WATCH: NYPD's Jessica Tisch Quietly Affixes Mezuzah in Historic Move at Headquarters
NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch placed a mezuzah on her office door at headquarters on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, turning a private Jewish ritual into a powerful public symbol of enduring faith right in the center of law enforcement.
In a meaningful and understated ceremony held on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch affixed a mezuzah to the doorframe of her office at NYPD headquarters, located at One Police Plaza. This act marked a rare and visible expression of Jewish identity by the city's highest-ranking law enforcement official, witnessed by a small gathering of Jewish uniformed officers and civilian NYPD personnel.
Tisch, who became the 48th police commissioner in November 2024 and the first Jewish woman to hold the position, recited the traditional blessing before carefully placing the mezuzah. She described the moment as a small but meaningful symbol of faith and resilience. In her own words shared publicly, she said she was proud to hang a mezuzah on the frame of her office door at NYPD headquarters, calling it a small but meaningful symbol of faith and resilience. She framed the gesture as a public reminder that Jewish life endures, proudly and without apology.
The mezuzah itself carries added personal significance. It was purchased in Israel and presented to Tisch by her mother, highlighting themes of Jewish continuity and family heritage carried directly into the demanding world of public service. By choosing to perform this ritual on International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Tisch connected the act to broader themes of remembrance, survival, and strength in the face of historical adversity.
As a member of the prominent Tisch family, with roots in both business and Jewish communal life, Jessica Tisch has long balanced her heritage with her career in public administration. She began her service with the NYPD in 2008 as an intelligence research specialist and rose through various leadership roles before her appointment as commissioner. Holding degrees from Harvard University, including a Bachelor of Arts in Government, a Juris Doctorate, and an MBA, she brings a wealth of experience to the position while overseeing one of the nation's largest police departments during a period of complex challenges.
This ceremony stands out as an uncommon public acknowledgment of Jewish practice within such a high-profile institutional setting. It serves as a quiet yet firm statement of identity at a time when visible expressions of Jewish pride carry particular weight. Attendees included fellow Jewish members of the department, making the event an intimate gathering that underscored community and shared values within the ranks.
Through this simple yet profound act, Commissioner Tisch has blended personal tradition with her role as a leader sworn to protect all New Yorkers, reinforcing that faith and duty can coexist openly in public life. The mezuzah now stands at the entrance to her office, a daily reminder of resilience etched into the very heart of NYPD headquarters.