MID-ATLANTIC EDITION

Headlines

NYC Hate Crimes Surge: Jewish Community Targets Over Half of All Incidents
Mayor Mamdani Accused of Antisemitism Amid "Genocide" Rhetoric Controversy
Pennsylvania Eyes IHRA Definition Bill Amid Rising Regional Incidents

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Transcript

You're listening to Antisemitism Watch: Mid-Atlantic edition, I'm Rachel Adler.

New York City is grappling with a significant surge in antisemitic hate crimes, which accounted for 53% of all confirmed hate crimes in the city during the first nine months of 2026, totaling 245 incidents, according to NYPD data. Reports from Rabbi Avrohom Hecht, executive director of the Jewish Community Council of Canarsie, detail incidents including Nazi swastikas and antisemitic graffiti in Canarsie, objects thrown at synagogues, and bomb scares at schools in Flatbush and Williamsburg. On Staten Island, police reporting confirmed a swastika was found on a desk in a New York City public school classroom. Scott Richman, New York and New Jersey regional director at the Anti-Defamation League, confirmed to JNS that the disproportionate number of anti-Jewish incidents continues to be a critical concern for the Jewish community, with individuals, including Holocaust survivors and the frail elderly, expressing fear. Rabbi Hecht noted that these incidents are not anti-Zionism but pure antisemitism, as they target visibly Jewish people regardless of their views on Israel. Mitchell Silber, CEO of the Community Security Initiative, acknowledged the NYPD's success in reducing major crimes but emphasized the need to address hate crimes to enhance the community's sense of safety.

In political discourse, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has become a focal point. Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman accused Mamdani of antisemitism and anti-Christian sentiment during a gubernatorial debate, prompting Mamdani to call Blakeman's campaign one trafficking in racism and bigotry, as reported by news12.com. This exchange follows Mamdani's October 7 statement accusing Israel of genocide. Reporting indicates this rhetoric, amplified through global propaganda narratives since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks, aligns with IHRA criteria concerning the denial of Jewish self-determination and demonization of Israel, according to JNS reporting. New York Times columnist Bret Stephens described Mamdani's remark as 'Zohran Mamdani’s Moral Obscenity,' and Jewishlink.news viewed the rhetoric as revealing hostility toward Israel. Both Rep. Ritchie Torres and Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz criticized Mamdani's statement. Israel's ambassador to the United Nations compared Mamdani's statement to turning September 11th into a day of mourning for al-Qaeda. Meanwhile, Republican Congressional candidate Michael LiPetri has also criticized Mayor Mamdani, accusing him of promoting antisemitism and seeking to defund police. In New Jersey, Democratic House candidate Rebecca Bennett campaigned alongside Linden Mayor Derek Armstead, who is facing an ongoing lawsuit alleging antisemitic discrimination. The lawsuit, as reported by NJ.com, cites Armstead making disparaging comments about the Orthodox Jewish population, referring to them as 'guys with big hats and curls,' and allegedly implementing zoning laws to prevent the community's growth.

On the policy front, Pennsylvania State Senator Judy Schwank plans to reintroduce legislation defining antisemitism using the IHRA working definition. She told JNS that Governor Josh Shapiro has pledged to sign the bill if it passes the legislature. Additionally, the Anti-Defamation League and Gratz College have launched a new development program titled 'From Recognition to Response: Antisemitism on Campus,' aiming to equip school professionals to identify and effectively combat Jew-hatred. The ADL recorded 1,694 antisemitic incidents on college campuses in 2024, according to their reporting. The New York City Council's 'Antisemitism Task Force' has also filed a formal complaint with Amazon demanding the removal of a Halloween decoration depicting a witch with a Star of David spell book. The task force wrote in a letter that the symbol, used in a context that may associate it with sinister imagery, is disturbing and could be perceived as demeaning or inciting violence against the Jewish community.

In Connecticut, authorities have issued warrants for the arrest of two teenagers in connection with multiple incidents of antisemitic and biased vandalism. The vandalism occurred overnight between September 19 and 20 in Wethersfield and Rocky Hill. Police identified eight vandalized sites in Wethersfield and four similar incidents in Rocky Hill. Wethersfield Police Chief Rafael Medina stated that such symbols 'do more than damage property. They create fear, undermine our residents’ sense of security and stand in direct opposition to the values of respect and inclusion that define Wethersfield.' Dante Roma, 18, is one of the named suspects, with a 17-year-old also facing charges.

Finally, community commemorations in Northern New Jersey marked the third anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attack on October 7th and 8th. Events at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades and Temple Emanu-El featured elected officials, focusing on remembrance, heroism, and Jewish pride, according to reports from the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey. The JCC of Middlesex County held 'A Day of Remembrance, Reflection and Unity,' drawing over 100 attendees, including Rep. Frank Pallone and Edison Mayor Sam Joshi. Speakers at these events emphasized holding media accountable for misinformation and the importance of education.

I'm Rachel Adler, thank you for listening to Antisemitism Watch: Mid-Atlantic edition.

For broader coverage of antisemitism across the United States and around the world, listen to Antisemitism Watch at clockwork media dot org slash A W.

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This report was generated with AI assistance and may contain inaccuracies. Please verify important details with primary sources.

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Sources:
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/two-teens-arrested-for-jew-hatred-vandalism-in-hartford-area
- buttondown.com: https://buttondown.com/antisemitismwatch/archive/antisemitism-watch-mid-atlantic-october-16-2026/
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/nypd-says-major-crimes-are-down-in-2026-but-jewish-new-yorkers-still-feel-unsafe
- wset.com: https://wset.com/news/nation-world/republican-mike-lipetri-targets-tom-suozzi-in-new-york-rematch-3rd-congressional-district-midterms-interview-financial-support-voter-id-transgender-athletes-tax-cuts?teaserSource=trending
- nrcc.org: https://www.nrcc.org/2026/10/16/wow-rebecca-bennett-proudly-campaigned-with-an-antisemite/
- bronx.news12.com: https://bronx.news12.com/mayor-mamdani-accuses-blakeman-of-bigotry-after-debate-antisemitism-attack
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/wire/the-focus-project/orchestrated-protests-mobilized-masses-and-scripted-chants-against-israel
- nypost.com: https://nypost.com/2026/10/16/us-news/nyc-pols-call-on-amazon-to-pull-219-halloween-witch-with-star-of-david-spell-book/

If you've witnessed or experienced an antisemitic incident, report it to your local Jewish Federation:

In a true emergency, call 911 first.

• Middlesex & Monmouth, NJ — Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey: Report an incident

• Greater MetroWest, NJ (Essex, Morris, Union, Somerset) — Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ: Report an incident

• Northern NJ (Bergen, Hudson, Passaic) — Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey: Report an incident

• Greater Philadelphia — Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia: Report an incident

• NYC, Long Island, Westchester & Rockland — UJA-Federation of New York: Responding to antisemitism