Menin Unveils Five-Point Plan to Combat Antisemitism in NYC

New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin on Friday announced a comprehensive five-point legislative and funding action plan aimed at combating antisemitism, strengthening community safety, and expanding Holocaust education across the city.

The announcement was made at the Museum of Jewish Heritage – A Living Memorial to the Holocaust, alongside City Council members, faith leaders, and community advocates. The Council-led package focuses on education, security for schools and houses of worship, data collection, and accountability, while upholding constitutional rights.

“At a moment of rising antisemitism, the City Council is taking decisive, responsible action to invest in education, strengthen protections for schools and houses of worship, support community safety, and ensure we have the tools to confront antisemitism wherever it appears,” Menin said. “As the first Jewish Speaker of the City Council, and as the daughter and granddaughter of Holocaust survivors, this issue is deeply personal to me.”

The move comes amid growing concerns over antisemitic incidents in New York City. According to the NYPD, antisemitic incidents accounted for 57 per cent of reported hate crimes in 2025, despite Jewish residents making up about 10 per cent of the city’s population.

Under the plan, the Council will commit $1.25 million over two years to the Museum of Jewish Heritage to expand Holocaust education, including the development of a virtual learning experience and broader school outreach. New legislation will also require the Department of Education to distribute materials addressing how social media can contribute to antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of hate.

Other elements of the plan include legislation to establish safe perimeters around houses of worship, a needs-based reimbursement programme to help private schools install security cameras, community-based security training for faith institutions, and the creation of a dedicated antisemitism reporting hotline within the NYC Commission on Human Rights.

“Education is our most powerful tool in confronting antisemitism, and Speaker Menin has consistently understood that truth,” said Jack Kliger, President and CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage. “This historic investment will allow us to reach more students and expand innovative learning experiences.”

Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the Jewish Caucus, said the plan goes beyond rhetoric. “As Jewish New Yorkers face growing threats of antisemitism, words of encouragement are not enough,” he said. “Our laws, budget, and initiatives must directly confront the ever-growing threat.”

Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams described the measures as essential to restoring public confidence. “It’s more important than ever for New York City to take proactive steps to ensure that everyone can live, worship, and gather without fear,” she said.

The initiative builds on Menin’s earlier efforts to expand Holocaust education, including a 2024 public-private partnership that enabled all eighth-grade public and charter school students in the city to visit the Museum of Jewish Heritage.