Council Speaker Pushes for Holocaust Education at Remembrance Event

Julie Menin calls for action against rising antisemitism in New York City

Apr. 13, 2026 at 4:11am

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A warm, cinematic painting of a single flickering memorial candle in a dimly lit room, casting soft shadows and bathed in diagonal sunlight, conveying a sense of quiet contemplation and reverence.The solemn glow of a memorial candle honors the memories of those lost in the Holocaust, as the city continues efforts to educate and combat rising antisemitism.NYC Today

Holocaust survivors and descendants gathered at Temple Emanu-El on the Upper East Side for the annual Gathering of Remembrance hosted by the Museum of Jewish Heritage. Democratic City Council Speaker Julie Menin, whose grandfather died in the Holocaust, warned of the rise in antisemitic incidents in New York and spoke about launching a program to bring every eighth-grade public school student to the museum's Holocaust Exhibition.

Why it matters

The Gathering of Remembrance event is an important annual commemoration of the Holocaust, and Menin's remarks highlight the ongoing need to educate the public, especially younger generations, about the horrors of the Nazi genocide and the continued threat of antisemitism.

The details

Menin, whose grandfather died in the Holocaust, spoke at the event about the rise in antisemitic incidents in New York City and the importance of teaching students about the Holocaust through visits to the Museum of Jewish Heritage. She also defended a bill she pushed for that the city council passed last month, which requires the NYPD to clearly designate security perimeters to manage protests outside houses of worship while preserving free speech.

  • The annual Gathering of Remembrance event took place on Sunday, April 13, 2026.
  • The city council passed Menin's bill last month, in March 2026.

The players

Julie Menin

Democratic City Council Speaker whose grandfather died in the Holocaust.

Museum of Jewish Heritage

The organization that hosted the annual Gathering of Remembrance event.

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What they’re saying

“I know and I am hopeful that collectively, by speaking out against antisemitism by holding events like we are today that honor the memories of those that were killed in the Holocaust, that is how we will prevail at this very difficult time.”

— Julie Menin, City Council Speaker

What’s next

Menin plans to continue pushing for the eighth-grade Holocaust education program and enforcement of the new law requiring designated security perimeters for protests outside houses of worship.

The takeaway

This event highlights the ongoing need to educate the public, especially young people, about the Holocaust and the continued threat of antisemitism. Menin's efforts to expand Holocaust education and protect houses of worship demonstrate the city's commitment to combating hate and honoring the memory of those lost.