The Anti-Defamation League recorded historic levels of anti-Semitic incidents in the United States last year

The Anti-Defamation League said on Thursday that anti-Semitic incidents in the United States “reached historic levels” last year, with 3,697 incidents – an average of 10 per day – and a 36% increase from 2021. The total included 91 bomb threats. targeting Jewish institutions, the group said.

The ADL said the numbers were the highest since it began tracking incidents in 1979. The league’s announcement noted ‘a rising trend of hatred and vitriol’ toward American Jews over the past five years.

The rise in anti-Semitic attacks contrasts with recent survey results showing that Jews are the most valued religious community in the United States.

Last week, the Pew Research Center said Jews had a net preference rate of 28% among adults surveyed last year.

According to Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the ADL, “the upsurge in organized white supremacy propaganda activity, brazen attacks on Orthodox Jews, a rapid escalation in bomb threats against Jewish institutions, and a significant increase in incidents in schools and on college campuses all contributed to the “high number” of anti-Semitic incidents last year.

New York, California, New Jersey, Florida and Texas accounted for 54% of reported incidents of anti-Semitic attacks, the ADL said.

Nationally, harassment accounted for most attacks, the group reported, with 2,298 incidents where Jews — or those perceived to be Jews — were targeted with anti-Semitic slurs, stereotypes or conspiracy theories , a 29% increase from the 1,776 such incidents in 2021. .

Vandalism against Jewish property rose 51% last year, with 1,288 reported incidents compared to 853 attacks in 2021.

College and university campuses saw a 41% increase in anti-Semitic activity last year, with more than 219 incidents on more than 130 campuses. Also in 2022, 494 anti-Semitic incidents took place in non-Jewish elementary and secondary schools, an annual increase of 49%.

Mr Greenblatt called the rise ‘deeply disturbing’ and said: ‘It is a reminder of the need for more targeted education efforts aimed at stamping out hate and teaching acceptance. Holocaust education is increasingly important.

Responding to the survey, two American Jewish leaders said additional steps could be taken to curb the increase in such incidents.

Julie Platt, president of the Jewish Federations of North America, told The Washington Times via email: “These alarming data confirm what our Jewish communities see, hear and feel every day. This is why Jewish federations invest so heavily in communal security and the fight against anti-Semitism, and continue to advocate for increased funding for nonprofit security grants.

The federal nonprofit Security Grants program totals $305 million in funding this fiscal year and is designed to help congregations and religious institutions install security measures to protect lives and property.

The defense arm of the Orthodox Union said in a statement that its community appears particularly vulnerable to attack.

Nathan Diamant, executive director of OU Advocacy’s lobbying arm, said, “The Orthodox Jewish community that openly displays their Judaism has been targeted at higher rates. We want to ensure that this factor is not overlooked as we fight for the right of our community to practice their faith freely and safely.