The selection of Lisa Katz, Chief Government Affairs Officer of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), as a "2026 Jewish Changemaker" by Congressman Mike Lawler marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle against localized Jew-hatred. Katz, who previously served as the Town Supervisor of New Castle, New York, has spent over a decade building formidable institutional barriers against hate by mobilizing local governments. Her elevation to this prestigious congressional recognition highlights the critical synergy between grassroots municipal initiatives and federal legislative efforts to protect Jewish communities. In an era marked by a historic surge in antisemitic incidents, her recognition serves as a testament to the power of unwavering moral leadership in public office.
The Foundations of Local Resistance
Lisa Katz's journey as a champion for the Jewish community began long before her national appointment at the Combat Antisemitism Movement in 2024. During her ten-year tenure in elected office within the town of New Castle in Westchester County, New York, she consistently prioritized the defense of civil rights and historical memory. Under her executive guidance, New Castle founded its pioneering Holocaust and Human Rights Committee, establishing a vital platform for education and community solidarity. She further demonstrated her commitment to proactive defense by leading New Castle to become the first municipality in Westchester County to officially adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism.
Her tenure was also defined by an unwavering refusal to compromise with institutional indifference or the normalization of anti-Jewish prejudice. A defining moment occurred in October 2023, when New Castle's entire Committee on Race, Equity, and Inclusion (CREI) resigned en masse after refusing to issue a statement denouncing antisemitism following the October 7 terrorist attacks by Hamas. When the advisory committee rescinded their agreed-upon statement to avoid using the word "antisemitism," Katz took a principled stand and asserted that their actions directly contradicted the core values of tolerance and understanding upheld by the town. This localized incident exposed a broader, disturbing trend within some diversity and equity frameworks that systematically exclude or minimize the unique threats faced by the Jewish community.
Key Milestones of Advocacy and Action
- Institutional IHRA Adoption: Under Katz's leadership, New Castle became the historic vanguard in Westchester County by formally adopting the IHRA working definition of antisemitism, establishing a clear baseline for identifying and countering hate speech.
- Uncompromising Principles: In October 2023, Katz oversaw the resolution of a municipal crisis by accepting the mass resignations of the town's equity committee after they repeatedly sought to omit antisemitism from their official statements regarding the October 7 atrocities.
- Municipal Mobilization: At CAM, Katz spearheads the North American Mayors and Municipal Leaders Association, directly coordinating with municipal executives to implement safety measures, educational initiatives, and hate-crime reporting standards across dozens of cities.
- Federal Recognition: Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY 17), a co-sponsor of the bipartisan Antisemitism Awareness Act, officially designated Lisa Katz as a 2026 Jewish Changemaker to honor her continuous contribution to Hudson Valley residents and national civil rights.
Combating Localized Antisemitism and Institutional Bias
The recognition of Lisa Katz as a 2026 Jewish Changemaker underscores a fundamental shift in how the fight against modern antisemitism must be conducted. While federal statutes and international treaties set critical legal frameworks, the actual enforcement of civil rights and the protection of Jewish citizens occur at the municipal level. Through her work with CAM, Katz has systematically targeted municipal leadership as the front line of defense, demonstrating that local ordinances and mayoral declarations are highly effective tools for safeguarding Jewish life. By establishing robust local policies, municipalities can fill the enforcement gaps that often leave Jewish communities vulnerable to targeted harassment, vandalism, and systemic exclusion.
Furthermore, Katz's leadership provides a crucial template for addressing the systemic flaws within contemporary administrative bodies. The mass resignation of the New Castle equity committee in 2023, covered extensively in local reporting by The Examiner News, revealed how easily diversity-oriented committees can succumb to ideological capture. By insisting that antisemitism be named and condemned explicitly, Katz refused to allow Jewish concerns to be erased under the guise of generalized equity frameworks. This steadfast defense of clarity is essential, as the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism relies on specific, concrete examples to prevent bad actors from masking raw bigotry as political commentary or social justice advocacy.
The National Implications of Municipal Mobilization
Ultimately, the work of Lisa Katz and the recognition bestowed upon her by Congressman Mike Lawler highlight the vital intersection of local governance and federal lawmaking. Congressman Lawler's legislative efforts, particularly his sponsorship of the Antisemitism Awareness Act, are reinforced when local leaders like Katz successfully implement these definitions on the ground. This cooperative model demonstrates that combating antisemitism is not merely a partisan talking point, but a coordinated civil rights campaign that requires active participation from every level of government. The official recognition of her efforts by the Combat Antisemitism Movement serves to validate this strategic framework, encouraging other municipal leaders to take a similarly proactive stance.
As antisemitism continues to morph into more virulent, institutionalized forms, the strategies pioneered by Katz will remain crucial. Her success proves that courageous leadership at the municipal level can trigger a cascading effect, influencing county, state, and national policy. By refusing to tolerate double standards and ensuring that Jewish residents are explicitly protected under local law, she has set a benchmark for public officials nationwide. Her legacy reminds us that defending democratic values and countering extremism requires continuous vigilance, absolute clarity of language, and the courage to make difficult decisions when fundamental principles of human rights are at stake.