NYPD officers outside a Brooklyn synagogue. Image by Getty Images

Dear Editor,

In her recent op-ed, Avital Chizhik-Goldschmidt was right to express outrage over the escalation of anti-Semitism directed at Orthodox Jews. The examples of prejudice and discrimination she cites should disturb all New Yorkers who care about religious freedom and pluralistic democracy. The spate of anti-Jewish hate crimes over the past two years is extremely disturbing and warrants immediate action.

That is precisely why, earlier this year, the City Council passed, and Mayor de Blasio signed into law legislation establishing the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC). In June, the Mayor called for the office to open before the end of summer, months ahead of schedule, and at the end of August I was honored to take over as Executive Director.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis of the crisis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

There is no short-term fix to ending the longest hatred. As someone who has devoted three decades of my professional career to fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of hatred, I know that it requires a multi-pronged approach that focuses on education, law enforcement, and community relations.

In my conversations with Mayor de Blasio, he has expressed his deep belief in and understanding of this approach. That’s why the OPHC has formed an interagency committee that includes the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, NYPD, City Commission on Human Rights, Department of Education, Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and others, to coordinate efforts and create opportunities for creative, holistic, long-term ways to address bias-motivated violence in every affected community. Importantly, we will work with community-based organizations to elevate best practices and explore new, proactive ways to combat hate.

Diversity and inclusiveness are foremost among NYC’s greatest strengths and defining values. The Orthodox Jewish community has always been a beautiful, integral part of the fabric of our city. That Jews now feel threatened is simply unacceptable. We must work together to break down stereotypes and to promote respect for differences. We must — we will — double down to stop this wave of hate and restore civility and safety.

We are paying attention.

Sincerely,

Deborah Lauter

Deborah Lauter is the executive director of New York City’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes

A message from our CEO & publisher Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse..

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Join our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount