Lawrence Mayor Samuel Nahmias joined more than 200 other municipal leaders at the 2025 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in New Orleans earlier this month.
Hosted by the Combat Antisemitism Movement Dec. 2-4, the event familiarized officials at all levels of government with the skills to combat acts of hate directed at their constituents, from ordinances and crisis communication guidance to law enforcement training and community-building strategies.
Nahmias, who was recently honored by the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center of Nassau County, in Glen Cove, for his commitment to community and justice, noted the impact of the conference. “I learned from colleagues across government about the diverse and meaningful ways they are addressing the antisemitic incidents their constituents face,” he wrote in a news release.
The summit welcomed more than 60 guest speakers and moderators. Participants had the opportunity to join panels as well as formal and informal discussions focused on real-world strategies for combating antisemitism on a local level. They explored how to create effective strategies to reduce threats, and how to strengthen education, security, reporting systems and community trust while addressing hate and discrimination more broadly.
Nahmias ex-plained that the conference illuminated the need for a unified front against antisemitism, which can damage communities if not dealt with effectively.
“Antisemitism is a persistent, destructive force,” he said in a statement. “Hatred aimed at Jews or Israel eventually expands to target other minority communities as well, which is why our fight must be united, consistent and unwavering at every level.”
The panel discussions helped mayors and other municipal officials identify when public expression morphs from legitimate protest to harassment and intimidation. The experts detailed the warning signs of escalating risk, and tools like threat analysis with which cities can respond to potentially combustible situations while protecting constituents’ right to free speech and maintaining community trust.
Guest speakers discussed strategies like finding common interests across diverse groups to build unity among community leaders and elected officials.
Yehuda Kaploun, a Chabad rabbi from Miami who is President Trump’s nominee to be Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Antisemitism, called the fight against it a “moral obligation for (everyone),” calling antisemitism “anti-American.”
“Myself, the president, the secretary of state, and the entire administration are going to work tirelessly to make sure religious liberty, justice, and restoring respect for humanity for everybody is the goal.”
One panel featured former members of extremist groups, who focused on helping leaders detect early signs of violent radicalization and mitigate threats before they escalate.
Nahmias called for action from other government bodies, criticizing those who have proposed divesting from Israeli’s economy and business ventures, saying they would “ignore Israel’s contributions to the world.” Israeli inventors and scientists have created household staples like the navigation system Waze, the cherry tomato and the technology for the USB flash drive.
“The world would be markedly less advanced without Israel’s ingenuity and collaboration,” Nahmias wrote. “Instead of turning our backs, we should recognize and support the immense value Israel brings to the international community.”
Hempstead Town Supervisor John Ferretti, who joined Nahmias at the summit, said, “(This) kind of teamwork is exactly what municipal leaders need.”
“The discussions at the Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism were honest, raw and focused on the real problems local leaders encounter daily,” Ferretti wrote in a statement. “(I) proudly attended the summit and joined in conversations about working together, stopping antisemitism before it starts, and using practical ideas to make our communities safer.”
The Combat Antisemitism Movement is a global coalition of more than 700 partner organizations and 4 million people, according to its website, unified in the common mission to fight “the world’s oldest hatred.” Its members, who represent a diverse array of religious, political and cultural backgrounds, act collaboratively to build a better future, free of bigotry, for Jews and all humanity.
Summit attendees become part of the movement’s year-round municipal network, with access to resources like the Municipal Antisemitism Action Index to measure the impact of their efforts to create safer, stronger communities.
“We must continue to bridge divides, strengthen communication and act with empathy and solidarity,” Nahmias wrote. “Through unity, vigilance, and a commitment to our shared humanity, we can confront antisemitism in all its forms and ensure our communities remain safe, inclusive, and resilient.”
