Why AJC’s Combating Antisemitism Playbook Exists—And Why It Was Rebuilt

AJC’s Combating Antisemitism Playbook >> Get the Background

Antisemitism is intensifying—and the consequences are no longer abstract.

Jews are being attacked in their homes, in synagogues, in public spaces, and online. Young Jews are questioning their safety and belonging. More than half of American Jews report changing their behavior out of fear of antisemitism. Nearly one in five have considered leaving the country because of antisemitism in the last five years.

This is not just a Jewish issue. It is a test of the strength and resilience of our societies.

When antisemitism rises, it signals deeper fractures—in civic trust, in democratic norms, in our ability to live together across differences. History shows that antisemitism is often an early warning sign of broader societal decline.

But history also shows something else: when leaders act decisively, hatred can be confronted and reversed. 

It is part of the broader work of repairing the social fabric of our nation.

Why This Playbook Exists—And Why It Was Rebuilt

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, Americans are reflecting on the promise of a nation founded on freedom, pluralism, and the rule of law. At the same time, American Jewish Committee (AJC) marks its 120th year—born in response to waves of antisemitic violence abroad and dedicated ever since to protecting Jewish communities while advancing human rights and democratic values for all.

These anniversaries are not merely milestones. They are reminders of responsibility.

For more than a century, AJC has worked alongside partners across society—government leaders, educators, faith communities, businesses, and civic institutions—to ensure that Jews and all people can live safely, openly, and with dignity. 

Today, that mission is more urgent than ever. Over the past several years, the context surrounding antisemitism has changed dramatically:

• Extremism has become more visible and more normalized.
• Political polarization has seeped into schools, workplaces, and civic spaces once considered non-political.
• Rapid advances in technology—especially artificial intelligence and social media—have accelerated the spread of misinformation, conspiracies, and extremism.
• Foreign actors and online networks increasingly manipulate public discourse and exploit social divisions.
• Many communities grapple with uncertainty, disruption, and declining trust in our shared institutions.

What worked in the past is no longer sufficient.

Antisemitism does not manifest in one way—and it cannot be addressed with a single message, messenger, or strategy. Different communities experience and respond to antisemitism differently, requiring approaches that are tailored, coordinated, and sustained over time. 

Recognizing this, AJC undertook a complete overhaul of its Call to Action Against Antisemitism in America. To build this new framework, AJC convened a series of practitioner workshops bringing together more than sixty leaders from across society—including former federal officials, local and state elected leaders, law enforcement professionals, educators, scholars, technology experts, community leaders, and civil society partners. Their collective insight shaped this new Combating Antisemitism Playbook into a practical, coordinated approach grounded in real-world experience.

The result is more than a set of recommendations. It is a global standard for coordinated action—one that recognizes antisemitism as a barometer of democratic health and calls for collaboration across every sector of society.

A Whole-of-Society Responsibility

Antisemitism is a societal toxin.

Research shows that the vast majority of Americans recognize this reality:

• 70% of U.S. adults say antisemitism is a problem in the United States.
• 90% say antisemitism affects society as a whole and that everyone shares responsibility for confronting it.

And yet many people who witness antisemitism do not act—often because they are unsure what to do, whether the incident is serious enough, or whether their voice will make a difference.

This Playbook exists to change that.

It provides clear, practical guidance so that every sector of society—from government and law enforcement to schools, businesses, technology companies, faith leaders, and community organizations—knows how to understand, respond to, and prevent antisemitism before it escalates.

Because preventing hate is not the responsibility of one group.

It is the responsibility of all of us.

Understanding the Threat

Conspiracies about Jewish power, control, and manipulation from hundreds of years ago are resurfacing. In some spaces, “Zionist” is used as a stand-in for “Jew.” Political anger towards what is happening abroad spills into harassment of Jewish neighbors, students, and institutions thousands of miles away.

Antisemitism is not only physical violence—though that violence is real and deadly. It is also the erosion of belonging. It is when Jews feel pressured to hide their identity, withdraw from public life, or accept hostility as normal.

To respond effectively, leaders must understand how antisemitism operates today—online and offline, across ideologies, and across sectors.

Clarity is the foundation of effective action.

From Awareness to Action

AJC’s Combating Antisemitism Playbook is designed to turn concern into action.

Building on years of research, advocacy, and partnership—including frameworks that helped inform the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism—this Playbook provides practical, sector-specific strategies to:

• Understand modern antisemitism
• Respond decisively when incidents occur
• Prevent escalation through proactive measures

Each of these tailor-made playbooks have been vetted and discussed with experts in the field during a series of high-level practitioner workshops. AJC thanks the dozens of leaders who contributed, sharing their wisdom so we could share it more broadly. 

Find the recommendations designed for your sector and put them to work:

• Executive Branch
• Congress
• Local/State Government
• Law Enforcement
• Digital Platforms and Technology Companies
• Media
• Private Sector
• Allies and Interfaith and Intergroup Partners
• Education Sector
• Jewish Communities and Jewish Organizations
• Cultural, Entertainment, and Public Figures
• Research Institutions, Think Tanks, and Scholars
• National Governments and Diplomatic Officials

An Invitation to Lead

America is facing a crisis of trust in institutions, public discourse, and one another, visible in polarization and declining civic engagement.

Antisemitism at its core is built on conspiratorial thinking, stereotyping, grievance, hatred, and distrust. Rebuilding trust is a long-term, generational effort that requires sustained commitment, collaboration, and leadership from every sector of society. This Playbook offers a starting point—a roadmap to help build a safe and thriving Jewish community.

Every sector has influence.
Every institution has responsibility.
Everyone has a role to play.

This is not about one group winning while another loses; a safer Jewish community does not come at the expense of others. 92% of U.S. adults say cooperation between Jewish and other religious and ethnic communities is important, and people who personally know someone Jewish are significantly more likely to recognize antisemitism as a problem and to report it when they see it. Building these connections is essential to lowering hate and rebuilding trust. 

Understanding, responding to, and preventing antisemitism is not an add-on to civic life.
It is part of what it means to be a responsible member of a democratic society.

At this defining moment, the question is not whether antisemitism is a challenge. The question is whether we will meet that challenge together.

Now is the time for leadership.

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