On Monday, US Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) brought the State Department’s Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, Ambassador Deborah Lipstadt, to Queens to address increased attacks on the Jewish community around the world and in New York City, as well as to meet with local Jewish community leaders.
Ambassador Lipstadt, who is based at the State Department in Washington, DC, leads US efforts to fight anti-Semitism across the globe. She has served in the role since May 2022, after she was nominated by President Biden and confirmed by the United States Senate. She is also a Queens native, who was raised in Far Rockaway.
During the event with Meng, Ambassador Lipstadt discussed how the Biden administration is working to protect the Jewish community from the rise in anti-Semitic hate crimes, including initiatives such as the White House’s new national strategy to combat anti-Semitism, which the Congresswoman contributed to earlier this year. Lipstadt also spoke with local Jewish leaders in attendance at the event.
The fireside chat with Meng and Lipstadt took place at the Kupferberg Holocaust Center located on the campus of Queensborough Community College in Bayside.
In addition, the two visited Chazaq in Kew Gardens Hills, which provides a wide range of social services to residents of the Jewish community.
“I thank Ambassador Lipstadt for visiting Queens. It was an honor to host her in my congressional district,” said Congresswoman Meng. “Her position as Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism is more important than ever amid increased attacks on the Jewish community. I thank her for addressing the concerns that our local Jewish leaders have about their safety and for listening to the challenges they face. Unfortunately, my constituents have not been spared from these hateful incidents. I will continue doing all I can to fight this despicable and disgusting surge in hate, and I look forward to continuing to partner with Ambassador Lipstadt on this vital effort.”
“Congresswoman Meng is an essential partner and exemplary leader in the fight against anti-Semitism,” said Ambassador Lipstadt. “I deeply appreciate her steadfast support on the Hill and continuing to act on a local level to ensure the safety of Jewish communities.”
In Congress, Meng serves as a Co-Chair of the House Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism, which works to ensure that Congress plays an integral role in condemning anti-Semitism, and spearheads initiatives that promote tolerance worldwide. She has also worked to address the increase in anti-Semitic incidents, and two weeks ago, helped secure an historic $2.5 million for the Office of the Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism, an increase of $1 million over the amount it received last year.
