ADL Finds New York is a Policy Leader for Efforts to Combat Antisemitism

ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) has highlighted New York as a leading state in its legislative efforts to fight the staggering surge in anti-Jewish incidents in the United States. Released today, the Jewish Policy Index (JPI) evaluates all 50 states based on legislative efforts to combat, educate and protect Jewish communities against antisemitism. The Index named New York as a leading state across all policy categories.  

“As incidents of antisemitism surge and policy solutions across government are urgent, ADL today has launched the Jewish Policy Index — the first interactive tool to evaluate every state’s response to antisemitism through legislation, education, and public policy, said Scott Richman, ADL New York/New Jersey Regional Director. “We applaud New York state for leading the way in combating antisemitism through meaningful legislative action including Holocaust education, anti-BDS legislation, and a comprehensive state action plan to combat antisemitism, the first initiative of its kind in the U.S. We are grateful to Governor Hochul for her continued partnership with ADL and taking policy action to support and protect New York’s Jewish communities. We hope to continue to partner on further initiatives.” 

This first iteration of the JPI Index found that only nine states are currently leading the way in combating antisemitism through meaningful legislative action: Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. 

ADL has previously documented a staggering increase in antisemitic incidents in the U.S., with a 344 percent increase over the last five years. The JPI responds to this crisis by evaluating all 50 states based on 22 criteria, grouped into three key categories: Prioritize Fighting Antisemitism; Educate About the Jewish Experience; and Protect Jewish Communities.  

In the JPI, ADL researchers rated each state with an alignment score and a category for its performance: 

Nine states were designated Leading States, including New York, showing high alignment with ADL’s recommended policies to combat antisemitism. 

29 states were classified as Progressing States, showing alignment with some key pieces of the policy agenda and demonstrating a clear path for future action. 

12 states were categorized as Limited Action States, showing little systematic effort to address antisemitism through policy. 

A product of ADL’s Ratings & Assessments Institute (RAI), the Index measures how state laws align with strategies to combat antisemitism and encourages low-performing states to strengthen protections. The interactive platform allows users to compare states’ policies, filter by criteria, and explore category-level performance. 

“ADL has long been calling for a whole-of-government approach to fighting antisemitism, and the Jewish Policy Index fills a critical gap by providing a clear roadmap for states to support their Jewish communities,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “With antisemitic incidents at record highs nationwide, we need more than rhetoric — we need real, measurable policy action. This tool provides a comprehensive overview of where states stand and the steps they can take to improve. We urge state lawmakers to take swift and decisive action to enact strong policies and laws that protect their Jewish communities.” 

This effort is designed to empower residents in every state to act by identifying where their state falls short, understanding the specific steps needed for improvement, and advocating for stronger protections by engaging lawmakers and their communities. It also equips policymakers, educators, advocates, and community leaders to: 

Identify policy gaps and areas for improvement 

Adopt best practices from leading states and advocate for change 

Track progress and promote accountability over time 

“The Jewish Policy Index is both a roadmap and a reality check,” said Danny Barefoot, Senior Director of ADL’s Ratings and Assessments Institute. “Too many states are still falling short when it comes to protecting their Jewish communities. This isn’t just a ranking — it’s a tool for change. We built the Index to push policy forward, equip advocates with data, and hold lawmakers accountable. Fighting antisemitism requires more than outrage — it demands action, and that’s exactly what this Index is designed to drive.” 

The JPI methodology incorporates expert input, secondary legal research, and subject-matter consultation to ensure fairness and rigor. While the Index measures the presence of legislation and initiatives, it does not necessarily reflect ADL’s endorsement of a law’s specific language or implementation, nor does it assess the overall experience of Jewish residents in any state.