The October 7, 2023 massacre by the terrorist group Hamas has led to a dramatic rise and resurgence of antisemitism in New York and throughout the United States. Supporters of Israel and young Jews are being bullied, intimidated, and physically assaulted. Since October 7, there have been hundreds of antisemitic incidents reported by campus Hillels. Social media and student message boards are replete with antisemitic statements, memes, and images and misinformation. Additionally, teachers in the K-12 school systems are ill-equipped to handle this crisis.
In response, we identified three areas of Emergency Funding in which we believe the Foundation can have real impact on combatting the pervasive antisemitism rampant in New York: (1) Support of Hillels on CUNY and SUNY college campuses; (2) Support of efforts to address antisemitism through social media; and (3) Professional development for K-12 teachers.
Our support for CUNY and SUNY Hillels focuses on addressing the physical safety and mental wellbeing of the Youth they serve (CUNY has the largest number of Jewish undergraduates of any university system in the United States – approximately 13,500 undergraduates whom are primarily first-generation college students and/or first generation Americans). Our targeted support – to the following New York Hillels: Hillel at Baruch College, Tanger Hillel at Brooklyn College, Hunter Hillel, Stony Brook Hillel, Queens Hillel, and Hillel of Staten Island – aims to maintain the safety, mental health, and community needs of students necessary for them to persist and graduate from college. We have also provided funding to Hillel International – in support of its Campus Climate Initiative, a critical program supporting university and college administrators to build awareness, allyship, and action around antisemitism, as part of a broader effort to address hate and bias on campus. Amongst the group are the following CUNYs: Baruch, John Jay, College of Staten Island, City College, and Brooklyn College.
Antisemitism on social media outlets is particularly pervasive and influential for the attitudes of Youth. We supported an effort initiated by leaders in the technology and digital media industry to produce high-value, engaging, and apolitical original content, aimed at helping the youth and young adult population understand the threats posed by Hamas and antisemitism. The goal of the content is to reduce antisemitic sentiment, fostering greater understanding and tolerance in youth and young adult communities without “picking a fight” and to achieve an increase in positive media representation and coverage of Jewish and Israel perspectives in the mainstream media, indicating a shift in the narrative and a more balanced portrayal. We further supported an organization that has a community of creators and influencers who disseminate educational and entertaining content with real, historical facts about Israel, Zionism and Jewish culture and history. This digital media organization helps creators grow their channels and track their impact.
The rise of antisemitism has also been rampant in NYC K-12 schools. New York teachers have been attacked for standing up against antisemitism. Further, teachers do not have the tools or resources they need to adequately discuss the incidents with their students. We funded professional development opportunities for New York-based teachers on addressing antisemitism in their classrooms and schools through grants to Facing History & Ourselves and Institute for Curriculum Services.