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Anti-Semitic Incidents in New Jersey are Third Highest in the Nation According to New ADL Report

  • April 30, 2019

Philadelphia, PA, April 30, 2019 … A new report released today by ADL (the “Anti-Defamation League”) reveals that 200 anti-Semitic incidents were documented across the state of New Jersey in 2018, the 3rd highest number of reported incidents anywhere in the nation.  While anti-Jewish activity in New Jersey declined 4% from the prior year, it remains 20% higher than the historic statewide average of 167 incidents per year, recorded since 1979.

This is the second straight year of above-average anti-Semitic activity in the state, and follows four consecutive years of double-digit increases in the state from 2014-2017. New Jersey trailed only California (341) and New York (340) in total number of incidents in 2018.

“While we are moderately encouraged to see a slight dip in anti-Jewish activity across New Jersey last year, we remain deeply concerned at the high levels of anti-Semitism in the Garden State,” said Nancy K. Baron-Baer, Regional Director of ADL’s Philadelphia Region, which serves southern New Jersey. “We cannot allow these elevated numbers to become the new normal in New Jersey. Now is not the time to let up – we need our elected officials, law enforcement officers, faith leaders and community members to continue pushing back against anti-Semitism.”

In New Jersey in 2018, ADL recorded:

  • 94 incidents of harassment, compared to 95 incidents in 2017;
  • 104 incidents of vandalism, compared to 110 incidents from 2017;
  • 2 physical assaults, compared to 3 incidents in 2017.

The Tree of Life Synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh – the deadliest anti-Semitic attack in American history, which claimed the lives of 11 Jewish congregants and injured 7 others –sparked a surge in reports of anti-Semitic activity in the last quarter of the year. In the 66 days between the tragedy and the end of the year, New Jersey recorded 65 incidents – 76% more than in the same period in 2017.  Prior to Pittsburgh, the state experienced an anti-Semitic incident once every 2.2 days; after the shooting, ADL recorded one incident nearly every day – more than doubling the previous rate.

“We cannot forget that these numbers represent real people whose lives have been deeply impacted by anti-Jewish hate,” continued Ms. Baron-Baer. “These statistics cannot even begin to capture the pain inflicted upon the victims, their families, their neighbors and the global Jewish community. That is why ADL believes that even one hate incident is too many. We, as a society, must work harder to protect individuals and communities from the truly devastating effects of bigotry.”

Nationally, ADL recorded 1,879 anti-Semitic incidents in 2018, making it the third-highest year on record. This included a 105% surge in anti-Semitic assaults to 39, affecting 59 victims. ADL also recorded 98 acts of targeted anti-Semitic harassment online, an increase of 15% over the prior year.

Visit ADL’s H.E.A.T. (Hate, Extremism, Anti-Semitism, Terrorism) Map to learn more about anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey in 2018.

SELECTED NEW JERSEY INCIDENTS IN 2018

  • Gloucester County: A Jewish middle school student discovered that classmates were texting each other anti-Semitic and Holocaust jokes at her expense. (January)
  • Burlington County: A teacher harassed a Jewish student in class with anti-Semitic remarks and a “Heil Hitler” salute. (January)
  • Cumberland County: A Jewish couple was told they “should have been stuck in the oven of a Nazi concentration camp” by a building manager. (February)
  • Burlington County: A Jewish woman received anti-Semitic and threatening voice messages from her ex-boyfriend, calling her a “Dirty Jew“ and saying “I won’t stop until you’re dead!” (April)
  • Gloucester County: A woman called a synagogue and left a threatening anti-Semitic voicemail. (August)
  • Camden County: Anti-Semitic and racist fliers attributed to the Loyal White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan were distributed to private residences in a community with a large Jewish population. (October)
  • Atlantic County: A student at a state university discovered a swastika carved into the front door of his off-campus residence. (November)

HOW ADL IS RESPONDING

ADL pursues a comprehensive approach to address anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry, including training law enforcement, educating youth and advocating to elected officials.

ADL trains 15,000 law enforcement officials each year on extremism, terrorism, hate crime and implicit bias, including 1,500 officers in eastern Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey and Delaware.

ADL is the largest anti-bias educator in the nation, impacting over 1.5 million children in 2018. In our region, over 300,000 youth participate in ADL’s No Place for Hate® program annually. Every day, ADL develops rigorous and standards-aligned educational resources on anti-Semitism and all forms of bias, and shares them with thousands of educators and families in the region.

ADL also works to empower the public to fight anti-Semitism and all forms of hate. For nine years, ADL has hosted the Walk Against Hate, bringing thousands of people from across the region together to celebrate diversity and challenge bigotry. This year’s Walk Against Hate will take place on May 19, 2019 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. More information can be found at www.walkagainsthate.org.

ADL has been a longstanding partner in the effort to ensure the safety of Jewish community organizations and recently announced that former Homeland Security secretaries Michael Chertoff and Jeh Johnson will co-chair a new Community Safety and Security Task Force convened by ADL and the Secure Community Network (SCN), the homeland security and safety initiative of The Jewish Federations of North America and the Conference of President of Major American Jewish Organizations. The task force will work to enhance the safety, security and resilience of religious communities.

POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS

In response to the high levels of anti-Semitic incidents recorded over the past few years, ADL has made the following policy recommendations:

  • Speak out against anti-Semitism: In the aftermath of the deadliest anti-Semitic incident in American history, public officials and civic leaders must use their bully pulpits to speak out against anti-Semitism and all forms of hate and extremism.
  • Take legislative action: Congress and the New Jersey Legislature should hold hearings on hate crimes, the rise of extremist groups and the proliferation of extremist propaganda, and support legislation that improves prevention and response to domestic terrorism.
  • Improve reporting and investigation of hate-related incidents: Policymakers should support efforts to provide law enforcement with tools and training to proactively and reactively counter hate crimes. Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies should also improve their procedures for hate crime data collection and reporting.
  • Prioritize anti-bias education: School districts should promote anti-bias and bullying prevention programs in elementary and secondary schools. The Governor, New Jersey Department of Education, state legislators and mayors should increase funding to promote inclusive school climates, including investing in anti-bias training and curriculum.

ABOUT THE AUDIT

The ADL Audit includes 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, partner organizations and the media, and evaluated by ADL staff, the Audit provides a regular snapshot of one specific aspect of a nationwide problem while identifying possible trends or changes in the types of activity reported. ADL has released its annual Audit since 1979. This information assists ADL in developing and enhancing its programs to counter and prevent the spread of anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry.

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ADL is a leading anti-hate organization. Founded in 1913 in response to an escalating climate of anti-Semitism and bigotry, its timeless mission is to protect the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of hate with the same vigor and passion. ADL is the first call when acts of anti-Semitism occur. A global leader in exposing extremism, delivering anti-bias education and fighting hate online, ADL’s ultimate goal is a world in which no group or individual suffers from bias, discrimination or hate. More at www.adl.org and on Twitter: @ADLPhiladelphia