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County Legislature Observes Holocaust Remembrance Day

Legislators Honor Victims & Survivors Of Yom HaShoah 

New ADL Report Shows Dramatic Increase In Antisemitic Incidents Across Nation, With Largest Increase In New York

Rockland County Legislators have joined in a Proclamation to designate April 24 as Holocaust Remembrance Day in Rockland as new statistics show dramatic increases in the number of antisemitic incidents across the country.

The Proclamation was issued by Rockland County Legislators Paul Cleary, Beth J. Davidson, Thomas F. Diviny, Toney L. Earl,  Joel Friedman, Lon M. Hofstein, Jay Hood Jr., Moshe Hopstein, Douglas J. Jobson,  Will J. Kennelly, Jesse M. Malowitz, Aney Paul, Raymond W. Sheridan, Philip Soskin, Dana G. Stilley, Alden H. Wolfe and Itamar J. Yeger.

Legislators Malowitz, Davidson, Stilley and Yeger were among those attending today’s Yom HaShoah program at the County Courthouse. Yom HaShoah remembers and honors the 6 million Jews murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators, along with 5 million others, during World War II.

Thank you to the sponsors of today’s program: The Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education, Justice Brandeis Law Society, 9th Judicial District and Rockland County Bar Association, County Commissioner of Jurors Sabrina Greco, and to Paul Adler for his many ongoing contributions to the event.

The theme of this year’s remembrance was “Standing Up Against Injustice,” with main remarks by Hon. Joseph Zayas, Chief Administrative Judge of New York State.

Nearly 80 years after the end of World War II in Europe, new information released this week by the Anti-Defamation League shows dramatic increases in the numbers of antisemitic incidents across the country.

“When hate arises, it usually doesn’t start and end with one group,” County Legislator Jesse Malowitz said. “It underlines the need for all of us to stand in solidarity not only with our neighbors, but even strangers.”

ADL Audit Highlights:

• Highest number of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. were in New York - 1,437, up nearly 18%, and including 82 assaults.
• Nationwide, 9,354 there were antisemitic incidents, the highest level recorded in the 46-year history of the audit.
• For the first time in the history of the audit, a majority (58%) of all incidents contained elements related to Israel or Zionism, with a large portion of Israel-related antisemitic incidents occurring at or in the vicinity of anti-Israel protests.
• Out of 5,000+ anti-Israel rallies tracked by ADL in 2024, 2,596 involved antisemitic messaging in the form of signs, chants or speeches.
• Incidents on college and university campuses rose more steeply than those in any other location. In 2024, the ADL recorded 1,694 antisemitic incidents on college campuses, 84% higher than in 2023.
• Campus incidents comprised 18% of all incidents, a larger proportion than in any previous audit.

 County Legislator Dana Stilley said the numbers chronicle a frightening and dangerous trend that needs to be addressed by all people, no matter their background.

“We have to recommit to standing up for one another or we will open wide the door to hatred, racism and violence,” Legislator Stilley said. “The Holocaust didn’t just happen. There was a creeping increase of hate against Jews.”

Awareness campaigns, educational efforts and legal remedies are among the tools that could be used, she said, along with calling out hateful words and other behaviors whenever we see them.

County Legislator Beth Davidson said, “With antisemitism still raging around the globe, it is more important than ever to recommit ourselves to the promise of ‘Never again. As an elected official and proud member of Rockland’s Jewish community, I’m grateful for this opportunity to join with my neighbors to remember all those we lost while forging a path forward rooted in ‘Tikkun Olam,’ or ‘Repairing the World.’”

READ the ADL report: https://bit.ly/4iuOXde

 Rockland County Legislators Itamar Yeger, Dana Stilley and Jesse Malowitz with Andrea Winograd of the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education

Paul Adler served as emcee for the Yom HaShoah Remembrance

 The Yom HaShoah Remembrance was filled to capacity with those gathering to remember the 6 million Jews and 5 million others murdered by the Nazis and their collaborators.

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