PROVIDENCE โ The Combat Antisemitism Movement has launched a Mayors Advisory Board to help U.S. and North American cities respond to a surge in antisemitic incidents and to implement municipal policies that protect Jewish residents. The advisory body is chaired by Mayor Brett Smiley of Providence and includes mayors from Florida, California, Georgia, Michigan, and elsewhere.
The board will guide CAMโs national municipal strategy, advise on best practices, and advance the Municipal Antisemitism Action Index, the groupโs signature, measurable framework for city policy and response. Members will also mentor other municipal leaders to replicate successful programs and scale proven protections for Jewish communities.
Lisa Katz, CAMโs chief government affairs officer, said municipal leadership is essential because local officials are โon the frontlines when hate threatens our communities.โ Katz added that the board will push cities โbeyond statements to concrete actions that protect residents, promote unity, and send a clear message that antisemitism has no place in our cities or towns.โ
Mayor Smiley, who will chair the board, framed the initiative as a practical response to an urgent problem. He said Providenceโs Jewish neighbors have felt increasingly targeted and that the new advisory body will develop strategies that โconfront hate with education, dialogue, and action.โ The group held its inaugural meeting on September 2 and will play a central role at CAMโs 2025 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism in New Orleans, scheduled for December 2 to 4.
The inaugural membership includes: Mayor Margaret Brown (Weston, Florida); Mayor Alix Desulme (North Miami, Florida); Mayor Marcus Muhammad (Benton Harbor, Michigan); Mayor Sharona Nazarian (Beverly Hills, California); Mayor Rusty Paul (Sandy Springs, Georgia); Mayor Larisa Svechin (Sunny Isles Beach, Florida); Mayor Howard Weinberg (Aventura, Florida); and Mayor Vince Williams (Union City, Georgia), alongside Chair Brett Smiley. The cohort is designed to represent diverse municipal profiles and geographic regions.
CAM positions the advisory board as part of a broader municipal movement. The organization says it now unites more than 950 partner organizations and hundreds of thousands of individuals worldwide to fight antisemitism through policy, education, and community partnerships. The municipal index and summit model are intended to turn political will into measurable local changes, such as reporting mechanisms, school safety measures, community outreach, and law enforcement cooperation.
Supporters of the board point to hard data showing why local action matters. The Anti-Defamation Leagueโs 2024 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents recorded more antisemitic incidents in the United States in 2024 than any year in its tracking history, and follow-up surveys indicate many Jewish Americans now view antisemitism as part of daily life. CAM and allied organizations say municipal leaders must act quickly to blunt threats on streets, campuses, and online.
Municipal responses can be immediate and practical. CAMโs Municipal Antisemitism Action Index offers cities a checklist of policies and programs they can adopt, ranging from incident tracking and public education to prosecutor and police training. By mentoring mayors and sharing real-world tools and templates, CAM seeks to shorten the learning curve for cities that have not yet developed a comprehensive municipal response.
Pro-Israel and Jewish organizations welcomed the advisory board as a necessary step to protect Jewish residents and preserve civic harmony. They urged mayors to pair symbolic proclamations with enforceable policies and to prioritize clear lines of reporting and support for victims. CAM officials said the advisory board will help translate those calls into municipal ordinances, school protocols, and community partnerships.
The creation of the Mayors’ Advisory Board also signals a broader shift in how Jewish safety is being defended in North America. With antisemitic incidents at historic highs, advocates say municipal leaders are now recognized as key first responders. CAMโs initiative aims to equip those leaders with the tools, peer support, and political cover they need to act decisively.
This article is based on verified information from the Combat Antisemitism Movement press release and organization web pages, the 2025 North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism materials, and Anti-Defamation League reporting on antisemitic incidents.