Jewish leaders and elected officials gathered in West Hempstead Thursday to announce a new antisemitism task force - which will meet to identify the causes of hate, and discuss the best ways to combat it.

Earlier this year, the Anti-Defamation League reported that 178 antisemitic incidents took place on Long Island in 2023, a jump of 134%.

Advocates believe this task force can make a difference by looking at factors such as how children are taught and the location of these antisemitic incidents.