NEW YORK — A Holocaust museum in New York City will offer free educational field trips to eighth-grade students in public schools as part of a program announced Thursday aimed at combating antisemitism.

The program will allow up to 85,000 students at traditional public schools and charter schools to tour Manhattan’s Museum of Jewish Heritage over the next three years, starting this fall. New York City, the largest school district in the nation, serves more than a million students. Organizers say the museum and the new program have the capacity to host up to one-third of the district’s eighth graders each year.

City Council member Julie Menin said she raised the idea with the museum after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, in an effort to combat rising antisemitism in the U.S. Incidents targeting Jewish and Muslim Americans have been recorded across the country since the Israel-Hamas war erupted, ranging from offensive graffiti to violence.

“We needed a proactive approach to combat this hatred at its roots,” Menin, a Democrat and daughter of a Holocaust survivor, said in a statement. “That’s why I approached the Museum of Jewish Heritage with the vision of a universal field trip program.”

The Museum of Jewish Heritage, located in Battery Park City, is dedicated to educating people of all ages about the Holocaust and Jewish culture. The museum’s exhibitions and programs provide historical context, personal narratives, and artifacts that help visitors understand the impact of the Holocaust and the importance of remembering its lessons.

The initiative to provide free educational trips is part of a broader effort to address the alarming rise in antisemitic incidents. According to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), there has been a significant increase in antisemitic acts in recent years, including vandalism, harassment, and assaults. Education is seen as a critical tool in fostering understanding and preventing hatred and bigotry.

The program will include guided tours of the museum’s exhibits, interactive workshops, and discussions designed to engage students in conversations about tolerance, human rights, and the consequences of hatred. By exposing students to the history and experiences of Jewish people during the Holocaust, the program aims to build empathy and awareness.

Teachers and students alike are expected to benefit from this initiative. Educators will receive resources and support to prepare their classes for the visits, ensuring that the experience is both educational and impactful. The museum’s staff will work closely with schools to tailor the program to meet educational standards and curricular goals.

In addition to the educational trips, the Museum of Jewish Heritage offers a variety of resources and programs for schools and educators, including professional development workshops, online resources, and traveling exhibitions. These efforts are part of the museum’s mission to serve as a living memorial to the Holocaust and to educate future generations about the dangers of intolerance and discrimination.

The collaboration between the museum and New York City public schools represents a significant step in the fight against antisemitism. By providing students with the opportunity to learn about the Holocaust in a meaningful and engaging way, the program hopes to inspire a new generation committed to combating hatred and promoting justice.