Long Island Survey Reveals Alarming Shift in Holocaust Education Views

Clear Facts

• Nearly one-third of Long Island residents surveyed believe Holocaust education should not be mandatory and that Jewish people should “move on,” according to a new McLaughlin Associates poll
• About 15% of respondents either believe the Nazi genocide has been “exaggerated” or refused to answer the question
• Jews represent 12% of New York City’s population but account for 55% of hate crime victims, with anti-Jewish incidents up 182% in January compared to the previous year

A newly released survey of Long Island residents has raised serious concerns about public attitudes toward Holocaust education and historical memory. The poll, conducted by national research firm McLaughlin Associates, surveyed approximately 400 residents in Nassau and Suffolk counties — the suburban area east of New York City.

The findings revealed that nearly one-third of respondents do not believe the Holocaust should be a mandatory part of school curricula and said Jewish people should “move on.” Additionally, about 15% of participants either believe the Nazi genocide has been “exaggerated” or chose not to answer.

The survey’s release coincided with the anniversary of the liberation of the Buchenwald concentration camp, one of the largest Nazi concentration camps on German soil.

Steven Krieger, a Long Island real estate developer who helped fund the study, emphasized the importance of understanding these attitudes.

“The survey is intended to provide a roadmap for all of us — regardless of faith or ethnicity — because indifference or ignorance of how the Holocaust occurred threatens everyone.”

Gloria Sesso, president of the Long Island Council for Social Studies, expressed shock at the results. She called them “inconceivable,” particularly the suggestion that Jews should “move on.”

She added that dismissing the Holocaust’s relevance in education is “irresponsible” and said the findings should serve as a wake-up call for teachers and educational leaders across the region.

The survey results come against a backdrop of rising antisemitic incidents in the New York area. Although Jews account for about 12% of New York City’s population, they are the targets of most hate crimes, according to the American Jewish Committee.

Between January and March, the NYPD recorded 143 hate crimes across the city, with 55% — 78 incidents — directed against Jewish individuals or communities. In January alone, 31 anti-Jewish incidents were reported, marking a 182% increase compared to the same time the previous year.

The findings raise troubling questions about historical education and the importance of preserving collective memory. As the generation of Holocaust survivors continues to age, the responsibility falls increasingly on educational institutions to maintain accurate historical records and ensure younger generations understand the consequences of unchecked hatred and government tyranny.

The survey highlights a critical challenge facing American education: how to effectively teach difficult historical truths in a way that resonates with students and communities. The Holocaust represents one of history’s clearest examples of what happens when government power combines with ideological extremism and dehumanization of targeted groups.

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