New York City recorded a 182% surge in antisemitic hate crimes in January, with 31 incidents targeting Jews, accounting for more than half of all hate crimes reported that month. Jewish leaders and residents say the spike has left the community “very much on edge,” citing swastikas on playgrounds, synagogue harassment, antisemitic chants, and violent attacks on Jewish institutions. The Anti-Defamation League called the increase “staggering.”
The rise follows the January 1 inauguration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose past statements and early actions have alarmed many Jewish New Yorkers. Mamdani has accused Israel of genocide, refused to condemn slogans like “globalize the intifada,” revoked the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, and allowed city employees to support the BDS movement. Critics argue these steps embolden extremist groups and reduce accountability. While Mamdani publicly says protecting Jewish New Yorkers is a priority, many Jewish leaders, professors, students, and synagogue members say they feel unsafe, distrust his leadership, and fear escalating harassment, boycotts, and normalization of antisemitism across the city.
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