A new survey conducted among residents of Long Island, New York, has brought to light alarming levels of skepticism regarding Holocaust education and the role of the Jewish community. The research, commissioned by local real estate developer Steven Krieger and conducted by national research firm McLaughlin Associates, surveyed close to 400 residents across Nassau and Suffolk counties, the suburban expanse of Long Island, situated just east of New York City. According to The New York Post, the findings revealed that nearly one-third of the participants questioned the mandate of including Holocaust education in public schools and, in what some found deeply offensive, suggested that Jewish people should ‘move on.’
The controversy deepened with another finding detailed by the same outlet: approximately 15% of the participants reported either believing that the Nazi genocide had been ‘exaggerated’ or opted not to provide an answer. The release of these survey results, at a time coinciding with the solemn anniversary of the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp, has naturally intensified public discussion about historical memory and anti-Semitism.
The poll’s results prompted immediate and sharp condemnation from community advocacy groups. Gloria Sesso, president of the Long Island Council for Social Studies, reacted to the findings labeling the suggestions ‘inconceivable,’ particularly the notion that Jewish people should ‘move on.’ Sesso firmly stated that dismissing the Holocaust’s relevance in educational settings is not only ‘irresponsible’ but also dangerous, arguing that the results should serve as a potent ‘wake-up call’ directed squarely at educators and the public at large.
These reported findings surface against a backdrop of rising concerns regarding antisemitic incidents in New York. The American Jewish Committee has highlighted that while Jews constitute only about 12% of New York City’s total population, they remain disproportionately targeted by hate crimes. Data provided by the NYPD showed that between January and March, the city recorded 143 hate crimes, with a substantial 55% of those incidents—equating to 78 cases—being directed specifically against Jewish individuals or communities. Worryingly, in January alone, 31 anti-Jewish incidents were reported, marking a dramatic 182% surge compared to the corresponding period in the previous year. These escalating tensions underscore the urgency of thorough educational programs to combat ignorance and hatred, as stressed by those concerned with preserving the historical integrity of the Holocaust narrative.