Task Force to Combat Antisemitism meeting
April 22, 2026, 12:00 PM
The Task Force to Combat Antisemitism held an oversight hearing on antisemitic hate crimes and bias incidents in New York City, examining current trends and reporting mechanisms. No legislation was voted on.
What was discussed
- Opening Statements by Co-Chairs Vernikov and Dinowitz Co-Chair Vernikov opened the inaugural hearing of the Task Force to Combat Antisemitism, sharing personal experience as a Soviet-era emigrant. Co-Chair Dinowitz added context connecting his father's experience to the issue. Task Force members Hanks, Maloney, Felder, Epstein, and Brewer were
- Brooklyn DA Gonzalez and NYPD Deputy Commissioner Gerber on Hate Crime Prosecution and Enforcement Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez described how his office handles antisemitic hate crimes, noting that prosecuting bias crimes requires proving the bias element beyond reasonable doubt — a significant legal hurdle. NYPD Deputy Commissioner Gerber explained the process by which hate incidents are flagged
- How does the NYPD classify hate crimes, and is the definition of antisemitism consistently applied? Chairperson Vernikov pressed NYPD on how officers classify potential antisemitic incidents and whether the department uses any definition of antisemitism (such as the IHRA definition) in making these determinations. Assistant Chief Arias said classification follows New York State Penal Law on a
- What data is publicly available on antisemitic hate crimes, and how can reporting be improved? Co-Chair Dinowitz pushed both the NYPD and DA to improve transparency and disaggregate hate crime data by victim age. Gerber confirmed that 327 of 566 total 2025 hate crimes were anti-Jewish. Dinowitz called for NYPD to publish disaggregated data alongside arrest records and proposed a citywide
- What is the strategy of the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism, and how is it coordinating across agencies? Chairperson Dinowitz questioned Executive Director Wisdom about the newly formed Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism (six weeks old at the time of the hearing). Dinowitz pressed on its interagency coordination schedule, social media presence, youth outreach, and whether a listening tour was an
- Should the City fund physical security improvements for vulnerable Jewish institutions? Chairperson Vernikov asked Director Wisdom whether the Mayor's Office supported capital funding for security improvements at Jewish institutions, as recommended in the 2025 Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism report. Wisdom said the office was still in discussions about the Executive Budget and
- Civil Organizations and Legal Advocates on Combating Antisemitism The first public testimony panel included Ruth Lichtenstein (Project Witness, Holocaust Education Resource Center), Scott Richman (ADL), Brandon Pinsker, and Hillary Stuchin. They testified about Holocaust education gaps, the importance of the IHRA definition of antisemitism, and the need for
- Legal Advocates on Hate Crime Classification and Victim Support A panel including Gerard Filitti (Lawfare Project), Alan Scheiner (National Jewish Advocacy Center), Avrohom Malachowski, and Avi Posnick testified about legal strategies for hate crime prosecution, the challenges victims face navigating the system, and the importance of the IHRA definition for law
- Community Members Sharing Personal Experiences of Antisemitism in NYC Multiple community members testified about personal encounters with antisemitism, including Abraham Soussan, Zachary Winters, Dara Finns, Arlene Schlesinger, and Darina Prokopetz. Moshe Davis of the Mayor's Office to Combat Antisemitism also testified about the office's structure and role. Witnesses
Agenda
1 item
- T2026-1613 Oversight - Reporting on Antisemitic Hate Crimes and Bias Incidents in New York City. Hearing Held by Committee