Josh Kramer

Every day as a Jewish Member of Congress is another day of receiving these types of threats. For those asking "why is no one holding town halls?"...these are the people waiting for a planned event.

I spent sixteen years in government. In the Florida State Senate, we became the first state in America to stand up to Iran’s brutal regime by cutting off state investments in companies helping Iran develop nuclear weapons. How did we get everyone onboard? Because Iranian-made IEDs were killing our brave soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. Democrats and Republicans spoke with one voice when the legislation passed unanimously. In Congress, it was the same. We passed sanctions - together - to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear weapons program. We overwhelmingly condemned the regime’s repression of women, its persecution of the Baha’i and other minorities, its repeated violation of the human rights of its citizens, and its support for terrorism around the world. Again and again, Republicans and Democrats stood side by side calling out the regime, its terrorist IRGC, and the proxy terror groups it funded at the expense of its own people. Together, we remembered the victims, from our Marine Barracks in Beirut to our personnel in Khobar Towers in Saudi Arabia; from Buenos Aires to Burgas, and the hundreds of brave American soldiers killed by Iran-backed militias and weaponry. So many Americans killed. So many innocent civilians murdered. All by this radically dangerous regime. We held hearings about these threats over and over again. But it was never just about the extent of the horrors spread by Iran. It was also personal. I represented Bob Levinson, the longest-held American hostage in history. I came to know his family as they fought tirelessly to bring Bob home from Iran, inspiring everyone who met them. Administrations of both parties tried. None succeeded. Over 4,700 days. As their Member of Congress, I desperately wanted to welcome Bob home. But he died in Iranian captivity. Throughout my sixteen years in office, there were always colleagues on my right and my left who stood together to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons because we understood what this regime was capable of. Kidnapping. Murder. Terror. Today we live in a time of intense partisanship. That’s the environment in which this war is happening. But any time an American President makes the sobering decision to use force, it is appropriate and necessary for Congress to exercise its oversight. I certainly did so during Republican and Democratic administrations. Even as this debate plays out, we all need to acknowledge the history of this dangerous Iranian regime and its threat to the world. The Supreme Leader and his forces have brought suffering to their own people, chaos to the region, and violence to the world. The blood of American soldiers and innocent civilians from across the globe is on their hands. The blood of the tens of thousands protesters they recently slaughtered is not even dry. So let’s pause for a moment to stand together - To acknowledge that the world is safer without the Ayatollah’s terror. To stand with the Iranian people in their pursuit of freedom. To support the brave Americans serving in harm’s way. For all of our political disagreements, we all share a stake in the success of this moment and this war. That’s what I’m hoping and praying for. God bless America.

Amb.@KSzczerski met today with representatives of @AJCGlobal to discuss the current state of international relations and the future of multilateralism.

For the second day in a row, Gravesend Park and a playground in Brooklyn, where many Jewish children and families gather, have been defaced with dozens of swastikas. This hateful vandalism is meant to intimidate and harm. We thank @NYPDHateCrimes for their investigation and urge that those responsible be swiftly identified and held accountable. Antisemitism has no place in our communities.

As AJC's Senior Vice President of Policy and Political Affairs @FishmanJulie noted in @JTANews, protecting communities requires looking honestly at what laws exist—and where they fall short. We’re grateful to @GovKathyHochul for taking this seriously and committing real resources to strengthen hate and bias crime response, protect at-risk institutions—like synagogues—and confront antisemitism on campuses across New York in the 2026 State of the State address. jta.org/2026/01/13/pol…

This rally took place last night in Kew Garden Hills, Queens, a heavily Jewish neighborhood with many schools and synagogues. There is no ambiguity here. This is support of a terrorist organization. This cannot be normalized or excused. Truly reprehensible.

This is the worrisome state of New York City: Yesterday, supporters of a terror group responsible for the murder of thousands of Jews "protested" in front of a NYC synagogue. It is unacceptable that, in the city home to the nation's largest Jewish population, Hamas' supporters feel emboldened to openly intimidate Jews. We thank the leaders who have forcefully condemned this vile act of hatred, and call on those who have not to add their voices. Local, state, and national leaders must take concrete steps to protect the Jewish community.

Read our joint statement on Mayor Mamdani's executive actions with @JCRCNY, @AJCGlobal, @ADL and @ADL_NYNJ, @AgudahNews, @OrthodoxUnion, and the New York Board of Rabbis.

Kudos to Council Member @EricDinowitzNYC on this very strong and clear message about how the incoming Mayor can stand up for Jewish students in CUNY schools!

What happened last night outside the Park East Synagogue is disgusting. Antisemites screaming "Death to the IDF” and "globalize the intifada" is a call to violence against Jewish people. Tomorrow will be six months since Sarah Milgrim z”l and Yaron Lischinsky z”l were murdered in an attack fueled by this kind of rhetoric. Every leader, including every politician, must condemn this dangerous language unequivocally and forcefully. Now!

In this episode, AJC New York Director @JoshuaLKramer addresses concerns over New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Listen as Kramer highlights fears over rising antisemitism in New York and outlines AJC’s plan to engage the Mayor-elect on combating hate crimes while remaining vigilant against policies that could target Israel. ajc.org/news/podcast/z…

Thank you Mayor-Elect Mamdani for standing up against this instance of antisemitic graffiti. As you've said many times, we are facing a huge wave of antisemitism in this city and around the world. Please continue to use your platform to stand against antisemitism of every sort.

In an open letter to Mayor-elect @ZohranKMamdani, AJC New York Director @JoshuaLKramer minces no words: Mamdani‘s administration has “a non-negotiable responsibility: to protect Jewish safety… and affirm through deeds—not only words—that Jewish life is an inseparable part of this city’s identity.” We will remain vigilant and speak out boldly when conscience demands it. ajc.org/news/a-letter-…

This is a disgusting and heartbreaking act of antisemitism, and it has no place in our beautiful city. As Mayor, I will always stand steadfast with our Jewish neighbors to root the scourge of antisemitism out of our city.

I am deeply saddened to share the passing of Rabbi Alvin Kass, our Chief Chaplain, and one of the longest-serving members of the New York City Police Department. Rabbi Kass joined the NYPD in 1966, at the age of 30, becoming the youngest chaplain in the Department’s history. Nearly six decades later, he remained its spiritual heart — a source of strength, guidance, and faith for generations of police officers and their families. A U.S. Air Force veteran and Columbia graduate, Rabbi Kass devoted his life to service, to this city, and to the women and men of the NYPD. He comforted the grieving, counseled the troubled, and reminded all of us of the deeper purpose in what we do. He was among the first to respond after 9/11, consoling the families of the 23 officers we lost that day. And for more than half a century, he stood beside our members through moments of tragedy and triumph alike. At every Police Academy graduation, Rabbi Kass offered his familiar blessing — a prayer that New York be “a place where people of every race, religion, color, and creed can pursue their individual destinies untrammeled, unafraid, and in obedience to Thy will.” Today, that prayer belongs to all of us. And as we carry his words forward, we know he will still be watching over the city and the Department he loved. His loss is immeasurable. His example is everlasting. May his memory be a blessing.

Two US citizens' remains - Omer Neutra & Itay Chen - are still held by Hamas. Their families live with unimaginable pain, unable to lay their loved ones to rest. This is unacceptable. We must keep demanding their return so the families can finally get the closure they deserve.

Read our statement on our ongoing concerns about New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s continued use of problematic rhetoric as it relates to Israel and Jews. ajc.org/news/ajc-expre…

🧵Tonight is NYC’s first general election mayoral debate. With 1.3 million Jews calling New York City home - and antisemitic hate at record levels - the next mayor’s stance on Jewish rights and safety matters. Here are some questions we hope @NBCNewYork will consider asking at tonight’s debate. ⬇️

Today we met with UK's Chargé d'Affaires to the USA, James Roscoe, on the sidelines of the UNGA. We expressed our profound disappointment over the UK's decision to prematurely recognize a Palestinian state, agreed on the need to forcefully counter the surge in antisemitism -- in Britain and globally -- and encouraged Western solidarity in blocking Iranian military nuclear ambitions and defending Ukraine against Russian aggression.

The International Association of Genocide Scholars (IAGS) recently passed a resolution falsely accusing Israel of genocide. AJC’s @DrSaraEBrown, a respected genocide scholar and current IAGS member, is speaking out against this resolution, which she says weaponizes the field of genocide studies to promote a false and harmful narrative about Israel. Academic institutions and professional associations must uphold standards of rigor, neutrality, and open discourse, especially when addressing complex global conflicts.