NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — The Mamdani administration on Tuesday unveiled what it describes as New York City’s first municipal “Strategy to Combat Antisemitism” – a sweeping plan aimed at preventing antisemitic incidents, protecting Jewish New Yorkers and strengthening Jewish cultural life across the five boroughs.
City officials are calling the strategy a first-of-its-kind roadmap for how New York City will address antisemitism moving forward. The administration said the plan includes investments in prevention, security, education, survivor support and programs designed to celebrate and preserve Jewish life in the city.
The announcement comes as Jewish New Yorkers continue to face a disproportionate share of reported hate crimes in the city, according to the administration.
In a video released alongside the plan, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Jewish New Yorkers “should feel cherished and celebrated in the most Jewish city in America.” He added that city government has “a responsibility to sustain and protect our Jewish neighbors.”
The mayor said the benefits of the initiative would extend beyond the Jewish community.
“While these efforts are aimed at protecting our Jewish neighbors, they will benefit all New Yorkers,” he said.
According to the administration, the strategy is built around a whole-of-government approach and outlines a series of objectives focused on preventing hate violence, combating antisemitism in all its forms, expanding education about Jewish history and culture, supporting victims, protecting Jewish institutions and increasing engagement with Jewish communities throughout the city.
The plan includes $6.4 million for hate crime prevention and survivor support, $4.5 million for Jewish cultural institutions, like the Holocaust Memorial, $1 million for synagogue and Hebrew school security and expanded education on Jewish history and cultural contributions.
Mamdani’s initiative will also provide field trips for every eighth grader in the city’s public schools to the Museum of Jewish Heritage.
The mayor has struggled to find a balance between supporting and embracing Jewish New Yorkers, while being sharply critical of the Israeli government and its response to the October 7th massacre.
What the plan does not include is a specific definition of antisemitism. Scott Richman of the ADL says that’s a problem.
“I think the absence of a definition of antisemitism undercuts the report tremendously,” Richman said. “It’s very difficult to fight something where you can’t define what it is. But much more than that, I think the fact that it doesn’t include Israel-related antisemitism. This is not a comprehensive report.”
Council member Eric Dinowitz agrees.
“If you want to address antisemitism, you have to talk about how anti-Zionism expresses itself as antisemitism,” Dinowitz said. “Without addressing anti-Zionism, it’s not fully addressing the way we experience antisemitism here in New York City.”
But many Jewish organizations are applauding the plan and say the strategy is an important step forward.
City officials said the plan is intended to serve as a long-term framework for responding to antisemitism while promoting safety, awareness and understanding across New York City.
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