first-ever municipal Strategy to Combat Antisemitism, a comprehensive, whole-of-government plan to confront antisemitism, protect Jewish New Yorkers and strengthen Jewish institutions, traditions and communities across New York City.  

  

At a time when Jewish New Yorkers face a disproportionate share of hate crimes in the city, the strategy makes historic investments in prevention, security, education, survivor support and Jewish cultural life. 

  

The strategy includes $6.4 million in Partners Against the Hate (P.A.T.H.) grants, doubling last year’s funding to community organizations such as the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) that focus on hate crime prevention and survivor support. It also includes $1 million to strengthen the physical security of synagogues and other houses of worship.   

  

The Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism will support implementation of Mayor Mamdani’s historic $26 million investment in the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. The Mamdani administration will also relaunch the once-disbanded interagency Security Infrastructure Working Group, providing technical and strategic support to Jewish houses of worship and cultural institutions seeking to strengthen their security.  

  

“Antisemitism has no place in New York City. Jewish New Yorkers have helped build this city, shaped its culture and strengthened our communities for generations, and they deserve to be safe, celebrated and protected by a city government that stands with them. Our administration’s Strategy to Combat Antisemitism makes historic investments in securing Jewish cultural institutions and synagogues, increasing educational opportunities for young New Yorkers and improving public awareness of Jewish history,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “Together, we will root out the scourge of rising antisemitism and build a city where Jewish New Yorkers are not only safe but celebrated.”  

  

“As a Jewish New Yorker who is deeply dedicated to the work of combating antisemitism and uplifting Jewish communities, I am honored to release the nation’s first municipal-level Strategy to Combat Antisemitism. Antisemitism is a complex and persistent form of hate, and it cannot be addressed through a single program or agency. This Strategy brings the full power of City government to the work of preventing hate, supporting survivors, protecting Jewish institutions, educating New Yorkers and celebrating Jewish life,” said Phylisa Wisdom, the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism. “We will continue listening to Jewish New Yorkers across the city and working alongside communities to make New York a place where everyone can live with dignity and without fear.”  

  

Investing in Jewish Life and Education 

The strategy recognizes that to truly combat antisemitism, we must ensure that Jewish history, culture and contributions to New York City are taught and celebrated.  

  

The administration will work with New York City Public Schools to address complaints of discrimination against any of our public school students, including Jewish students. The City will also expand opportunities for students to visit the Museum of Jewish Heritage, helping more young New Yorkers learn about Jewish history, the Holocaust and the stories of Jewish New Yorkers.  

  

The City is investing $2 million to complete the Queens Holocaust memorial and $2.5 million in the Center for New Jewish Culture in Central Brooklyn, strengthening institutions that preserve Jewish history. 

  

Making it Easier to Report Hate and Discrimination 

The administration will launch a campaign to increase awareness of the City Human Rights Law and make clear how New Yorkers can report suspected discrimination to the City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR). The campaign will appear on LinkNYC and in other public spaces across the five boroughs. 

  

A Whole-of-Government Approach 

The strategy is organized around seven strategic objectives that will guide the City’s work to combat antisemitism:  

  

•    Prevent hate violence: Encourage and direct sustained investment in programs that prevent hate violence before it occurs.  

•     Combat antisemitism in all its forms: Address physical, verbal and digital antisemitism across New York City through coordinated initiatives led by MOCA and agency partners.  

•   Educate New Yorkers: Invest in education about Jewish New Yorkers’ contributions to the city, the Holocaust, Jewish history and the lived experiences of Jewish New Yorkers.  

•    Support survivors: Ensure victims of antisemitic incidents and hate crimes can access resources, services and support.  

•    Protect and celebrate Jewish life: Preserve New York City as a special place to be Jewish, while working with community partners to strengthen and celebrate Jewish communities across the five boroughs.  

•   Listen to Jewish New Yorkers: Maintain regular, meaningful engagement with Jewish New Yorkers across the ideological spectrum so City government can better understand community needs and deliver services with dignity and respect.  

•    Celebrate Jewish culture and tradition: Use City policy, programming and public messaging to celebrate and cherish Jewish culture and traditions as an essential part of New York City’s identity.  

  

The strategy builds on the administration’s existing commitment to protecting Jewish New Yorkers. In September, Mayor Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced heightened security around synagogues, yeshivas and other Jewish institutions during the High Holy Days. The Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, continued by Executive Order No. 2 in January 2026, is charged with developing efforts to combat antisemitism and anti-Jewish hate crimes, supporting victims and celebrating Jewish culture and traditions. The office also coordinates with the City’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, the New York City Police Department (NYPD), City Commission on Human Rights (CCHR) and other agencies through an interagency task force.  

  

“Keeping New Yorkers safe means confronting hate in all its forms, while ensuring every community has the support, resources and partnership it needs to live without fear,” said Deputy Mayor for Community Safety Renita Francois. “This strategy puts that commitment into action — strengthening prevention efforts, supporting survivors, helping secure houses of worship, including synagogues, and coordinating City agencies around the shared responsibility to protect Jewish New Yorkers. Antisemitism is a threat to the safety and values of our entire city, and we will meet it with urgency, vigilance and sustained action.” 

  

“Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe living, learning, working and worshipping in our city — free from the fear and trauma of hate,” said Ayesha Delany-Brumsey, Ph.D., Commissioner of the Office of Community Safety. “This first-ever Strategy to Combat Antisemitism brings City agencies and community partners together to prevent violence, strengthen protections for Jewish institutions, support survivors and respond decisively when bias threatens our neighbors. The Office of Community Safety is proud to help lead this whole-of-government effort to ensure Jewish New Yorkers can live openly, fully and safely in every borough.” 

  

“New York City belongs to all New Yorkers, no matter their faith, heritage, or identity,” said Christine Clarke, Commissioner and Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights. “Anti-Jewish hate has no place here, and discrimination against Jewish New Yorkers in housing, employment, and public accommodations is illegal. The Commission will thoroughly investigate violations and enforce the NYC Human Rights Law. We look forward to working alongside the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism, faith leaders, and community partners to make New York City a safer, more welcoming city for all.” 

  

“For generations, Jewish New Yorkers have built thriving and diverse communities that have helped to define the city we all love. Stopping the disturbing rise in antisemitism cannot be the work of Jewish communities alone, nor can it be left to just one elected official or government agency,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “Combating antisemitism requires a whole-of-government approach to ensure Jewish New Yorkers are protected and able to proudly and safely practice their religion. I commend Mayor Mamdani for bringing together new investments in public safety, education, community engagement, and civil rights enforcement for this comprehensive plan to fight antisemitism and ensure New York City remains open and welcoming to the Jewish people.” 

  

“Safety is the right of every New Yorker, including every Jewish adult and child, allowing them to bring their full selves to daily life, including our civic sphere, public spaces, houses of worship and beyond. In contrast, prejudice is an insidious force, amplifying deep ugliness in the human psyche into corrosive speech and violence. Antisemitism — prejudice against Jewish people and communities — is ahistorical, intellectually lazy and morally indefensible,” said Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams. “I would not want to be part of a city government or a society where antisemitism was tolerated and allowed to spread unchallenged. Today's release proves that this is not the case. I commend the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism on developing a plan that speaks powerfully, pledges action and commits resources to see the work through. I look forward to hearing Jewish New Yorkers' reaction to the plan and monitoring its implementation in my role as Public Advocate.”