Bronx Jewish community members weigh in on current state of hate crimes

The Anti-Defamation League offers anti-bias and anti-hate programs, but advocates in the Jewish community say these voluntary programs can only go so far.

Lindsay Tanney and News 12 Staff

May 30, 2024, 9:45 PM

Updated 187 days ago

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With a slew of recent antisemitic instances popping up across the five boroughs, some Jewish New Yorkers are weighing in to see what’s being done to combat this rise in hate.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, antisemitic incidents in the Bronx have increased by 113% from 2022 to 2023.
“These incidents are nonstop. We've had dozens of incidents reported to us just this week in New York and New Jersey,” said Scott Richman, regional director for the ADL. He says that it starts with microaggressions and stereotypes but “that moves up to more difficult speech, to discrimination and ultimately to violence.”
Richman says to combat this growing antisemitism, education is key.
The Anti-Defamation League offers anti-bias and anti-hate programs, but advocates in the Jewish community say these voluntary programs can only go so far.
“What would drive a antisemitic principal or staff member to bring in a Jewish organization to talk about antisemitism?” said Tova Plaut, founder of the New York City Public School Alliance.
Plaut and other advocates say the change needs to come from people in power setting the proper example.