MID-ATLANTIC EDITION

Headlines

NYC Mayor Mamdani faces protests, criticism over Oct. 7 statement.
Teenagers charged for antisemitic graffiti at PA playground.
NJ Congressman Gottheimer introduces bills combating antisemitism.

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Transcript

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

In Glenside, Pennsylvania, a strong community response followed the discovery of racist and antisemitic graffiti at Weldon Playground. Abington police quickly identified and charged three teenage boys in connection with the incident. According to 6abc.com and nbcphiladelphia.com, the boys face charges including criminal mischief, with two also charged with ethnic intimidation. The discovery prompted an immediate gathering where residents and officials denounced hate. Pennsylvania first lady Lori Shapiro stated, "This is what we're about. People of all different backgrounds and beliefs coming together to support one another and show that hate has no place," as reported by 6abc.com. Abington Police Chief Patrick Molloy noted that "These acts don't just target individuals and groups; they tear at the very fabric of our public safety and sense of security," according to 6abc.com. Leaders emphasized unity, with Michele Cooper, chair of the Abington Township Human Relations Commission, saying, "For the people who wrote these things, be clear, you have not dented our armor; you have polished our steel."

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani found himself at the center of controversy during an October 7 candlelight vigil in Union Square. According to the New York Post, protesters, some waving Hamas and Hezbollah flags, heckled Mamdani, chanting accusations of genocide and accusing him of betraying Palestinian causes. The New York Post reported that Mamdani's statement marking the anniversary focused less on the Hamas terrorist attacks and more on Israeli actions in Gaza, citing Hamas statistics for Palestinian casualties and describing them as "war crimes" and an "ongoing genocide." This drew sharp criticism from ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, who stated on X, "Not once do you say 'Jews.'" Greenblatt accused Mamdani of "weaponizing the memory of the victims to push his own agenda and undermine the Jewish community," as reported by the New York Post. Jewish advocates also criticized Mamdani's "slanted statement."

Across the region, elected officials are addressing the rise in antisemitism. New Jersey Congressman Josh Gottheimer highlighted this trend, linking it to the third anniversary of the October 7 attacks. As reported by jns.org, Gottheimer announced two bipartisan bills: one aimed at holding up U.S. aid to the United Nations until it designates Hamas and Hezbollah as terrorist organizations, and another commemorating the October 7 attacks, honoring hostages, and supporting Israel's right to defend itself. Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers Rep. Mike Lawler and Rep. Tom Kean Jr. are leveraging the October 7 anniversary to criticize Democratic rivals, accusing them of antisemitism and insufficient support for Israel. The New York Daily News reported that Lawler called Mayor Mamdani a "rabid antisemite" following Mamdani's October 7 statement.

In New Jersey, the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey has released a new resource for families. According to the Jewish Standard, they've produced a handbook titled "Addressing Antisemitism K-12 Schools: A Toolkit for Families." A commentary in the Baltimore Sun offered a critique of the Democratic Party's approach to antisemitism, describing it as "politically calculating" and too cautious, especially in light of a 140% increase in antisemitic incidents reported by the ADL in 2023.

Finally, a report from jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com indicates a Haverford professor is accused of threatening and stalking a Jewish person online.

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:
- 6abc.com: https://6abc.com/post/3-juveniles-charged-antisemitic-racist-graffiti-found-glenside-playground/19922894/
- nbcphiladelphia.com: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/3-teenagers-arrested-for-racist-anti-semitic-vandalism-at-abington-park/4476452/
- northjersey.com: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/ridgewood/2026/10/08/car-crashes-ridgewood-nj-nail-salon-picture-window/92156099007/
- jewishlink.news: https://jewishlink.news/2026-teaneck-board-of-education-candidate-bcjac-fact-sheet/
- northjersey.com: https://www.northjersey.com/videos/news/passaic/paterson/2026/10/08/hispanic-heritage-celebrated-passaic-county-community-college-nj/92157394007/
- tapinto.net: https://www.tapinto.net/towns/montclair/sections/education/articles/the-story-they-re-not-telling-how-the-media-has-excised-the-words-and-ideology-of-islamist-terror-from-its-reporting-5836d17e-b51a-4273-99e8-380607b951a2
- brooklyneagle.com: https://brooklyneagle.com/421776/mamdanis-oct-7-commemoration-outrages-supporters-and-critics-of-israel/
- northjersey.com: https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/religion/2026/10/08/josh-gottheimer-anti-hate-efforts-israel-attacks-anniversary/92134170007/
- njherald.com: https://www.njherald.com/story/shopping/entertainment/celebrity/2026/10/08/buy-kai-trump-everyday-makeup-essentials/92151818007/
- njherald.com: https://www.njherald.com/story/sports/high-school/football/2026/10/08/sussex-tech-football-divisional-finalist-tmobile-friday-night-lights-contest/92136141007/
- nydailynews.com: https://www.nydailynews.com/2026/10/08/lawler-kean-october-7-democrats-israel/
- jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com: https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/haverford-professor-accused-of-threatening-stalking-jewish-person-online/
- nypost.com: https://nypost.com/2026/10/07/us-news/mamdani-booed-berated-by-anti-israel-protesters-at-nyc-oct-7-memorial/
- jns.org: https://www.jns.org/news/u-s-news/at-edan-alexander-way-gottheimer-announces-bills-marking-oct-7-withholding-us-aid-until-un-designates-hamas-hezbollah
- jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com: https://jewishstandard.timesofisrael.com/youve-got-to-be-taught-to-hate/
- baltimoresun.com: https://www.baltimoresun.com/2026/10/08/chris-roemer-democrat-antisemitism/
- jewishlink.news: https://jewishlink.news/stop-outsourcing-jewish-safety/

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