Phildelphia, PA, April 1, 2014… The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents, issued today, details a total of 45 reported incidents in Pennsylvania and Delaware, an increase from the 38 incidents reported in 2012.
Of the 45 reported incidents, the Audit identified 31 cases of harassment, 13 cases of vandalism, and 1 physical assault. They include: An incident where a high school student was punched, spit on and called a “fat Jew”; an incident where a college freshman discovered two drawings on her dorm’s refrigerator – a swastika and a caricature of herself hanging from a noose: and, an incident where a patron at a salon was called a, “a motherf—— kike.”
“While we were spared a major tragedy this year, this does not minimize the incidents that were reported to our office” said Nancy K. Baron-Baer, ADL’s Interim Regional Director. “Anti-Semitism is vile, rankles the conscience, and has no place in civil society. We encourage the community to remain vigilant and bring incidents of anti-Semitism to our attention when they occur.”
Nationally, ADL reported a total of 751 incidents across the U.S. during the 2013 calendar year, representing a 19 percent decline from the 927 incidents reported during the same period in 2012. In 2013, anti-Semitic incidents were reported in 41 states and the District of Columbia.
“In the last decade we have witnessed a significant and encouraging decline in the number and intensity of anti-Semitic acts in America,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “The falling number of incidents targeting Jews is another indication of just how far we have come in finding full acceptance in society, and it is a reflection of how much progress our country has made in shunning bigotry and hatred.”
While the overall number of anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. decreased, ADL recorded increases in some states when compared with 2012, such as in Connecticut, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Additionally, continuing a consistent trend for many years, the states with the highest totals were those with large Jewish populations. Once again, New York and California topped the list. A full listing of state-by-state figures is available on the League’s web site.
Unsettling Rise in Anti-Semitic Assaults
While the national number of anti-Semitic incidents declined overall, one dark spot in the numbers was a significant increase in violent anti-Semitic assaults. The Audit recorded a total of 31 anti-Semitic assaults, including one in our region, on Jewish individuals or those perceived as Jewish in 2013, up from 17 in 2012.
“We should not minimize the fact that our region reported one anti-Semitic assault,” said Baron-Baer. “This assault, combined with the number of violent in-your-face assaults across our country, is a sobering reminder that, despite the overall decline in anti-Semitic incidents, there is still a subset of Americans who are deeply infected with anti-Semitism and who feel emboldened enough to act out their bigotry.”
Internet Hate A Factor, but Remains Unquantifiable
General anti-Jewish expressions on the Internet, while possibly playing a role in fomenting real-world anti-Semitism, are not counted for the purposes of the Audit unless they target a specific individual.
“The explosion of viral hate is impossible to quantify, but should not be ignored,” said Mr. Foxman. “The Internet provides racists and bigots with an outlet to reach a potential audience of millions, and we suspect that it has also led many to take their opinions online rather than leafleting entire neighborhoods. So that may have an impact on the Audit’s findings, which measure real world incidents as opposed to viral hate, which is impossible to quantify given its proliferation on the Internet and on social media.”
Selected Local Incidents in 2013: Anti-Semitic Assaults
Locally, ADL recorded 1 anti-Semitic assault on a Jewish individual in 2013. In 2012 there were no reported assaults.
- A Jewish student was punched, spit on and called a “fat Jew.”
Selected Local Incidents in 2013: Anti-Jewish Vandalism
Locally, the ADL Audit recorded 13 cases of anti-Semitic vandalism in 2013, down from 16 in 2012. Vandalism incidents are individually evaluated by ADL and are categorized as anti-Semitic based on the presence of anti-Semitic symbols or language; the identity of the perpetrator(s), if known; and the target of the vandalism and its proximity to Jewish homes, communities and institutions.
The 2013 Audit includes in its totals swastikas that targeted Jewish property or communal institutions. Swastikas targeting other minorities or those used out of context simply for shock value were not counted.
The following is a list of selected instances of anti-Semitic vandalism in 2013:
- Swastika burned into an individual’s lawn.
- Jewish individual had her mezuzah ripped from her door post and discovered swastikas in her apartment building’s elevator.
- Swastikas painted on the windows of a Jewish family’s car which was parked in their driveway.
- Philadelphia restaurant serving southern & Jewish comfort food defaced by swastikas.
Selected Local Incidents in 2013: Harassment, Threats and Events
Locally, the ADL Audit recorded 31 cases of anti-Semitic harassment in 2013, up from 22 in 2012. Incidents included verbal attacks and slurs against Jewish individuals (or individuals perceived to be Jewish); anti-Semitism conveyed in written or electronic communications, including anti-Semitic cyberbullying; and anti-Semitic speeches, picketing or events.
The following is a list of selected instances of anti-Semitic harassment in 2013:
- A customer at a salon was called a, “a motherf—— kike.”
- Store manager received emails from a former employee calling him a ‘low life Jew” and a “f—— Jew.”
- A Twitter page developed to harass students and faculty at a local high school featured the following tweet, “all Jews should be in the oven.”
- A woman was called a “f—— Jew” by a contractor when questioned about the quality of his work.
- Employee was told by their coworker that they do not like Jews. When the coworker discovered that the employee was Jewish he said, “You’re a Jew? Well you can’t be in our fourth reich,” while making seig heil salutes.
Selected Local Incidents in 2013: Anti-Semitic Incidents on Campus
Locally, ADL continues to receive complaints about anti-Semitic behavior on our campuses. These incidents include threats as well as verbal and written taunts promoting anti-Semitic stereotypes or evoking disturbing Holocaust themes.
The following is a list of selected anti-Jewish incidents that took place on campuses in 2013:
- A college freshman discovered two drawings on her dorm’s refrigerator – a swastika and a caricature of herself hanging from a noose.
- Swastikas on the whiteboard of a dorm room where a Jewish student resided
- “Jew” spray painted on a Jewish fraternity house
- Anti-Semitic graffiti, including Swastikas targeting a Jewish fraternity
- Jewish fraternity house damaged after verbal altercation with their neighbors. Neighbors called fraternity members “f—— Jews.”
Selected Local Incidents in 2013: Anti-Semitic Bullying Among Children & Teens
Locally, ADL continues to receive a troubling number of complaints about children, adolescents and teenagers engaging in anti-Semitic behavior, both on and off school grounds. These incidents include a physical assault, threats, and verbal and written taunts promoting anti-Semitic stereotypes or evoking disturbing Holocaust themes.
The following is a list of selected local incidents in 2013 that represent anti-Semitic bullying of children, adolescents and teenagers by their peers:
- Jewish student discovered swastikas drawn all over his homework by another student.
- Jewish student repeatedly called a “Jew” and shown images of swastikas by another student on the school bus.
- Jewish student called “stupid Jew”, “fat ass Jew”, and “filthy Jew” by a classmate.
- Student screamed “heil Hitler” at Jewish students.
- Student threw pennies at Jewish students.
- Anti-Semitic graffiti discovered in boy’s bathroom at a local high school. Graffiti included the word “Jews” with an “X” over it, a swastika, the word “Hitler” with a heart around it, the SS lightning bolt symbol, and the phrase “Anne Frankenstall.”
About the ADL Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents
The Audit identifies both criminal and non-criminal acts of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate propaganda, threats and slurs. Compiled using information provided by victims, law enforcement and community leaders and evaluated by ADL’s professional staff, the Audit provides an annual snapshot of one specific aspect of a nationwide problem while identifying possible trends or changes in the types of activity reported. This information assists ADL in developing and enhancing its programs to counter and prevent the spread of anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry. ADL has conducted the Audit annually in the U.S. since 1979.
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world’s leading organization fighting anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry. Click to learn more about how ADL challenges Anti-Semitism and Combats Hate. Follow us on Twitter: @ADLPhiladelphia