By: Fern Sidman

New FBI data released this month paints a stark picture of rising antisemitism in the United States, with VIN News reporting that 2024 saw a record 1,938 anti-Jewish hate crimes nationwide. That figure represents 16% of all hate crimes and nearly 70% of all religious-based offenses, a surge that Jewish leaders describe as both deeply alarming and a profound warning for American society at large.

The raw numbers translate to more than five antisemitic incidents every single day—ranging from synagogue vandalism and violent assaults to threats, harassment, and intimidation. For a community that comprises just 2% of the U.S. population, the disproportionate targeting has triggered calls for urgent national action.

Antisemitism in America is not new, but the VIN News coverage on Tuesday of the FBI report illustrates how unprecedented these levels are. In the 1930s, signs declaring “No Jews Allowed” could still be found in resorts and neighborhoods across the country. In the 1950s and 1960s, Jewish Americans often encountered quotas limiting their admission to elite universities or professional firms.

Yet since the postwar era, incidents of antisemitic violence largely declined, especially after the civil rights movement helped codify anti-discrimination protections. For decades, antisemitic activity was mostly confined to fringe groups, extremist sects, or isolated hate incidents.

What distinguishes today’s surge, analysts note, is its mainstream visibility and normalization. From college campuses to social media platforms, antisemitic rhetoric has entered spaces once seen as insulated from such extremism. The report at VIN News highlighted how this new wave is not restricted to isolated radicals but often emerges within progressive movements, online activism, and mainstream debates surrounding Israel.

Synagogues, long at the heart of American Jewish life, have increasingly become targets. In November 2024, a synagogue in Los Angeles reported swastikas spray-painted across its entrance. Earlier in the year, bomb threats forced evacuations at multiple Jewish day schools in Florida and New York. Congregations are now spending a significant portion of their budgets on private security and reinforced doors.

The ADL reported more than 350 synagogue-related incidents in 2024 alone, ranging from threats to outright assaults, a number echoed in the FBI’s broader statistics.

Universities have become another flashpoint. Following the October 7, 2023 Hamas massacre in Israel, Jewish students at Ivy League and state campuses alike have reported escalating harassment. At Columbia University, students described being shouted at with chants of “From the river to the sea” while wearing yarmulkes or displaying Israeli flags.

VIN News has covered the Justice Department’s investigations into antisemitic encampments at UCLA and UC Berkeley, where Jewish students said they were physically blocked from campus areas or subjected to online harassment campaigns.

Beyond vandalism and harassment, physical violence has escalated. The FBI data, cited in the VIN News report, includes dozens of assaults reported across New York, New Jersey, and California. In one high-profile case, a Jewish man was beaten in Brooklyn after leaving a pro-Israel rally. Another incident in Chicago saw two Jewish teens assaulted on their way home from Hebrew school.

These assaults, while less frequent than vandalism, carry devastating psychological effects, reinforcing the sense of insecurity across Jewish communities.

The FBI’s figures show antisemitism far outpaces other religious hate crimes. The VIN News report noted that Jews are targeted at seven times the rate of Muslims and far more than any other faith group. Of the 1,938 antisemitic crimes recorded, 58% involved intimidation or harassment, 24% vandalism, and 18% physical violence or assault.

In response, Jewish organizations have sounded the alarm. ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt urged Congress to strengthen hate crime reporting laws and expand funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which helps synagogues and schools install cameras and hire guards.

AJC CEO Ted Deutch described the moment as a “perfect storm of hate,” citing political polarization, online radicalization, and public mistrust of institutions as aggravating factors. Both leaders, quoted in the VIN News report, stressed that antisemitism is not just a Jewish issue but a societal warning sign.

Comparisons with Europe highlight both parallels and differences. France and Germany have also reported record levels of antisemitic incidents since 2023. Yet, the report at VIN News noted that in the U.S., the spike is sharper relative to population size. American Jews face a scale of hostility that exceeds their demographic representation by an alarming margin.

Federal and state governments have begun to act, though many Jewish leaders say the response lags behind the threat. Congress is debating stronger hate crime reporting mandates, while state legislatures consider expanding penalties for antisemitic attacks.

The VIN News report emphasized bipartisan support for expanding the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which distributed more than $300 million in 2024 to protect houses of worship. Still, the demand far outstripped supply, with hundreds of synagogues left without grants.

Despite the fear, Jewish communities are responding with resilience. The report at VIN News described synagogues forming volunteer security teams, partnering with local churches and mosques to promote unity, and launching educational initiatives in public schools. In several cities, interfaith marches have been organized to publicly reject antisemitism.

For many Jews, the statistics translate into daily anxieties. Parents interviewed by VIN News described checking synagogue doors multiple times before services. College students reported hiding Star of David necklaces to avoid confrontation. Yet alongside fear, there is also defiance: Jewish leaders emphasize the importance of visibility, with many encouraging congregants to attend services and community events in even greater numbers.

Experts stress that antisemitism rarely stops with Jews. As the VIN News report pointed out, it often signals broader democratic breakdown, serving as a “canary in the coal mine” for intolerance. The FBI itself noted that antisemitic hate crimes are often accompanied by other forms of extremist violence.

The record surge in antisemitism documented by the FBI and reported by VIN News underscores a critical challenge for American society. Jewish leaders are warning that urgent steps must be taken—not only to protect Jews but to safeguard the fabric of democracy itself.

For now, with five antisemitic incidents every day, Jewish Americans are living on high alert, hoping that increased awareness and strong policy measures can begin to turn the tide.