Addresses Anti-Semitism & Bias Crime
Following a rise in national and local anti-Semitism and hate crimes, New York State’s new Attorney General Letitia James addressed issues of concern to the county’s Jewish community at the annual Westchester Government Relations Legislative Briefing. The event took place May 23 at Temple Israel Center in White Plains. More than 200 guests were in attendance.
State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Westchester County Executive George Latimer also shared remarks at the breakfast, which is sponsored by UJA-Federation of New York and Westchester Jewish Council.
The U.S. Jewish community experienced near-historic levels of anti-Semitism in 2018, including a doubling of anti-Semitic assaults and the single deadliest attack against the Jewish community in American history, according to data from the Anti-Defamation League. A total of 1,879 attacks against Jews and Jewish institutions were recorded across the country in 2018, the third-highest year on record since ADL started tracking such data in the 1970s.
At the breakfast, James shared her intolerance for hate, and her commitment to take the necessary actions to protect all New Yorkers against any form of bias. “I will strongly take action to protect New Yorkers against hate and ensure full justice is served, and will prosecute to the full extent of the law to protect religious freedom and civil rights,” she said.
James also spoke about the efforts her office is taking to provide safe and affordable housing for all New Yorkers, respond to the opioid crisis, and protect vulnerable populations from phone scams. She is the first woman of color to hold statewide office in New York and the first woman to be elected attorney general.
Joseph Rafalowicz of New Rochelle serves as chairman of UJA-Federation’s Westchester Government Relations Committee, and Karen Everett of Larchmont as vice chairwoman. Harriet Schleifer of Chappaqua and Arnold Linhardt of Bronxville serve as Westchester Jewish Council Government Relations vice chairwoman and chairman, respectively.
