How Are American Jews Faring in an Era of Rising Antisemitism?

Key Findings:

Antisemitism, which was once relatively uncommon in the United States compared to other parts of the world, has seen a resurgence in recent years. Jews in America are facing a new and heightened sense of unease as they experience physical assaults, vandalism, and verbal attacks on both a personal and institutional level. This rise in antisemitism has shattered the notion of safety and normalcy that many American Jews had enjoyed, and they now find themselves confronting challenges and vulnerabilities previously unfamiliar to them.

Occurrences of anti-Jewish hostility, such as the Crown Heights riots in 1991, the assassination of Rabbi Meir Kahane in 1990, the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in 2017, have shaken feelings of safety and security among American Jews. These incidents, along with mass shootings at synagogues and various brutal attacks, have contributed to a sense of vulnerability within the Jewish community. 

Acts of anti-Jewish violence, including assaults, vandalism, and desecration of Jewish sites, have become distressingly common. The lack of forceful public condemnation of these acts has further heightened Jewish anxiety, with many feeling that their lives are changing for the worse. A majority of American Jews believe that antisemitism has increased in recent years, leading some to hide their Jewish identity or limit their activities as a result.

American Jews face increasing unease due to street-level violence and radical changes in society. The erosion of values like openness, tolerance, and pluralism threatens the security of Jews in the West. America's alignment with core traditions is currently disrupted by right-wing populist nativism and left-wing political orthodoxy, with Jews caught in the middle and their success sometimes held against them. The polarized and partisan nature of politics, including identity politics, further marginalizes Jewish identity. 

Jews are unfairly linked to alleged sins of the Jewish state, vilified and accused of being loyal to Israel over the US. Hostile sentiments towards Jews, including accusations of dual loyalty and anti-Israel rhetoric, are increasingly prevalent in American cultural and political spheres. The ongoing culture wars leave many Jews feeling vulnerable and in need of navigating an uncertain and threatening landscape.

The culture clash in America has led to the emergence of opposing movements: the New American Confederacy or American neo-fascism on the right, and Woke or the New Puritanism on the left, accompanied by Black nationalism, Black supremacy, anti-Israel activism, and antisemitism. American Jews are significantly affected, with over half feeling less safe and experiencing various forms of antisemitism. Hate crimes targeting Jews make up a disproportionate percentage, and Jewish students on campuses often feel unsafe and hide their identity. Security measures for Jewish institutions have been increased, and a campaign is underway to further enhance security nationwide. 

The latest Pew Report on Jews in America 2020 indicates that 53%, or over half of Jews interviewed, say they feel less safe than they did five years ago. In addition, 51% report a personal encounter with antisemitism of one kind or another. In line with these findings, the most recent FBI report on hate crimes confirms that Jews are right to be concerned. Although they comprise at most a mere 2% of the American population, almost 60% of religion-bias hate crimes in America in 2020 targeted Jews. Furthermore, well-informed observers believe that many street-level assaults against Jews go unreported or are underreported. 

The future of American Jews depends on restraining present-day hostility and actively opposing rising hatred. Seeking alliances with other vulnerable minority groups and engaging with Israel is crucial to counter anti-Zionist antisemitism and maintain healthy US-Israel relations. Addressing these challenges requires dedicated individuals, fresh thinking, and proactive efforts as the problems will not fade away on their own.