Mayor Adams Announces New Office to Fight Antisemitism

At a community meeting today with leaders of the Jewish community and members of the press, Mayor Eric Adams announced the creation of a new Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism. This will be the first office of its kind in any major U.S. city.

The new office will focus on fighting antisemitism through legal action, education, and support for the community. Last year, more than half of the city’s hate crimes were committed against Jews, despite Jews making up a much smaller portion of the city’s population.

Mayor Adams appointed Moshe Davis, Senior Jewish Liaison in New York City's Mayor's Office of Community Affairs, to lead the new office. Davis will work closely with city agencies and a group of Jewish leaders to guide the city’s efforts. As its first action, Executive Director Davis will form a commission of Jewish leaders from across New York City to oversee and advise on the office’s work.

“Since day one, our administration made a commitment to all New Yorkers to keep them safe and protect against hate in all forms. As we continue to see the rising tide of antisemitism here at home, and across the country, this moment calls for decisive action,” said Mayor Adams. “The Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism will be the first of its kind in a major city across the nation, and will tackle antisemitism in all of its forms, working across city agencies to ensure Jewish New Yorkers are protected and can thrive here in the five boroughs. Antisemitism is an attack not only on Jewish New Yorkers, but on the very idea of New York City as a place where people from all backgrounds can live together. Moshe Davis is a tireless advocate on behalf of Jewish New Yorkers, and he is exactly the right person to lead and build this office. I’m grateful to Moshe for stepping up to lead on this important issue.”

"Combating antisemitism requires a sledgehammer approach: coordinated, unapologetic, and immediate.” said Executive Director Moshe Davis. "Mayor Adams has been a modern-day Maccabee, standing up for the Jewish community, and, with the establishment of this office, he is strengthening his resolve to ensure Jewish New Yorkers thrive in our city. I look forward to working closely with Mayor Eric Adams and First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro to continue our forceful response against anti-Jewish hate and discrimination."

The announcement was welcomed by many, with community leaders calling it an important and much-needed step to protect Jewish New Yorkers.

photos by: Zevi Klein/BoroPark24