GOVERNOR HOCHUL LAUNCHES ADVISORY COMMISSION FOR CREATION OF NEW YORK STATE HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL

Advisory Commission to Help Shape the Design and Development of Holocaust Memorial at the Empire State Plaza

Memorial Will Honor Victims and Survivors, Educate Future Generations and Stand as a Testament Against Antisemitism and Intolerance

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the establishment of a new advisory commission consisting of 19 members that will provide guidance on the creation of a permanent New York State Holocaust Memorial at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. This group comprises educators, historians and community leaders.

The memorial will commemorate the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazi persecution. It will recognize the resilience of survivors and their families, while serving as an enduring site of remembrance and resistance against antisemitism and all forms of hate.

“The New York State Holocaust Memorial will be a powerful tribute to the millions of lives lost and a lasting reminder of our shared responsibility to preserve the truth of history.” Governor Hochul said. “At a time when antisemitism and intolerance continue to threaten communities across our state, nation and around the world, this memorial will ensure that the stories of victims, survivors and their families remain visible, remembered and recognized. By bringing together this distinguished advisory commission, New York is sending a clear message that we will stand firm against all efforts to sow hate and divide our communities.”

In December 2025, Governor Hochul signed S.5784 / A.7614 during her annual Hanukkah reception establishing a permanent Holocaust Memorial at the Empire State Plaza in Albany to recognize victims and survivors of the Holocaust, and to educate the public about the history of the Holocaust and the dangers of antisemitism, racism and all manifestations of intolerance. Amid a rise in antisemitism in New York State and across the nation, the memorial educates students and the public about the Holocaust.

New York State Office of General Services Commissioner Jeanette Moy said, “Creating a space at the Empire State Plaza where New Yorkers and visitors can reflect on the lives forever changed by the Holocaust is an impactful way to recognize their stories and carry them forward. Governor Hochul’s vision for a New York State Holocaust Memorial will add to the Plaza’s tradition of commemoration and reflection on the people and events that have shaped our state. OGS is honored to support the commission as it helps guide the memorial’s development as a symbol of unity, human dignity, and belonging.”

Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York CEO & President Rob Kovach said, “We thank Governor Kathy Hochul for signing this important legislation and establishing the New York State Holocaust Memorial Advisory Commission. A permanent Holocaust memorial in Albany will serve as a lasting tribute to the six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust, honor the survivors who helped build communities across New York, and provide a powerful educational resource for future generations. At a time when antisemitism is rising at alarming levels, this memorial will remind visitors not only of what can happen when hatred goes unchecked, but of what did happen. By creating a permanent place of remembrance at the seat of state government, New York is reaffirming its commitment to preserving Holocaust memory, combating antisemitism, and ensuring that the lessons of history remain visible and relevant for all New Yorkers. This action builds upon Governor Hochul’s strong leadership and continued commitment to confronting antisemitism across our state.”

Through stakeholder engagement and a collaborative design process, the New York State Holocaust Memorial Advisory Commission will help shape the memorial’s vision, educational goals, and commemorative elements. The advisory commission will provide critical input on interpretive programming and ensure the final site serves as both a place of solemn remembrance and a dynamic resource for public education. The New York State Office of General Services will facilitate the project’s development, providing logistical and administrative support throughout the memorial’s planning.

Advisory commission membership

• Ariel Behrman, Vice President of Education at the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
• Lauren Bloomberg, Director of the Holocaust Education Resource Organization (HERO) of the Buffalo Jewish Federation
• Jack Britvan, President of Voices for Truth and Humanity
• Judy Coe Rapaport, Past President of the Safe Haven Holocaust Refugee Shelter Museum
• Michael Cohen, Executive Vice President of the Auschwitz Jewish Center Foundation
• Tali Farhadian, CEO of the Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
• Dr. Sara Fredman Aeder, Executive Vice President of Programming at the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York (JCRC-NY)
• Monica Gebell, Senior Director of the Center for Advocacy and Education at the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester
• Millie Jasper, Executive Director of the Holocaust & Human Rights Education Center
• Ellie Kastel, Executive Director of Boro Park Y
• Rob Kovach, CEO and President of the Jewish Federation of Northeastern New York
• Andrea Myer-Winograd, Executive Director of the Holocaust Museum & Center for Tolerance and Education
• Masha Pearl, Executive Director of The Blue Card
• Dave Reckess, Executive Director of 3GNY – Descendants of Holocaust Survivors
• Dr. Gavriel Rosenfeld, President of the Center for Jewish History
• Daniel Rosenthal, Vice President of Government and External Relations at the UJA-Federation of New York
• Dr. Rochelle Saidel, Founding Executive Director of the Remember the Women Institute
• Dr. Laura Shaw Frank, Vice President for Education at American Jewish Committee (AJC)
• Dr. Lori Weintrob, Executive Director of the Wagner College Holocaust Center

State Senator Patricia Fahy said, “As the sponsor of legislation creating New York State’s first, dedicated Holocaust Memorial, I’m pleased to see the Governor appoint members of its advisory commission to help shape its development. This memorial will stand the test of time and serve as a poignant reminder and educational resource for New Yorkers from across the state about the horrific, state-sanctioned murder of more than six million Jews and more than five million non-Jewish people. In order for the words ‘Never Again’ to mean something, we have to act, and we have to remember.”

Assemblymember Gabriella A. Romero said, “After my legislation to establish a permanent Holocaust Memorial at the NYS Capitol was signed into law last year, I am heartened and excited to see this important project moving forward. At a time when antisemitism and hate continue to rise across our state and country, we have a responsibility to ensure that the devastation and destruction of the Holocaust is properly preserved. This advisory commission will play an invaluable role in shaping the Memorial, and the eventual commemorative space will remind us of collective responsibility to stand against hatred and intolerance. I thank Governor Hochul for her commitment to bringing this memorial to life.”

Assemblymember Charles D. Lavine said, “This memorial will serve as a reminder of the wholesale murder of more than 6 million Jews by the Nazis during World War II. As someone who believes we must fight hate through education, I am thankful its creation. I appreciate the careful consideration Governor Hochul is putting into making sure it is done with sensitivity. Since taking office, she has been a staunch ally in the fight against antisemitism and all forms of hate.”

Assemblymember John T. McDonald III, RPh said, “I am grateful to Governor Hochul for appointing this advisory commission and to Assemblymember Gabriella Romero and Senator Pat Fahy for their continued work to bring the New York State Holocaust Memorial to fruition. Establishing a permanent memorial at the Empire State Plaza is an important step in honoring the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust and recognizing the strength and resilience of survivors and their families. Just as importantly, this memorial will serve as a lasting educational resource, ensuring that we never forget the atrocities of the past and reinforcing our responsibility to stand against antisemitism, hatred and intolerance in all forms.”

The establishment of this advisory commission builds on Governor Hochul’s ongoing efforts to combat antisemitism and other forms of bigotry throughout New York, as well as provide continuous support for Holocaust survivors and their families.

Governor Hochul’s Agenda To Combat Antisemitism

Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York launched America’s first-ever statewide plan to combat antisemitism and directed the New York State Division of Human Rights to establish the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit (HBPU) to help communities combat prejudice and discrimination. Additionally, the Governor signed landmark legislation requiring every New York State college campus to designate a Title VI coordinator to address discrimination.

To ensure that New Yorkers can exercise their right to worship in a manner that is safe and free from harassment, the enacted FY27 State Budget amended state law to criminalize harassment within 50 feet of a house of worship with the intent to harass individuals attending services. To date, the Governor has delivered more than $200 million to hundreds of nonprofit community-based organizations through the Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) program. These grants provide funding to boost safety and security for organizations at risk of hate crimes or attacks because of their ideology, beliefs, or mission.

Amid her commitment to combatting antisemitism, the Governor has taken actionable steps to commemorate the Holocaust and support survivors across New York State. The FY 2023 Enacted Budget provided $2.6 million in funding to support the Holocaust Survivors Initiative to increase access to healthcare related services, provided by community-based organizations for those who suffered in the Holocaust. Funding for this program has continued in consecutive enacted budgets, with the last appropriation in the FY 2027 Enacted Budget allocating over $1 million. Additionally, Governor Hochul secured $183 million in compensation to victims and their families through the Department of Financial Services’ Holocaust Claims Processing Office to help them recover bank, insurance and other material losses from the Holocaust.

In 2022, Governor Hochul signed legislation to honor Holocaust survivors and promote continued Holocaust education by ensuring that schools across the state are meeting instruction requirements on Holocaust education. Additional legislation requires all museums to acknowledge the origins of art pieces that were stolen from Europeans during the Nazi era, primarily from Jewish families. These landmark pieces of legislation and funding ensure that the memory of those who were lost during the Holocaust is never forgotten and survivors living in New York State are financially supported.