The Jewish Federation of Ulster County (UCJF), New York, launched an anti-Semitism hotline on [INSERT DATE] that will now be available 24/7 to field calls and respond to anti-Semitic incidents in the county. The hotline is receiving the technical and logistical support of several groups including the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law (LDB). The hotline is one of the first of its kind and will serve as a vital tool in the fight against anti-Semitism in Ulster County. Victims and witnesses to anti-Semitic acts can now report incidents to UCJF by calling a local phone number or filling out an online form on the organization’s website. UCFJ personnel will be fielding calls 24-hours a day. Reports will be referred to Duty Officers at the Secure Community Network (SCN), and once verified, turned over to law enforcement. LDB will be advising victims of hate and evaluate taking legal action on a case by case basis. Other groups will engage government agencies and coordinate media responses when incidents arise. The hotline has long been in the works. According to Rondavid Gold, UCJF President, “we have long planned developing some mechanism to appropriately respond to anti-Semitic incidents in our area. A few weeks ago, the New Paltz Police investigated a Swastika graffiti incident in Hasbrouck Park, and promptly reported it to our Federation office, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and a local Rabbi. The incident hastened our decision to launch the Hotline now.” Brandeis Center is proud to take part in the initiative. “We view our role supporting the UCJF anti-Semitism hotline as a natural outgrowth of our mission to protect the civil and human rights of the Jewish People and promote justice for all,” said Kenneth L. Marcus, Brandeis Center founder and chairman. UCJF believes efforts like these are necessary measures to respond to and ultimately prevent anti-Semitic acts in the future. “Anti-Semitism is a real-world threat that history teaches us can rear its ugly head, any time and any place. It would be imprudent to wait until a serious incident occurs here to build the infrastructure necessary to prevent a tragedy,” Mr. Gold concluded.