Keynote Address from New York City Public Schools Chancellor David S. Banks
New York, NY, June 4, 2024… ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) New York/New Jersey is thrilled to announce the recognition of 325 schools for the 2023-2024 school year who were designated “No Place for Hate” in the New York/New Jersey region. Last month, ADL welcomed 600 students and educators to the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts to celebrate the achievements of their schools.
Schools representing nearly 200,000 students across New York state and northern and central New Jersey were committed to making their school community No Place for Hate. They completed at least three No Place for Hate approved activities over the course of the school year, working closely with ADL staff in the process.
“We are so proud to celebrate the hard work of teachers and students from New York and New Jersey,” said ADL New York/New Jersey Regional Director Scott Richman. “Their achievements at this difficult time of rising hate are particularly meaningful and inspiring, and we are thrilled to recognize their dedication to creating inclusive school communities where students respect one another and celebrate difference and diversity.”
On May 22, ADL New York/New Jersey held a special No Place For Hate banner ceremony to award each school who completed the program their banner. ADL also presented the Making A Difference Award to Miri Ben-Ari, a Grammy-Award winning artist, producer and entrepreneur, and Peter Avery, the Director of Theater for New York City Public Schools.
“ADL’s ‘No Place for Hate’ program inspires me to create more music events with the Symphony of Brotherhood Project which is designed to combat hate, racism, and antisemitism,” said Miri Ben-Ari. “There are a lot of young people out there who would choose harmony over hate, and I look forward to teaming up with ADL to bring about more change!”
“Congratulations to the many school communities, which have made a real and concrete commitment to fighting hate and building a more inclusive environment,” said New York City Public School Chancellor David Banks at the banner ceremony where he delivered a keynote address. “I want to thank ADL staff for managing and growing this program to have impact across the region and the ADL leaders who allow us to offer the program at no cost to our schools… I believe that we all have a responsibility to ensure that when you hear [hate], it does not go unchecked. And that’s why I’m so appreciative of the programming, the skills that you all are developing to learn… to stand up against hate.”
Each year, ADL New York/New Jersey recognizes educators who have gone above and beyond to make their school communities No Place for Hate. For the downstate region, we were proud to recognize Phyllis Beatus-Jacoby from John F. Kennedy High School with the Gold Star Educator Award at Thursday’s ceremony.
Ms. Beatus-Jacoby has been a Social Worker for almost 40 years. In 2002, Ms. Beatus- Jacoby joined John F. Kennedy Jr. School, a High School for students with various cognitive issues, autism spectrum disorders, multiple disabilities and speech and language delays. She works collaboratively with parents, teachers, and therapists to create a safe and inclusive environment where everyone is welcome, respected, and able to participate regardless of their ability or identity. Ms. Beatus-Jacoby brought the No Place for Hate Program into her school in 2016 and has since maintained a gold star status.
ADL also recognizes one student per grade level, per region who has embodied the No Place for Hate mission in their school. ADL NY/NJ recognized the following Cynthia Marks Student Legacy Award Winners for the 2023-2024 school year:
- Elementary: Jillian, 4th grade, Lynbrook, NY
- Middle: Zade, 8th grade, Melville, NY
- High: Janhitha, 11th grade, Jersey City, NJ
For the full list of schools designated No Place for Hate in the 2023-2024 school year, click here: https://nynj.adl.org/2023-2024-no-place-for-hateschools/.
For more information on ADL’s No Place for Hate Program, click here: https://www.noplaceforhate.org/.
ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of antisemitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment for all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of antisemitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org.
# # #