Page 24 - The Indian EYE 021326

NORTH AMERICAN Newsline FEBRUARY 13, 2026 | The Indian Eye 24

Mayor Mamdani Appoints Phylisa

Wisdom as Executive Director of Mayor’s

Office to Combat Antisemitism

OUR BUREAU communities together and safeguard
Jewish New Yorkers. New York City
New York
Comptroller Mark Levine described
t a moment of heightened her as consistently thoughtful, col-
concern over rising antisem- laborative, and well-suited to lead
Aitism across the city and the the office at a time when its work is
nation, New York City Mayor Zohran “more critical than ever.”
Kwame Mamdani today announced State Senator Liz Krueger high-
the appointment of Phylisa Wisdom lighted Wisdom’s ability to navigate
as Executive Director of the Mayor’s the diversity of New York City’s
Office to Combat Antisemitism. The Jewish community, noting that
appointment underscores the admin- her leadership would strengthen
istration’s commitment to confront- the city’s response to antisemitism
ing antisemitism and all forms of hate while fostering unity. Former New
while ensuring the safety, dignity, and York City Comptroller Brad Lander
belonging of Jewish New Yorkers called the appointment a smart and
across all five boroughs. timely choice, praising Wisdom’s
“Phylisa Wisdom is a respected commitment to justice, dignity, and
leader and a powerful voice in the bridge-building across lines of dif-
fight against antisemitism in New ference.
York City, Albany, and across the Hall and to demonstrate the power tion in public elementary schools, ad- Religious leaders also voiced
country,” Mayor Mamdani said. of pluralistic democracy in the great- dressing COVID-era learning loss, strong support. Rabbi Rick Jacobs,
“Day in and day out, we will work to- est city in the world.” and promoting fairness for students President of the Union for Reform
gether to root out antisemitism and Wisdom most recently served in nonpublic schools. She began her Judaism, said the city needs an expe-
build a city where Jewish New York- as Executive Director of the New professional journey as anAN edu- rienced and respected leader to guide
ers are safe, respected, and free. I am York Jewish Agenda (NYJA), where cator, working directly with students a robust response to frequent antise-
thrilled to welcome her to this role at she led advocacy efforts to advance with special educational needs. mitic incidents, adding that Wisdom
such a critical time.” the values and priorities of Jewish Her international experience brings years of relationship-building
Wisdom assumes the post as New Yorkers in state and local pol- further distinguishes her back- and strategic leadership. Rabbi Bob
incidents of antisemitism continue icy, politics, and public discourse. In ground. Wisdom helped establish Kaplan of JCRC-NY and Rabbi Ra-
to rise, prompting renewed calls for that role, she successfully pushed for educational intervention centers in chel Timoner of Congregation Beth
coordinated citywide action, stron- legislation in Albany aimed at com- Melbourne, Australia, and Tokyo, Elohim both emphasized Wisdom’s
ger prevention strategies, and deeper bating antisemitism and other forms Japan, reflecting a global perspective moral clarity, compassion, and deep
community engagement. The May- of hate, and testified before the New on education and social policy. love for the Jewish community.
or’s Office to Combat Antisemitism York City Council in support of in- She later worked in public af- As Executive Director, Wisdom
is tasked with leading these efforts, creased funding for hate crime pre- fairs at the Massachusetts Executive will be charged with shaping a com-
working across city agencies, com- vention initiatives. Office of Health and Human Ser- prehensive citywide strategy to con-
munities, and institutions to address Her career reflects a deep en- vices, where she supported youth front antisemitism, working closely
hate crimes, strengthen education gagement with public service, civic anti-violence initiatives and efforts with law enforcement, educators,
and awareness, and ensure account- leadership, and coalition building. to improve LGBTQ+ public health faith leaders, and community orga-
ability. Wisdom has worked extensively in outcomes. nizations.
“I am honored and humbled advocacy through the Union for Wisdom studied at California Her appointment signals a re-
to take on this role in Mayor Mam- Reform Judaism’s Religious Ac- State University and earned a mas- newed focus on prevention, protec-
dani’s administration at a truly piv- tion Center and has served as a staff ter’s degree in public policy from tion, and partnership—grounded in
otal moment for the Jewish com- member, board member, adviser, and King’s College London, combining the belief that combating antisemi-
munity,” Wisdom said. “New York volunteer across local and national academic training with hands-on ex- tism is inseparable from the broader
City has long been a beacon of hope political efforts. She is also a former perience across education, health, fight against hate and intolerance.
for Jewish life. We must ensure that elected member of the Brooklyn and advocacy sectors. With this leadership transi-
Jewish safety and belonging remain Democratic County Committee. The appointment drew wide- tion, the Mamdani administration
at the core of this administration’s In addition to her work on an- spread praise from elected officials has made clear that addressing an-
vision for a more livable city. In a tisemitism and civil rights, Wisdom and community leaders across the tisemitism is not only a policy pri-
time of rising hatred and fear, I look brings significant experience in edu- political and religious spectrum. Con- ority but a moral imperative, cen-
forward to embracing this solemn re- cation policy and advocacy. Her work gressman Jerry Nadler welcomed tral to New York City’s identity as
sponsibility—both to represent the has included advancing educational the news, expressing confidence in a diverse, inclusive, and pluralistic
diverse array of Jewish voices to City equity, supporting literacy interven- Wisdom’s ability to bring diverse global capital.

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