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The Town of Hempstead (New York) announced on Thursday the establishment of a municipal task force to counter rising antisemitism, a move welcomed by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM).
The Antisemitism Task Force is to consist of a group of local community and spiritual leaders who will “proactively combat hate and intolerance in the Town of Hempstead through multiple different approaches,” a statement published by the town said.
“Education and community outreach will include various methods such as partnering with local educational institutions to host historical programs, implementing Holocaust education programs, working with local villages within Hempstead Town to adopt the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, supporting interfaith and multicultural initiatives to promote tolerance, and enhancing security for Jewish community centers by working with local law enforcement, to name a few,” it further noted.
Town Supervisor Don Clavin commented, “The Town of Hempstead has a zero-tolerance policy against hate and intolerance of all kinds. 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. 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.”
“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,” he added. “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.”
CAM was represented at Thursday’s press conference in Hempstead by Chief Government Affairs Officer Lisa Katz, the former New Castle town supervisor who now leads CAM’s daily work with mayors to secure and nurture Jewish life in cities throughout the United States and beyond.
“I commend the Town of Hempstead for the proactive leadership it demonstrated in forming this task force against antisemitism,” Katz said. “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.”
Hempstead is the largest township in the United States and home to the second-largest Jewish community in the nation, behind only nearby New York City. It unfortunately has not been immune to the global surge of antisemitism triggered the October 7th massacre in Israel, with recent incidents in Hempstead including antisemitic graffiti in a residential area of East Meadow and antisemitic mail sent to a municipal official.
In January 2021, the Town of Hempstead adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, making it among the more than 1,200 entities globally to have done so. Later that same year, it also adopted legislation against the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement.
The CAM-organized 2024 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism will be held in Beverly Hills, California, on Dec. 11-13.
