Jewish donors behind NYU building targeted with swastika flag ‘horrified’ by hateful act

The family whose name adorns the NYU campus building where a swastika flag was flown said Friday they were “horrified” by the display of antisemitic hate.

The Steinhardt family also called for justice after the purple flag, which included “NYU” and the Star of David next to the Nazi symbol, was raised on a flagpole over the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development on Wednesday.

“Our family is horrified by what’s happening. We hope the courageous and capable NYPD will catch these criminals,” the relatives said in a statement to The Post.

“The best way to fight hate is for NYU and all Jews to double down on Jewish pride.”

The brazen act against the building dedicated to philanthropists Michael and Judy Steinhardt reportedly happened during the elite university’s annual Grad Alley block party – sparking outrage from members of the school’s Jewish community and elected Big Apple pols.

“It was very shocking,” Adina Fridman, a rising senior who is NYU Hillel’s president, told The Post on Friday.

“There’s a lot of outrage – and I share that frustration and anger. 

“This hateful act is meant to instill fear and needs to be taken seriously,” she added.

There have been no arrests so far and the investigation is ongoing, the school and NYPD officials said in short statements Friday afternoon.

The police force’s Hate Crime Task Force is part of the probe, law enforcement sources said.

The Steinhardt School received its name after the billionaire Wall Street financier and his spouse donated $10 million to NYU in 2001, according to the school’s website.

The Steinhardts have also devoted a considerable amount of their charity work to several Jewish causes over the years, telling Bedford and New Canaan Magazine last year, “We are devoted to Jewish life and values, but we are not religious.”

Michael Steinhardt is the founder of the Birthright Israel program — which provides free 10-day heritage trips to Israel for young Jewish adults.

Last October, the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life, said it was winding down operations at the non-profit and only fulfilling prior commitment through 2028 while not taking on new initiatives.  

Fridman, the Hillel leader, said the flag raising is the latest instance of “antisemitism being normalized.”

“This is beyond political expression – this boils down to hate,” she said. 

Additional reporting by Joe Marino.