Listen to this articleTo fight an “alarming rise of antisemitism throughout the nation” on a local level, elected officials and spiritual leaders in the Town of Hempstead say they have formed a new task force. The Antisemitism Task Force aims to identify emerging trends and proactively fight hate and promote tolerance across society through education, multicultural intitiatives and community outreach.
The town is considered the second largest Jewish population in the nation, officials say, second to New York City. Joining officials at the announcement of the task force, in front of West Hempstead-based Hebrew Academy of Nassau County Samuel and Elizabeth Bass Golding Elementary School, were representatives from the Combat Antisemitism Movement, the American Jewish Committee, StandWithUs, the Jewish Community Relations Council and other global advocates.
“The Town of Hempstead has a zero-tolerance policy against hate and intolerance of all kinds,” Town of Hempstead Supervisor Don Clavin said in a news release about the new task force.
“We are quick to publicly denounce any and all acts of intolerance within our township, however there is a growing trend of antisemitism ramping up through the nation,” he added. “It is our responsibility to be proactive against this disturbing trend and the creation of an Antisemitism Task Force is the first step towards making this defense a reality.”
The task force’s formation comes on the heels of escalating antisemitic incidents which, according to the Anti-Defamation League, in 2023 increased by a previously unsurpassed 140%. Campus antisemitic incidents have tripled, and bomb threats targeting Jewish institutions have gone up tenfold.
Locally, a residential area of East Meadow was marked with antisemitic graffiti, and a town official was sent antisemitic mail. Most recently, a Canadian man was arrested for allegedly planning a mass shooting at a Jewish center in New York City. And a sign supporting Israel at a Roslyn synagogue was defaced. In addition, a man was captured on a Ring doorbell conducting an antisemitic rant at a Jewish resident in Plainview. Meanwhile, one of the American hostages still held in Gaza is Omer Neutra, from Plainview.
Now, with the anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks on the State of Israel approaching, officials say the need for a dedicated task force is “apparent.”
The Antisemitism Task Force is deploying multiple approaches to combat hatred, officials said.
Among those methods are education and community outreach, which will include various methods such as partnering with local educational institutions to host historical programs, implementing Holocaust education programs.
Other steps include working with local villages within Hempstead Town to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, to enhance the town’s ability to educate the community and take action against acts of antisemitism.
In addition, the task force aims to support interfaith and multicultural initiatives to promote tolerance, and boost security for Jewish community centers by working with local law enforcement.
“I commend the Town of Hempstead for the proactive leadership it demonstrated in forming this task force against antisemitism,” Lisa Katz, founder and president of Combat Antisemitism, said in the news release. “By doing so, it set a powerful example for how local governments can make a tangible impact in safeguarding and nurturing Jewish life in their communities, as well as promoting mutual tolerance and respect across society.”
The town pointed to its support over the years of its growing Jewish population. Officials say the town was the first municipality in the region to adopt legislation against the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement. Additionally, the town had adopted the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.
“As the holy days of the Jewish faith approach, I am proud that the Town of Hempstead is a home where residents from all walks of life can practice religion freely and without concern,” Clavin said. “I remain committed to combating hatred and intolerance in all forms, and I thank the spiritual leaders and global activists who have joined me today for this important announcement.”
