NYC Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy on Combating Antisemitism and City Life

New Office to Combat Antisemitism

• 🎯 Jewish New Yorkers constitute 10% of the city's population but are targets of 62% of hate crimes, a disproportionate number.
• 📈 Since October 7, 2023, there has been an exponential increase in hate crimes against Jewish people.
• 🏛️ The city is establishing a new office with an executive director and a point person at every agency to review materials for anti-semitic language or rhetoric.
• ⚖️ This office may also initiate or join lawsuits against individuals or entities acting in an anti-semitic manner.

Addressing Antisemitism in Education and Society

• 📚 Education is crucial at all levels of the school system to discuss and combat antisemitism and other forms of hate.
• 🗣️ The city aims to increase conversations about antisemitism to foster understanding and combat misconceptions.
• 🌍 Historically, Jewish people have been disproportionately blamed for global problems, especially during times of economic strife.
• 🚫 Denying the Holocaust is identified as a factor that exacerbates antisemitism, with emphasis on visiting museums for education.

Challenges and Strategies in Public Discourse

• 🎭 The city is exploring ways to go further than the state's mask law, potentially banning masks at protests when not used for medical reasons, to prevent the concealment of hate or violence.
• 📢 In the era of social media, the city is employing diverse communication strategies, including podcasts, TikTok, Instagram, and newsletters, to reach New Yorkers.
• 💬 The proliferation of information means it's more difficult to cut through the noise, requiring constant adaptation to get messages directly to the public.

Personal Reflections and New York City

• 💼 Deputy Mayor Levy attributes his strong work ethic to his immigrant parents, who instilled the importance of hard work and dedication.
• 🌟 Role models include his parents and a high school teacher who inspired him to pursue public service and government.
• 🥁 Levy enjoys playing the drums and hopes to take lessons again, highlighting a desire for activities that help him decompress.
• 🏙️ The greatest aspect of New York City is its diversity and abundance of everything – food, culture, and nightlife.
• 🔍 The job offers a unique perspective, allowing him to see the city's complexities, both good and bad, in ways not accessible to others.