March 14, 2025 — Cincinnati
The following column originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer.
In a nation that prides itself on religious freedom, a disturbing trend is emerging − American Jews are increasingly feeling the need to hide their identity. That troubling fact is made clear in the just-released State of Antisemitism in America 2024 Report from the American Jewish Committee.
For the first time in the six years that AJC has conducted this survey of American Jews, a majority (56%) report changing their behavior out of fear of antisemitism, with 40% avoiding publicly wearing or displaying things that might identify them as a Jew. This number was just 26% a year ago.
That could mean deciding whether to wear a yarmulke or a Star of David necklace. Or maybe it’s keeping that pro-Israel t-shirt in the drawer before heading to the gym. You may not think twice about what you wear before you go out in the morning. Many Jews don’t have that luxury.
The AJC report, the first analysis of the impact of antisemitism on American Jews and U.S. adults during the full year following the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, shows that 90% of American Jews believe antisemitism has increased in the U.S. since that horrific day we saw the murder, torture, and kidnapping of more than 1,200 people.
The Hamas attacks were a collective gut punch for Jews, one that is still being acutely felt as we wait for the remaining hostages to be released. And while antisemitism had already been on the rise in this country, it surged to alarming levels following Oct. 7. Seventy-seven percent of Jewish Americans feel less safe living as a Jewish person in the U.S. because of the Hamas attacks. This widespread Jew hatred has only amplified feelings of isolation for our community.
We have seen how that hate has played out in the Tristate, where Jewish events have been disrupted, cemeteries vandalized, and hateful displays of graffiti and extremist propaganda are found throughout our neighborhoods. The entire Cincinnati community − and the country − should be alarmed that one-third (33%) of American Jews reported being the personal target of antisemitism − in person or virtually − at least once over the last year.
Such incidents highlight a growing sense of vulnerability among American Jews. But there is actually some good news to be found in the AJC report: We have allies.
The AJC report found nine in 10 U.S. adults say antisemitism affects society as a whole and that everyone is responsible for combating it, and 34% have spoken out against antisemitism. Also, even as we continue to hear and see vile anti-Israel rhetoric, 85% believe the statement “Israel has no right to exist” is antisemitic. This especially stands out to me in the wake of the attack by Hamas, whose charter calls for the annihilation of Israel and all the world’s Jews.
Thankfully, the majority of U.S. adults (69%) have heard and know the term “antisemitism.” That means they can better help their Jewish friends and neighbors confront it when they see it. Of the 39% of the general public who saw antisemitism, 70% said they saw it online and on social media − the place where American Jews also encounter anti-Jewish hate at alarming rates. That is why we need everyone to follow the adage, if you see something, say something.
Nearly seven in 10 (69%) American Jews have experienced antisemitism online, including content directed at them. Twenty percent felt physically threatened by these digital encounters. We need help combating and eliminating this hate from our online spaces. Don’t hesitate to report it. Companies like Meta, X, and Google also must do better at understanding antisemitism and be more aggressive in tackling this problem. Commitments to free speech and stemming the flow of hate are not mutually exclusive.
When it comes to antisemitism, we really are all in this together. I know that sounds deceptively simple. However, the more we acknowledge that antisemitism is a problem we must all solve, the better we can stand up to any form of hate.
Justin Kirschner is director of the American Jewish Committee Cincinnati regional office.
