Gov. signs Holocaust education and survivor support legislation package

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Governor Hochul signed a package of legislation on Wednesday aimed at Holocaust education and survivor support.

One of the new requirements is that schools be surveyed to ensure a high-quality Holocaust education experience.

Also, a list will now be published by the Department of Financial Services for financial institutions that waive fees for holocaust reparation payments.

This is in an effort to address high poverty levels for survivors of the horrific event.

The governor says 40 percent of survivors in the state live in poverty.

“We are obligated to honor but also to remember, to truly remember, that these are not just statistics or just names on a wall – they’re true human beings. While it may look different today that hatred is still out there and it hasn’t gone away. That’s what’s so hurtful it’s still targeting Jews across the world and yes in our own state,” said Gov. Hochul.

The governor says there have been 570 anti-semitic crimes against Jewish New Yorkers this year alone, and the state leads the nation according to the anti-defamation league.

She hopes new education requirements will lessen these numbers over time.