NYPD boosts Synagogue security for Passover amid anti-Semitic crime surge

With Passover nearing, the New York Police Department is stepping up security around synagogues and Jewish institutions citywide, responding to a troubling wave of antisemitic hate crimes that now account for 62% of all hate incidents in New York City. NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch emphasized the department’s resolve, stating, “No one should fear practicing their faith, and no group should feel singled out,” as she detailed plans for heightened patrols, a noticeable police presence, and close collaboration with Jewish community leaders during the holiday. Deputy Inspector Gary Marcus of the Hate Crimes Task Force called antisemitism the “most prevalent form of hate” in the city, pointing to a 7% uptick in anti-Jewish incidents in 2024, with 345 cases recorded, a trend persisting into 2025.

The surge isn’t just in frequency but in intensity. Recent incidents paint a grim picture: a Brooklyn woman was struck in the face at a subway station as her assailant shouted, “You filthy Jew, I despise you all”; a Jewish teenager in Manhattan was shoved to the ground by a group hurling antisemitic insults; and vandals have repeatedly defaced synagogues and Jewish schools in Queens and the Upper East Side with swastikas and hateful messages. These acts—ranging from verbal assaults to physical attacks and property damage—have left many Jewish New Yorkers on edge, wary of attending services or displaying their faith openly.

The NYPD’s response aims to reassure the community, with officials encouraging residents to stay alert and report anything suspicious. Beyond added security, Jewish leaders are pressing for tougher laws and better education to tackle the root causes of this hatred. As Passover looms, the bolstered police measures are meant to do more than just deter—they’re a firm statement that New York City stands against antisemitism, striving to ensure safety and peace for its Jewish residents during a sacred time.