New York, NY, June 6, 2025… ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) New York/New Jersey is thrilled to announce the recognition of 337 schools for the 2024-2025 school year who were designated “No Place for Hate” in the New York/New Jersey region. On May 20, ADL welcomed nearly 600 students and educators to the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts to celebrate the achievements of their schools. 

Schools representing over 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 educators and students across New York and New Jersey who have made their schools No Place for Hate,” said ADL New York/New Jersey Regional Director Scott Richman. “I am always so inspired by their dedication to building communities of care, which has a positive ripple effect at a time of rising antisemitism and hate. I appreciate their work in creating inclusive school communities where students respect one another.” 

In addition to celebrating schools, ADL also recognizes one student per grade level 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 2024-2025 school year: 

• Elementary School: Everett L. (1st Grader at P.S. 682, The Academy of Talented Scholars, NY) 

• Middle School: Taji W. (8th Grader at Great Neck North Middle School, NY)  

• High School: Isabella D. (11th Grader at Cresskill High School, NJ) 

ADL was also proud to recognize Antwon P. (P721Q@269, NY) with the Caring for Our Communities Award, a new award connected to the theme of this year’s ceremony, caring for our communities.  

ADL presented the Making A Difference Award to Dr. Tara Liberman and Dr. Sasha Soykin, founding members of the Jewish Community Mental Health Initiative. 

“Thanks to my work with the ADL, in the wake of 10/7 and the rise of antisemitism, I was inspired to step up,” said Dr. Tara Liberman. “We organized a taskforce of psychologists that we trained in psychological first aid to provide virtual support groups at first to meet needs of Jewish students and faculty on campuses. Soon after, we heard from other Jewish communities that they needed support too. In just a few months, we had organized enough clinicians to facilitate 25 free virtual weekly support groups open to the public. Today, what began as informal response is now the Jewish Community Mental Health Initiative at the American Psychological Foundation.” 

Each year, ADL New York/New Jersey recognizes educators who have gone above and beyond to make their school communities No Place for Hate. ADL proudly recognized Dr. Steffany Baptiste, Assistant Principal at Fair Lawn High School, NJ, with the Gold Star Educator Award. 

Dr. Baptiste spent the first 19 years of her teaching career as a special education teacher in the Summit Public Schools and as an adjunct professor within the Department of Teaching and Learning at Montclair State University. In 2019, Dr. Baptiste decided to shift her passion for teaching, inclusion, and equity to her own town and became a special education teacher and club advisor at Fair Lawn High School (FLHS). Under her leadership, the No Place for Hate students and staff have fostered an environment at Fair Lawn High School of courageous conversations and efforts towards awareness and allyship. 

Dr. Rui Dionisio, Superintendent of Fair Lawn Public Schools, explained that the impact of the program has spread beyond the high school, with every school in the district now recognized as No Place for Hate. “The high school a few years ago started the No Place for Hate initiative with the ADL, and from there it just grew tremendously. We’ve had such a great opportunity to be able to expand it to all ten schools to impact almost 6000 students and 1200 staff, and it’s just had such a profound ripple effect throughout our community, that we’re so incredibly proud to be able to be part of such a wonderful initiative and partnership with ADL.” 

For the full list of schools designated No Place for Hate in the 2024-2025 school year, click here: https://nynj.adl.org/2024-2025-no-place-for-hateschools/.  

For more information on ADL’s No Place for Hate Program, click here: https://www.noplaceforhate.org/.  

 

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.   

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