Like so many of us, I was beyond distraught to see the heinous crimes against humanity committed by the Hamas terrorist group against ordinary civilians in Israel. This unprovoked attack was more brutal than anything the world had previously seen. Beyond our worst nightmares.

As the week went on, there was another wound to our community that I cannot forgive and one which we all have a responsibility to stand up to. Since Saturday, October 7, 2023, instead of comforting their Jewish communities, so many colleges and universities have attacked Israel and American Jews, while rationalizing that these evil acts were somehow deserved. Implicitly in this frame of mind is the worldwide dehumanization of Jews. Many of our politicians have also either gone on the attack against Jews or have remained silent. There are a courageous few who have stood up for Jews and against Hamas. With so few allies though, the American Jewish community has never felt so alone. 

With the above in mind, we as a group have decided that for now, we must change the direction of HMTC. While we are not a specifically Jewish institution, we will support and stand by every Jewish congregation and community on Long Island and New York. We want to ensure that people know groups like ours are with them and will support them. We will use our platform to attack anti-Israel and Jewish hate actions throughout our area. We will defend the truth about Israel and its people.

There is a double standard that exists, where Israel is held to a higher standard compared to the rest of the world. We further must contradict and demand justice for every lie told about Israel that has served as the basis for anti-Israel and Jewish hate. We must stand up to every group that perpetrates these lies and biases against Jews, exposing their lies and using all legal opportunities to expose and hurt these institutions as we spread the truth about Israel. We believe Israel is essential to the preservation of the Jewish community here and across the globe.

As a Holocaust Center, it is our job to stand up to all forms of hate and to be part of the tapestry of organizations that fight for a freer, more open, and fair society. It just so happens that the events of the last week hit much closer to home for many of us. Regardless, this is the fight we must now take on.

We stand for each person's individual rights.
Because of this, we stand with Jews.
And because of the above, we stand with Israel.

Alan Mindel,
Chair, Board of Directors