Antisemitism: Unmasked

PRESS RELEASE

October 23, 2026

For immediate release

HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL & TOLERANCE CENTER AWARDED $150,000 FEDERAL GRANT TO LAUNCH GROUNDBREAKING GALLERY OF MODERN DAY ANTISEMITISM

A first-of-its-kind, ever-evolving exhibition exposing the many faces of modern-day antisemitism, particularly in the wake of October 7 - tracing its resurgence, evolving manifestations, warning signs, and dangers as they unfold.

GLEN COVE, NY: The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) has been awarded a $150,000 matching federal grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) to design and install a groundbreaking permanent gallery confronting present-day antisemitism - ANTISEMITISM: UNMASKED. The award will support approximately 49 percent of the project, and the remaining project funding will be secured through private philanthropic support.

HMTC welcomes corporate sponsors, private donors, and philanthropic foundations and community partners interested in helping bring this nationally significant initiative to life.

For more than three decades, HMTC has used the history of the Holocaust to teach the dangers of unchecked hatred. This new initiative recognizes that the mission of “never again” requires a deeper understanding of the present, not only the past. In this powerful new model, the new gallery will confront antisemitism in its current manifestations, tracing its spread through social media algorithms and mainstream news, and emboldening visitors to understand and combat the landscape of hatred. The gallery is designed to arm visitors with facts and context that are frequently missing from the information streams they encounter every day, so they can recognize distortion and misinformation on sight.

The exhibit will be comprised of several thematic categories - spanning Then & Now; Jewish Identity & Self-Determination; Media Literacy & Extremism; Jewish Pride & Contribution; Antisemitism as a Threat to Democracy; and Hope & Bridge Building (using the IHRA definition and examples as a base). The gallery will be designed with leaders in the field, including Dr. Michael Berenbaum, internationally recognized Holocaust scholar, former Project Director of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and former Director of the Museum's Holocaust Research Institute.

PARTNERSHIP

"This federal recognition is a powerful affirmation of HMTC's responsibility to lead at a moment when antisemitism is once again demanding the attention of our nation. This initiative is not simply another exhibition - it is an investment in understanding and confronting antisemitism as it exists today, using facts that too often don't reach the public through the channels shaping their views. As we move forward, we will be thoughtful about the partners who join us. We look forward to considering philanthropic leaders who share our commitment to confronting anti-Jewish hatred and to protecting the principles of religious freedom, equal citizenship, pluralism and democratic values." - Alan Mindel, HMTC Chair

A RESPONSE TO AN URGENT, NATIONAL RISE

"Since October 7th, antisemitism has escalated sharply nationwide - fueled by global unrest, polarization, and the rapid spread of misinformation, especially on social media. This is not a

regional concern; it's a national one. The new gallery will meet that reality head-on, showing visitors how this misinformation spreads online, and how to challenge it." - HMTC Young Leadership Member / Assemblymember Jake Blumencranz

Modern-day antisemitism has adapted to new technologies, new languages and new environments. HMTC has continued to be at the forefront of bringing together leaders of all backgrounds to combat this hate through education and advocacy.

“As leaders in the field of education and advocacy against modern-day antisemitism, we noticed that while programs exist across the country to teach contemporary antisemitism, the antisemitism we've seen since October 7th is a different phenomenon entirely. True modern-day antisemitism which is normalized in educational resources, online and print

media, workplaces, and everyday conversation, is often left unaddressed for fear of criticism. That silence is exactly what allows the normalization of Jew-hate to take hold and grow. This initiative gives us the opportunity to name it, help people recognize it, challenge misinformation, and understand why confronting hatred is essential to a healthy democracy.” - Bali Lerner, HMTC Executive Director

REACHING CLASSROOMS, CADETS, AND COMMUNITIES

HMTC educates over 35,000 people annually, including Nassau and Suffolk County students from elementary through high school; all Nassau and Suffolk County police cadets; nursing students; corporate professionals and an array of community organizations and members. Grant-funded programming will include new antisemitism curricula aligned with New York State Learning Standards, expanded professional development for teachers and community leaders, public panel discussions, and interfaith dialogue programs exploring shared strategies for confronting modern-day hate.

A NATIONAL MODEL

“Good museum exhibitions don’t change often, they evolve naturally. Yet audiences visiting Museums do change, often dramatically.

Holocaust museums must confront contemporary antisemitism because visitors demand it. They require it. That is what makes this initiative so important, so urgent. The issues may be new but the tools with which to confront these issues in a Museum are not: exhibitions and education. I salute HMTC of Nassau County on this initiative and am honored to be part of it.”

- Dr. Michael Berenbaum, internationally recognized Holocaust and antisemitism scholar

ABOUT HMTC

The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County uses the history of the Holocaust to teach the dangers of antisemitism, hatred, prejudice and indifference, and to inspire visitors to become "Upstanders" who speak out against injustice. For more information, visit www.hmtcli.org

This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (MA-260323-OMS-26).

ABOUT IMLS 

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and museums. We advance, support, and empower America's museums, libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research, and policy development. IMLS envisions a nation where individuals and communities have access to museums and libraries to learn from and be inspired by the trusted information, ideas, and stories they contain about our diverse natural and cultural heritage. To learn more, visit www.imls.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.