PRESS RELEASES

14 October, 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) expresses profound relief and bittersweet joy as we celebrate the release of hostages who endured unimaginable suffering and inhumane captivity since the horrific atrocities of October 7, 2023, perpetrated by Hamas and other Islamic extremists.

We extend our deepest gratitude to President Donald J. Trump for his steadfast commitment and leadership in helping achieve this long-awaited milestone. His efforts have brought comfort, solace, and renewed hope to countless families and communities across the globe.

“Our hearts are filled with profound relief and gratitude as we welcome home the hostages reunited with their families,” said HMTC Chairman Alan Mindel. “We share in their joy and pray for their continued strength on the long road of healing ahead. We remain steadfast in our resolve - until every hostage and every body is returned, we will not be whole.”

This moment also stands as a powerful reminder of what Israel and Jews around the world have said from the very first day Hamas unleashed its barbarity on October 7th: Release the hostages, and the war will end. Israel has long made clear that peace was always within reach - if Hamas chose humanity over hate. The power to end this war has always rested with those who continue to hold innocent civilians in captivity. This conflict, born from unspeakable acts of murder, rape, and terror against innocent Israeli men, women, children, and babies, will not truly end until every hostage is returned home.

In the aftermath of the Holocaust, the world understood the urgent need for denazification - to eradicate hatred, dismantle lies, and rebuild a moral foundation rooted in truth. Today, we face a parallel challenge. Just as postwar Germany required education and moral reformation, Gaza, too, must undergo a process of deradicalization and truth. Only by removing power from terrorists and replacing indoctrination with education can a generation of Gazans learn hope instead of hate and build a future of peace.

Here in the United States and across the world, we must also confront the dangerous spread of propaganda and misinformation that distorts reality and fuels a troubling resurgence of antisemitism.

“We cannot be afraid to speak the truth,” said HMTC Executive Director Bali Lerner. “We must meet lies with courage, clarity, and education - because only truth can defeat the hatred that has once again shown its face.”

HMTC reaffirms its unwavering mission: to educate, to preserve memory, and to ensure the world never forgets what happens when hate and propaganda are left unchallenged. Through programs with students, educators, and community leaders, HMTC continues to fight antisemitism and all forms of hate with truth, empathy, and historical understanding.

“To the families forever changed by unimaginable loss - we stand with you. We will never forget. We will never stop fighting antisemitism, nor the evil that revealed itself on October 7, 2023. We will always stand on the side of truth,” Lerner concluded.

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15 September, 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Calls on All Elected Officials to Condemn Candidates Who Normalize Antisemitism - Not Support Them

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) provides clarity to the issue of Modern Antisemitism; explaining that any political figure who supports a candidate that refuses to protect Jewish communities - whether on college campuses, in our neighborhoods, on public transportation, or in professional environments - is enabling the normalization of antisemitism.

This includes supporting candidates who:

Do not recognize the Jewish people’s right to safety and dignity in all spaces,
Refuse to affirm the legitimacy of the State of Israel,
Advocate for the criminalization and arrest of Jewish leaders,
Or otherwise threaten to ban pro-Israel voices and institutions.

To support such a candidate is not a neutral political choice. It is an endorsement of dangerous ideology and a normalization of hate that puts Jews everywhere at risk.

HMTC stands firmly against all forms of bigotry and calls upon elected officials, community leaders, and every American of conscience to reject any candidate or platform that threatens Jewish safety and democratic values. To remain silent, or worse - to lend political support - is to betray the very principles of liberty, equality, and tolerance upon which this nation was built.

Our message is simple: If you support a candidate who will not protect Jews, you are complicit in fueling antisemitism and anti-American values.

At a time of rising hate crimes, surging antisemitic rhetoric, and institutional complacency, there is no room for ambiguity. We urge every elected official to publicly denounce hate in all its forms and recommit themselves to upholding the values of justice, human rights, and mutual respect.

Let it be clear: The Jewish people have a right to live in peace, to educate freely, to conduct business without fear, to worship openly, and to participate fully in public life - both here in New York and around the world.

Jews will not be silent, will not be erased, and will not stand by while their history and safety are compromised.

About HMTC:

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County is dedicated to educating people of all ages about the Holocaust while promoting tolerance, respect for human dignity, and the elimination of prejudice and hatred through education.

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15 July 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Condemns Screening of “Roger Waters: This Is Not a Drill – Live from Prague” and Calls on All Cinemas to Cancel

HMTC strongly condemns the screening of Roger Waters: This Is Not a Drill – Live from Prague, and calls on Sag Harbor Cinema and all theaters worldwide to cancel any showing of this film. To give Roger Waters a platform is to amplify a dangerous and well-documented purveyor of antisemitism and hate.

Waters has long crossed the line from political expression into open, unapologetic antisemitism:

He has appeared on stage in Nazi-style uniforms and used fascist-style imagery—including a floating pig marked with a Star of David, equating Judaism with evil and greed.
He promotes antisemitic tropes, blaming the so-called “Jewish lobby” for global control and influence - a modern echo of fascist propaganda.
He publicly supports the BDS movement in ways that demonize Israel.
He has minimized the Holocaust and made grotesque comparisons between Nazi Germany and the Jewish people today.

These actions are not isolated. In 2023, German authorities investigated Waters for hate speech following a Berlin performance steeped in Nazi references. He has been widely condemned by Jewish organizations around the globe, and Holocaust survivors who recognize his rhetoric for what it is: incitement.

Words have consequences. Waters’ platform fuels real-world antisemitic violence against synagogues, Jewish schools, and individuals. Normalizing this kind of hate under the guise of “art” endangers communities and distorts the truth.

Hosting or screening this performance is not just offensive, it is an endorsement of hate, especially here on Long Island in New York, which is home to one of the world’s largest Jewish communities outside of Israel, with a large number of Holocaust survivors.

We urge Regal Westbury, Sag Harbor Cinema, and Cinema Arts Centre in Huntington, and all cultural institutions: Do not give Roger Waters a stage. Cancel this screening. Take a stand against antisemitism. Silence is complicity.

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10 July 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Advocates for Mask Ban in New York City to Protect Rights of All New Yorkers

The mask ban law in Nassau County prohibits wearing masks in crowds or during protests, classifying such actions as criminal. This law, which has successfully withstood judicial scrutiny and been deemed constitutional, is a necessary measure to safeguard the rights of all citizens while ensuring transparency and accountability in public discourse.

As an organization dedicated to promoting tolerance, understanding, and the lessons of history, the HMTC believes that implementing a similar mask ban in New York City is essential. The Jewish community, along with all New Yorkers, deserves the protection that comes with this legislation. In times of heightened tension and division, the ability to identify individuals in public gatherings is vital for the safety and security of our neighborhoods.

"We stand firm in our belief that the mask ban is not just a matter of public safety; it is a matter of civil rights," said HMTC Chair Alan Mindel. "In a city that thrives on diversity and openness, we must ensure that all voices can be heard and that accountability is upheld in our democratic processes."

The HMTC calls upon city officials and lawmakers to recognize the importance of this legislation and to take action to implement a mask ban in New York City. By doing so, we can foster a more secure environment for all residents, ensuring that the rights of individuals, including the Jewish community, are protected.

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9 June, 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Applauds Mayor Eric Adams executive order adopting the IHRA Definition of Antisemitism, Calls on Governor Hochul and All Elected Officials to Follow Suit

The Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) commends New York City Mayor Eric Adams for this necessary, long-overdue step in the fight against antisemitism, following his announcement of an executive order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism. This executive order mandates that all city agencies use the IHRA definition to identify and address antisemitic incidents and includes proposed legislation to codify the definition within the City Council.

Mayor Adams’s action comes at a critical time, as antisemitic hate crimes have continued to skyrocket across the nation. New York City recently became the first major U.S. metropolis to establish a dedicated Office to Combat Antisemitism.

Despite the onslaught of antisemitism in New York, Governor Kathy Hochul has yet to fully adopt the definition and push for its codification. New York State is home to the largest Jewish population in the world outside of Israel, making the state’s inaction on this issue particularly egregious.

The IHRA working definition, adopted by over 40 countries and more than 35 U.S. states, is a widely recognized tool for identifying antisemitism in all its forms, including contemporary manifestations that target the State of Israel as a proxy for attacking Jews.

HMTC calls on Governor Hochul and all elected officials to:

Publicly stand against antisemitism by fully adopting the IHRA modern-day definition of antisemitism;
Take concrete action against those who promote or excuse Jew-hatred;
Condemn efforts that delegitimize Israel’s existence as a Jewish state, particularly at a time when such rhetoric fuels global antisemitic violence and murder.

At a moment when some political and community leaders across the United States are either indifferent or worse yet, supporting actions of Hamas and other terrorist organizations, Jewish communities are left increasingly vulnerable. The atrocities of October 7 against Israelis and the subsequent rise in antisemitism worldwide demonstrate the threat that the Jewish community is facing.

“Thank you to NYC Mayor Adams for finally taking this step. We now need the governor of New York State, home to so many Jewish families, Holocaust survivors, and Jewish institutions, to fully adopt and codify the modern IHRA definition,” said Alan Mindel, Chairman, HMTC. “We continue to urge our state leaders to act decisively. Denying Jews the right to define the hate they face is itself a form of antisemitism.”

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22 May, 2025

For Immediate Release

GLEN COVE, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Condemns the Tragic Shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, DC

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) condemns the horrific shooting that occurred at the Capital Jewish Museum in D.C. outside of an American Jewish Committee event. Shot at close range upon exiting the event, the shooter hit two people and, upon arrest, was shouting, “Free, Free Palestine!”. Our hearts are heavy with grief and outrage over this senseless act of violence. A soon-to-be-engaged couple was murdered in cold blood.

This tragic incident highlights the pervasive Jew hatred that continues to afflict our society. We must not allow fear to silence our voices or diminish our commitment to understanding and respect. Violence has no place in our communities, especially at a museum. We demand that, once and for all, our country stop the onslaught of antisemitism that has affected the lives of its Jewish citizens due to our government’s failure to address this hatred.

We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families. Our thoughts are also with the members of the Israeli embassy, the American Jewish Committee, and all those who were in attendance.

In times like these, it is crucial that we come together as a community to reaffirm our commitment to combating hate in all its forms. We urge individuals, organizations, and leaders across the nation to unite against such acts of violence and to promote a culture of mutual respect.

HMTC reaffirms its mission to educate about the Holocaust and advocate for tolerance, remembrance, and the prevention of future atrocities against all people.

- Alan Mindel, HMTC Chairman

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2 May, 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Condemns Unprovoked Attack on Jewish Community in Boulder, Colorado

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) expresses its strong condemnation of the unprovoked attack on members of the Jewish community during a peaceful march on Pearl Street in Boulder, Colorado, on Sunday evening. An incendiary device was thrown into a crowd of Jews during a peaceful march, resulting in severe injuries to at least two people and leaving eight others injured, including children. The attacker, Mohamed Solomon, was screaming “Free Palestine!” while firebombing the victims.

The attack occurred on the same day many news networks picked up a propaganda story claiming IDF soldiers had attacked Gazan civilians getting food from an Israeli-protected relief center. Drone video coverage later confirmed that the attack was not from Israeli troops but rather Gaza militants attempting to slow the flow of aid provided by Israel. The news networks have yet to publish a retraction

This latest terrorist event, as categorized by the head of the FBI, follows the attack just days prior, where two members attending the Capital Jewish Museum were gunned down in Washington, D.C. The rise in open attacks against Jews in America has moved beyond propaganda, intimidation, and vandalism. This violence cannot be ignored. We demand that there be legislation proposed in Congress to prioritize protecting Jews and put into law before the casualties continue to grow exponentially.

HMTC stands in solidarity with the victims and their families and calls for an urgent response from the authorities to ensure the safety and protection of Jewish community members. We urge the public to unite against hate and violence, advocating for a society built on understanding and respect.

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1 May, 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) and Nassau County District Attorney Unite to Launch Anti-Hate Campaign

GLEN COVE, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) and Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly are joining forces to combat rising antisemitism and hate through a new county-wide educational and deterrent campaign. The partnership was be formally announced at a press conference on Monday, April 28, 2025, at 12:00 PM at HMTC’s center in Glen Cove.

This groundbreaking initiative officially launches today, May 1, 2025, and is designed to empower the Nassau County community through a dual strategy of deterrence and education. The campaign features powerful Public Service Announcements (PSAs) that will be broadcast on television, shared across social media, and made available online through the HMTC website, along with downloadable educational resources. As part of today’s rollout, printed materials will be distributed to schools and community centers, video PSAs will air on broadcast and social media platforms, and audio PSA spots will be released for radio stations, all reinforcing the message that Nassau County stands united against hate.

The campaign’s message is clear: Long Island stands united against hate. The PSAs urge residents to STOP and THINK before engaging in hateful speech or acts, reminding the public that such behavior may carry serious legal consequences, including arrest, prosecution, and mandatory corrective education. At the same time, the campaign promotes a positive alternative: choosing to be a beacon of hope and lifting others.

“Every word or action that promotes hatred or intolerance toward our vibrant communities has consequences,” the PSA warns. “Choose wisely because stepping over the line can mean facing prosecution and corrective education. Instead, reach higher, for yourself and for others.”

HMTC and the Nassau County District Attorney’s Office emphasize that prevention through awareness and knowledge is the most powerful tool in building a safer, more tolerant community. The campaign serves not only as a warning to those who may consider crossing the line but as an invitation to all Nassau County residents to stand up, speak out, and be a force for good.

Look at the campaign initiative here.

(Photos by Gideon Karliner and Gaitley Stevenson Mathews)

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Bernie Furshpan

Marketing Director, HMTC

Email: berniefurshpan@hmtcli.org | Phone: 631) 383.3943

Nicole Turso

Communications Director,

Nassau County District Attorney’s Office

Email: Nicole.Turso@nassauda.org | Phone: (516) 571.3399

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About HMTC:

About the Nassau County District Attorney's Office:

Led by District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly, the NCDA is committed to protecting the people of Nassau County through the fair and effective enforcement of the law and supporting initiatives that build safer, more inclusive communities.

#LongIslandUnitedAgainstHate

#STOPandTHINK

#NoToleranceForHate

1 May 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Condemns The Gutting of The Antisemitism Awareness Act by Senate Committee, Leaving Jewish Students at Risk

After a year in which Jewish students faced unprecedented attacks throughout college campuses across the country, where students faced hostile environments that included false imprisonment, physical assault, threats of violence, and physical attacks, the Antisemitism Awareness Act is all but dead.

Today, in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee, Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders successfully passed an Amendment that indicated the law would protect under the auspices of free speech and criticism of what he called the "Devastation of Gaza" and a long list of accusations against Israel whether accurate or not. It is important to note that Israel has been accused of Genocide, Ethnic Cleansing, and various war crimes that do not have a basis. Republican joined Senator Sanders from Kentucky Rand Paul and the entire Democratic caucus including Senator Patty Murray Washington State, Senator Tammy Baldwin Wisconsin, Senator Christopher Murphy Connecticut, Senator Tim Kaine Virginia, Senator Maggie Hassan New Hampshire, Senator John Hickenlooper Colorado, Senator Ed Markey Massachussets, Senator Andy Kim New Jersey, Senator Lisa Blunt Delaware, and Senator Angela Alsobrooks Mariland.

In a separate amendment, Senator Ed Markey added an amendment to prevent potential foreign civil rights violators from losing their visa if due to antisemitic actions. All the same Senators voted for this painful amendment.

Jews have asked for the same protection that the rest of our nation's population enjoys. High hopes were held for this legislation in the last congress, but the Majority Leader of that session, New York Senator Chuck Schumer, didn't allow the bill to come to the Senate floor.

To all our children, I am sorry. You deserved so much better.

We have witnessed calls for Jewish annihilation, blood libels attacking Jews on every conceivable level. Physical assault of Students, destruction of religious objects and Jewish property on campus, and the disruption of religious services; Social cancellation and ostracisation of Jewish students on campus; Disruption to Classes and the prevention of Jewish students from getting to their classes or quietly enjoying them.

We all know that the hate that starts with jews, never ends there.

We were hoping that our leaders would stand to protect us as we have stood with so many groups, but that just did not happen.

The fight for our survival and the fight for the survival of the soul of our great nation continues, but today was a loss.

Sincerely,

Alan Mindel

Chair, HMTC

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7 April, 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Condemns Antisemitic Document Distributed by NYC Public School System

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) condemns the recent distribution of an antisemitic document by the New York City Public School System through its Office of Student Pathways Newsletter. This document, titled "Stop Gaza GenocideTool Kit", is replete with false and misleading information and Jewish hate propaganda, is abhorent and unacceptable in an educational environment purported to promote understanding and inclusivity.

While the Department of Education has issued an apology for this incident, it is imperative to recognize that this is not an isolated event. The repeated dissemination of such inflammatory materials by the New York City government underscores a terrible trend within the school system. Those responsible for creating the newsletter and including hate-filled links have yet to face any consequences for their actions, perpetuating an atmosphere of hostility and fear among Jewish teachers and students.

The HMTC stands in solidarity with affected individuals and communities, calling for immediate accountability and action to ensure that such incidents do not recur by removing the responsible individuals. It is crucial for the NYC Public School System to take decisive steps to educate staff and students about antisemitism and to foster a safe and supportive environment for all.

We call upon the Department of Education to implement comprehensive training, along with strict consequences for those who propagate hate within our schools. Together, we must work towards a future where all students can learn free from discrimination, bias, and hate.

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24 March, 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Condemns Park Slope United Methodist Church for holding a sacrilegious antisemitic hate-filled event, attacking the Jewish faith and calling for the eradication of the Jewish state.

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) is deeply dismayed to have to publicly condemn Park Slope United Methodist Church, hosting the "Anti-Zionist Interfaith Shabbat Fundraiser & Teach-In" on March 21st. The event was co-sponsored by an organization that has culturally appropriated Jewish sacred prayers and services to spread blood libels and tropes against Jews. This violated the core Christian values of the national United Methodist Church of love, unity, and respect. It went against both the scripture and teachings of the church.

The event transformed the sacred Jewish tradition of Shabbat, into a blasphemous platform for spreading divisive lies and hateful propaganda. By appropriating Jewish rituals (in name only) for hate speech, the Church allowed antisemitism to further infect the Brooklyn Jewish community. This event not only disrespected Jewish traditions but also betrayed the Church’s mission to be a place of healing and unity.

The Church allowed itself to become a vehicle for spreading antisemitic views under the guise of interfaith dialogue. The use of sacred Jewish rituals as a backdrop for an anti-Zionist rally is an offense not only to the Jewish faith but to all who stand for democracy, peace, and respect, and all those who uphold Western values.

The event’s setup was in and of itself disrespectful to the Jewish religion. Attendees were segregated by gender, sitting on mats in a manner antithetical to the traditions of the Church and the Jewish faith, which was advertised as the backdrop. This further distorts the true purpose of gathering together in what is purported to be fellowship, an idea that should focus on mutual respect and understanding, not division.

HMTC stands against this defilement of Judaism. Other organizations, specifically End Jew Hatred, informed the church that the program was antisemitic before it occurred. To allow a hateful and politically charged abomination of the Jewish faith to be propagated under its roof, especially when it is meant to serve as a beacon of peace and scripture, the Church’s actions not only mocked the teachings it claims to proffer but also undermined the efforts of countless religious leaders who have worked toward unity and reconciliation across faiths and communities.

The fact that the church disregarded countless letters from End Jew Hatred, as well as many community members, ignoring community concerns, is in itself disgraceful.

HMTC demands the following from Park Slope United Methodist Church:

1. Publicly apologize for hosting an event that spread antisemitism, and hate and defiled sacred Jewish traditions.

2. Reaffirm the Church’s commitment to peace, inclusivity, and the Christian values of love and unity.

3. Apologize to the Jewish community for promoting lies, hate, antisemitism, and division.

We call on Park Slope United Methodist Church to take immediate action to restore peace and goodwill within its community and the community at large.

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8 March, 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) Supports Federal Action to Combat Antisemitism on University Campuses

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) applauds the Trump Administration’s recent decision to withhold approximately $400 million in federal funding from Columbia University, citing the institution's failure to combat rampant antisemitism and its blatant disregard for the safety of Jewish students.

“Since October 7, Jewish students have faced relentless violence, intimidation, and antiisemitic harassment on their campuses, only to be ignored by those who are supposed to protect them,” said Linda McMahon.

This decisive action is a necessary step toward ending the unchecked spread of hatred on university campuses across the country. HMTC supports the government’s efforts to hold universities accountable for their role in fostering an environment that enables dangerous ideologies, including the recent troubling instances at Columbia and Barnard where students resorted to violence and intimidation in supporting Hamas and promoting the atrocities committed on October 7, 2023.

HMTC is deeply disturbed by the increasing normalization of antisemitism on campuses, as evidenced by the materials recently handed out and the glorifying the acts of terrorism when innocent civilians were raped, burned and brutally murdered. Worse yet was the assault on students, the takeover of areas of learning, and the violent actions and language used. It is disheartening that it has come to this, federal intervention, to force universities to protect their students from hate.

HMTC hopes that this action will pressure Columbia, and other institutions, to immediately address the growing support for extremist groups and ensure that all students, including Jewish students and all those who support democratic values, can feel safe on their campus, free of harassment or violence.

University campuses should be places of learning and free thought, not breeding grounds for extremism and hate. The federal government has made it clear that universities must adhere to their responsibilities under the law and take immediate action to prevent hate from flourishing.

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County emphasizes the importance of holding universities accountable for failing to take meaningful action in response to antisemitism. It is crucial that institutions stop spreading hatred towards Jews via propaganda and stop turning a blind eye to these dangerous behaviors and instead foster environments of tolerance, safety, and mutual respect.

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6 March, 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Condemns The Attack on Barnard College's Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) strongly condemns the violent actions committed today by pro-terrorist groups at Barnard College’s Milstein Center for Teaching and Learning. This attack on an educational institution disrupts the peaceful pursuit of knowledge and demonstrates an alarming disregard for the core values of tolerance, respect, and safety that define our society.

The assailants, who forcibly entered the building, distributed flyers that glorified the leaders of terrorist organizations, Hamas and Hezbollah, promoting ideologies rooted in hate and violence. They also attempted to justify the horrific attacks on Jewish individuals during the October 7 tragedy, which have left deep scars across many communities. Such rhetoric has no place in our educational institutions, nor in any civil society.

In a further escalation of aggression, the perpetrators ignored a bomb threat and refused to evacuate, endangering the safety of students, faculty, and law enforcement officers. Their attack on local police officers exacerbated the situation, highlighting an unsettling trend of violence against those who protect our communities.

The group also displayed a puppet of the Barnard College president, hung in a mocking and disrespectful manner, undermining the institution’s leadership and values of constructive dialogue and peaceful discourse. This display only deepens the divisiveness and undermines efforts to foster understanding in our society.

HMTC stands in solidarity with Barnard College, its students, faculty, and all individuals dedicated to promoting peace, mutual respect, and understanding. Students have a fundamental right to access their educational spaces safely and without fear. We call on local leaders, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, to ensure that those who obstruct justice are arrested and held accountable. We also urge District Attorney Alvin Bragg to prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law.

We urge the College to take immediate action against students who are not only violating the institution's code of conduct but also breaking the law.

We implore all community members, educational institutions, and leaders to unite in denouncing this act of terror and to reaffirm our commitment to a future free from violence and hate. Students have a fundamental right to access their educational spaces safely and without fear. We call on local leaders, including New York Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, to ensure that those who obstruct justice are arrested and held accountable. We also urge District Attorney Alvin Bragg to prosecute these individuals to the fullest extent of the law.

Let us come together to foster respect, promote meaningful dialogue, and educate against intolerance, so that every voice may be heard with dignity.

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27 February, 2025

For Immediate Release

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Condemns The Hostile Takeover of Milbank Hall at Barnard College

We stand firmly in condemnation of last night’s hostile takeover of Milbank Hall on the campus of Barnard College, where a masked group of pro-Palestinian protesters forcibly entered the office area of the school administration, removed Jewish students from their classes and the building, and continue to occupy the premises. This violent incident which calls for an intifada revolution, which is a call for violence and terrorism, poses a significant threat to the safety and well-being of Jewish students and the broader campus community.

As of 9 pm, the administration has yet to take decisive action to address this situation. The ongoing occupation of Milbank Hall not only disrupts the educational environment but also sends a chilling message of intolerance and aggression against Jewish students and the general student population. Such actions are reminiscent of previous events that have made Columbia and Barnard increasingly unsafe for Jewish students, fostering an atmosphere of fear and hostility.

We are deeply concerned by the frequency of these incidents that have occurred throughout New York State universities and the continuous lack of accountability for those who perpetrate these hostile acts. The failure of educational institutions to enforce their policies against hate and violence, coupled with a lack of proactive measures from New York's elected leadership to protect Jewish students, has created an environment where such actions have occurred with impunity.

We call upon Barnard College and Columbia University to take immediate and unequivocal action to restore safety and order on campus. It is imperative that the administration denounces these acts of violence, protects its students, and upholds the values of inclusivity and respect for all members of the community. Criminal charges should be taken against the attackers.

The Jewish community deserves to feel safe and secure in its educational pursuits, free from the threat of violence and intimidation. We urge all members of the community to stand in solidarity against hatred and to work towards a peaceful and respectful dialogue that fosters understanding among all students.

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18 February, 2025

For Immediate Release

The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center (HMTC) Condemns Pro-Hamas Rally in Borough Park

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County (HMTC) condemns the planned rally brought to a Jewish community by pro-Hamas supporters, who have announced their intention to "Flood Borough Park" on Tuesday, February 18 at 6:00 PM. The rally, spearheaded by PAL-Awda, appears to be specifically designed to terrorize a neighborhood known for its significant Jewish population.

The term "flood" invokes violent imagery and has been associated with Hamas' description of the atrocities of October 7 as the “Al-Aqsa flood.” The word "flood" further implies a threat of anarchy, chaos, and violence, endangering the well-being and safety of all in the Borough Park area. We are deeply alarmed by the increasing acts of antisemitism and hate speech tied to this rally, which dangerously fuels hostility against Jewish communities. The escalation of violence toward Jewish individuals is intolerable, and this rally is a direct endorsement of the terror attacks on October 7, which have spurred a dramatic rise in hate crimes.

While we at HMTC strongly believe in the rights of free speech and to advocate for a group or cause, when your cause is to promote acts of terror, that becomes hate speech. We call on PAL-Awda to immediately cease their promotion of Hamas’ ideology of hate and violence and to stop further terrorizing Jewish communities. The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County also urges all those who stand for justice, democracy, and civilized behavior to stand with the Jewish community, as they have with other targeted and mistreated groups throughout history.

HMTC further demands that New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, and all leaders at local, state, and national levels take immediate, decisive action to publicly denounce the idolization of terrorism, both in the U.S. and abroad. It is critical that elected officials show unwavering support for Jewish Americans and ensure that our communities are protected from acts of hate and violence.

As we stand firm in the values of tolerance, understanding, and unity, HMTC urges all individuals to speak out against terrorism and hate in all of its forms.

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19 January, 2025

For Immediate Release

HMTC Shares with Our Community the Bittersweet Relief and Love for Our Three Hostages Who Returned Today After Enduring 471 Days of Hell

Glen Cove, NY — The Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Long Island (HMTC) welcomes back Romi Gonen, Emily Damari, and Doron Steinbrecher.

A veterinary tech, a waitress, and a British national. One was taken from a concert and two were ripped from their homes. They are civilians who committed no crime beyond being Jews within the borders of Israel proper. Not Gaza, which Israel left in 2005, and not the West Bank.

We are so thankful to have them home. We can never understand the suffering they and their families have endured. We are with them every step of the way as they work on their recovery and wish them peace for the rest of their days.

We acknowledge that the events of their return are bittersweet. While they are back, we continue to stand with the 94 other souls (7 of which are Americans) and their families who continue to suffer awaiting the return of their loved ones. We hope to see them soon, alive.

We apologize to Romi, Emily, and Doron that while we have prayed for them every day, they have returned to a world that has nowhere near enough empathy for their plight nor any of the others who have suffered since October 7, 2023.

We are ashamed of the failing of justice and fear the future actions of the 90 prisoners being released in exchange for them, most of whom have been convicted of crimes after due process from a court of law, for crimes as serious as murder.

We remain baffled by the entire world that has attacked Jews on the streets, in schools, and their homes, merely because they are Jews, accusing our sovereign law-abiding nation of genocide and the creation of an apartheid state when neither has any basis in truth and when those that claimed to have been suffering a genocide today claim victory on the streets and readily say, their goals are the complete annihilation of the Jewish people. The world’s hatred of Jews buoys them to vow to repeat the atrocities of October 7th again and again and again. They now openly admit that each attack coupled with these lies is their future strategy in attacking the Jewish people the world over.

We will remember all of this, just as we remember the Shoah; and we will survive it all.

The nation of Israel lives.

Alan Mindel

Chair, HMTC