MID-ATLANTIC EDITION

Headlines

Manhattan Jewish man stabbed, attack investigated as possible hate crime
Philly schools accused of antisemitism in curriculum report
Bronx officials criticize anti-Zionist protests targeting Jewish event

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Transcript

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

We begin with a physical assault investigated as a possible hate crime in Midtown Manhattan. An Orthodox Jewish man was stabbed on Wednesday evening in the Diamond District. According to JTA, police are investigating the attack as a possible antisemitic hate crime, with the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force involved. Sources like ABC7NY and VINnews report the 26-year-old victim told investigators he believed he was stabbed with a needle or syringe in his lower back. Manhattan Shomrim is assisting the NYPD in searching for the suspect, described as a white woman in her 30s or 40s, as noted by jpost.com and abc7ny.com. This incident comes as Jewish New Yorkers have been the target of more than half of the city's hate crimes this year, JTA reports.

Turning to education, a report released this week by the House Committee on Education and Workforce accuses the School District of Philadelphia of fostering antisemitism. As detailed by reports from jewishexponent.com, hoodline.com, and others, the committee claims the district's teachers and curricula justify violent resistance, legitimize radical groups inciting antisemitism, and train students as far-left activists. District officials, however, are pushing back, calling the findings a distorted and partisan take, according to phillyvoice.com and nbcphiladelphia.com. Despite the pushback, chalkbeat.org reports the district plans to overhaul its social studies curriculum in partnership with national experts, with new materials expected for the 2027-28 school year. Meanwhile, ua.news indicates the district's social studies curriculum director is undergoing a termination proceeding.

In the Bronx, officials are publicly criticizing planned protests by anti-Zionist groups in Riverdale, according to JTA and clevelandjewishnews.com. The anti-Israel organization Pal-Awda, which has chanted support for Hamas, is targeting a Jewish aliyah-related event in Riverdale, according to kevindeutsch.substack.com, building on previous actions by the group against a Jewish gathering in Queens.

On the political front, politico.com reports that a New York City high school is facing backlash due to an 'intifada' post, with protests being held concerning Mayor Zohran Mamdani over Israel.

Turning to institutional responses, foxbusiness.com reported that Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan was honored on October 21st at an inaugural New York City benefit that raised over $32 million to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate, setting a record for the organization. Responding to rising antisemitism, the Jewish Federations of North America announced a $35 million 'Frontline' initiative to hire 100 professionals for advocacy, jpost.com stated. This program aims to bolster local and state advocacy, K-12 and higher education efforts, and interfaith partnerships.

Finally, in South Brooklyn, JTA notes that two Jewish candidates are competing in a State Assembly race.

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:
- JTA: https://www.jta.org/2026/10/22/ny/orthodox-jewish-man-stabbed-in-midtown-manhattan
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-912552
- jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com: https://jewishchronicle.timesofisrael.com/nypd-probing-stabbing-of-jewish-man-in-diamond-district-as-hate-crime/
- abc7ny.com: https://abc7ny.com/post/suspected-needle-attack-jewish-man-investigated-possible-hate-crime/19969010/
- 5townscentral.com: https://5townscentral.com/2026/10/22/frum-man-stabbed-in-midtown-manhattan-in-suspected-hate-crime/
- abc7ny.com: https://abc7ny.com/amp/post/suspected-needle-attack-jewish-man-investigated-possible-hate-crime/19969010/
- vinnews.com: https://vinnews.com/2026/10/22/orthodox-jewish-man-targeted-in-suspected-syringe-stabbing-on-midtown-street-in-possible-hate-crime/
- audacy.com: https://www.audacy.com/kywnewsradio/news/local/congressional-report-philly-school-district-antisemitism
- phillyvoice.com: https://www.phillyvoice.com/philadelphia-school-district-antisemitism-report-house-committee-gop/
- chalkbeat.org: https://www.chalkbeat.org/philadelphia/2026/10/22/district-revamps-social-studies-curriculum-amid-congress-antisemitism-probe/
- hoodline.com: https://hoodline.com/2026/10/house-gop-report-accuses-philly-schools-of-teaching-kids-to-hate-israel/
- nbcphiladelphia.com: https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/philadelphia-school-district-denies-congressional-committees-antisemitism-allegations/4483421/
- jewishexponent.com: http://www.jewishexponent.com/philadelphia-schools-under-scrutiny-in-congressional-antisemitism-report/
- politico.com: https://www.politico.com/newsletters/new-york-playbook-pm/2026/10/21/nyc-high-school-faces-backlash-over-intifada-post-01130770
- JTA: https://www.jta.org/2026/10/22/ny/bronx-officials-blast-anti-zionist-groups-planned-protest-in-riverdale
- clevelandjewishnews.com: https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/jta/bronx-officials-blast-anti-zionist-groups-planned-protest-in-riverdale/article_fd1633d6-9ec2-5413-ae5d-6f354c6d1d8e.html
- kevindeutsch.substack.com: https://kevindeutsch.substack.com/p/pro-hamas-group-targets-riverdale
- foxbusiness.com: https://www.foxbusiness.com/business-leaders/bank-america-ceo-honored-32m-fundraising-event-against-antisemitism
- jpost.com: https://www.jpost.com/diaspora/antisemitism/article-912610
- ua.news: https://ua.news/en/world/komitet-palati-predstavnikiv-ssha-opriliudniv-zvit-pro-antisemitizm-u-shkolakh-jerusalem-post

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