One Final Act: Mayor Adams Drops Historic Antisemitism Report on Last Day

New York City Mayor Eric Adams concluded his term in office on Tuesday with a landmark release: the first annual report from the Mayor’s Office to Combat Antisemitism. Created in May 2025 as a direct response to the surge of hate following the October 7, 2023, attacks by the terrorists of Hamas, this office is the first of its kind in a major American city. The report provides a comprehensive overview of the policy framework and enforcement tools developed to protect the largest Jewish community outside of Israel during a year that saw antisemitic incidents account for the majority of hate crimes in the city.

The report, issued alongside Executive Director Moshe Davis, details a robust municipal response that includes the official adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. Under the Adams administration, the city established an interagency task force involving over 35 different agencies and enacted four specific executive orders. These orders focus on law enforcement coordination, protections for houses of worship, and prohibiting discriminatory procurement practices against Israel. Mayor Adams reflected on the necessity of these actions, stating, “After the attacks of October 7, 2023, I wasn’t afraid to say what so many New Yorkers were feeling: We were not alright. That was the truth and a call to action.”

First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro described the report as a necessary governmental response to a city where hate was allowed to rage unchecked for too long. The administration paired public condemnation with enforceable policy, such as directing the NYPD to review protest policies near synagogues and securing houses of worship. Executive Director Moshe Davis noted that while government cannot eradicate centuries old hatred, it can create a blueprint for other cities to follow. “This report is both a record of what we accomplished and a blueprint for what municipal government ought to do,” Davis remarked, emphasizing the importance of moral clarity in leadership.

As Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani prepares to be sworn in on New Year’s Day, the Jewish community has expressed deep gratitude for the outgoing administration's support. Rabbi Joseph Potasnik of the New York Board of Rabbis compared Adams’ leadership to a courageous voice in a time of silence, while Hindy Poupko of the UJA Federation of New York pointed to recent global violence as proof that these efforts must continue. Poupko highlighted that the recent terrorist attack at Bondi Beach serves as a reminder of the ongoing need for the training and security infrastructure established by this office. The report now stands as a roadmap for the future, ensuring that the fight against antisemitism remains a central priority for the city of New York.