New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdadi unveiled a 33‑page plan to combat antisemitism in the city’s public schools, but Holocaust educator and author Dov Forman argues the strategy falls short of the United Kingdom’s recent, more specific approach.

UK adopts all 27 recommendations from independent review

The British government accepted every recommendation from an independent review of antisemitism in English schools and colleges. The package includes encouraging schools to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, providing specialized training for teachers, strengthening reporting procedures and creating an independent oversight body.

NYC plan lacks definition and measurable goals

By contrast, Mamdadi’s plan does not adopt a single definition of antisemitism, does not explicitly separate anti‑Zionism from antisemitism, and offers no numerical benchmarks to gauge success. While the mayor’s proposal expands Holocaust education and funds visits to the Museum of Jewish Heritage, it leaves key questions about how schools will identify and respond to incidents.

Forman calls for adoption of the IHRA definition

Forman told Fox News Digital that the “bare minimum” for any effective strategy is to adopt the globally‑agreed IHRA definition. He added, “The basic way to solve antisemitism is to actually agree on what it is and to understand that targeting a Jew deliberately because of what is going on in Israel, for example, is antisemitic, as the IHRA definition says.”

Concerns about implementation and rhetoric

Forman cautioned that the British recommendations remain largely optional and that their impact will depend on whether institutions act. He also warned that British officials must ensure their public statements about Israel do not contradict their commitment to protect Jewish communities.

Rabbi Yehuda Kaploun, the U.S. special envoy to monitor and combat antisemitism, welcomed Britain’s decision but emphasized that adoption is only the first step. “Now, the challenge lies in implementation and enforcement,” he wrote on X.

Local Jewish leaders criticize NYC strategy

Rabbi Chaim Steinmetz, senior rabbi of Congregation Kehilath Jeshurun, called Mamdadi’s plan a “paper tiger,” noting that the announced $36 million budget obscures how little would go directly toward physical security. “It’s a million dollars in security in a city with a million Jews. It’s a dollar a Jew,” he said.

The mayor’s budget includes $1 million for physical security of vulnerable nonprofit organizations and $6.4 million for grants through the city’s Partners Against the Hate initiative. Steinmetz argued that much of the money would support cultural centers and broadly defined community projects rather than immediate security needs.

Broader community response

Several New York Jewish organizations, including the UJA‑Federation of New York and the American Jewish Committee’s New York office, issued a joint statement warning that Mamdadi’s plan fails to address the central source of contemporary antisemitism: rhetoric that demonizes or delegitimizes Israel.

“How can you have a strategy to keep New York Jews safe when you can’t even name what the danger is?” Steinmetz asked.

Mayor’s office silent on specifics

When asked why the city’s strategy omits the IHRA definition and measurable benchmarks, the mayor’s office had not responded at the time of publication.

Both the United Kingdom and New York City have faced criticism for slow progress in combating antisemitism. Physical attacks, threats and harassment of Jewish residents continue to underscore the urgency of clear, enforceable policies.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.