How Do You Feel about the Rising Antisemitism in the US?

For decades, America has stood as a symbol of liberty, opportunity, and freedom. Jews who immigrated to its shores believed they had found refuge, a land where they could prosper and contribute to society without fear of persecution. But the past few years has seen that dream increasingly turn into a nightmare. Today, Jews across the United States are removing kippot, hiding Star of David necklaces, and avoiding synagogues out of fear. The threat has become visceral and it continues to grow.

The Rise of Antisemitism

Surveys such as the 2021 American Jewish Committee report show staggering levels of concern within the American Jewish community. Nearly 90% of American Jews stated that they believed antisemitism is a problem, and almost 40% mentioned that they altered their behavior due to fear. Whether on college campuses, in synagogues, or walking down the street, recent years have seen American Jews experiencing rising levels of verbal and physical hostility.

Antisemitism is also no partisan issue. The hatred emerges from the far-right, the far-left, radical Islamist groups, and increasingly also from mainstream society. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has acted as a catalyst for a surge in antisemitic incidents globally, with American Jews suffering much of the backlash. Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. alone since October 7, 2023 rose dramatically.

For instance, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported a record 9,354 antisemitic incidents in the U.S. in 2024, including assaults, vandalism, and harassment, with the majority linked to the Israel-Hamas conflict following the October 7 massacre. Also, the ADL documented a global surge in antisemitic incidents after the start of the Israel-Hamas war, with American Jews experiencing a significant share of it. Moreover, the American Jewish Committee (AJC) also found that 90% of American Jews believe antisemitism had increased since October 7, 2023, and a majority also reported changing their behavior out of fear.

Not Just Israel, But Jews

The hatred directed at Israel is not separate from antisemitism, it is rather a modern form of it. The related attacks are not merely political criticisms but also personal and violent, and aimed at individuals simply for being Jewish. Jews are blamed collectively, and the symbols of Judaism and the State of Israel have increasingly become targets for aggression. Behind every slogan, protest, or boycott lies a deep-seated resentment, an age-old hatred in new disguises.

Antisemitism in Academia

Perhaps the most insidious development is the spread of antisemitism in educational institutions. What once simmered beneath the surface became prominently displayed on campuses. Anti-Israel rhetoric became normalized to the point that Jewish students experienced harassment, mocking, and exclusion from student life. Some Jewish student groups even joined anti-Zionist coalitions, illustrating the identity crisis within the younger generation of American Jews.

Much of this shift has been cultivated over decades. Foreign funding, much of which has been from regimes hostile to Israel, has poured into American universities, promoting a narrative that vilifies Israel and, by extension, the Jewish people. These forces are systematic, strategic, and deeply embedded in academic life.

The Political Landscape: Unity in Hatred

While Jews might feel politically protected by aligning with one side or another, the reality is grim. Both left-wing and right-wing extremists harbor antisemitic views, and the political center is increasingly silent. Jewish lawmakers and organizations might condemn antisemitism from their opponents but hesitate when it arises within their own ranks.

As history has shown, when society faces internal crisis, it searches for scapegoats. Jews have always filled that role. Likewise, many voices have placed blame on Jews the social division and political polarization in the U.S. When the left and right can find no common ground, they will find it in their shared resentment of Jews.

In my book, The Jewish Choice: Unity or Anti-Semitism, I pointed out a recurring historical pattern of waves of antisemitic sentiment following times of dire social and political division. The growing silence in the face of antisemitism signals that we are inching toward a critical point. As with Europe in the 1930s, American Jews might not realize the danger until it is too late.

What Lies Ahead

Jews can no longer ignore what is happening right in front of their eyes and continue with a business-as-usual attitude, as if this is a small and passing discomfort. The growing animosity will not vanish until people realize that freedom should not be confused with anarchy, bigotry, discrimination, and even physical attack in order to threaten or attempt annihilation. Jews, as a people with a vast history of debate among their sages to reach truth and wisdom, can and should play a crucial role in fostering an understanding of what true freedom is in society.

Dialogue should be encouraged with the intended purpose of bringing about unity and brotherhood. Our sage Kabbalist Yehuda Ashlag (Baal HaSulam) wrote in his essay “The Freedom” about the importance of the fundamental human value of freedom:

“Rather, each individual should maintain the integrity of his inheritance. Then, the contradiction and oppositeness between them will remain forever, to forever secure the criticism and progress of the wisdom, which is all of humanity’s advantage and its true eternal desire.”

But freedom can work only if it is accompanied by the principle, “love will cover all crimes” (Proverbs 10:12) as the basis for reaching unity and brotherhood above our differences.

A plethora of ideas and thoughts based on selfish interests only result in conflicts and wars. On the other hand, when we rise above human egoism, covering it with love, myriad ideas and thoughts develop and enrich all kinds of means of communication and connection.

The Jewish people are uniquely situated to play a crucial role in fostering the understanding of true freedom by first implementing among themselves the method of connection above differences and then passing on to humanity the positive force that it generates. It can calm down antisemitism and pave the path to a bright future of mutual understanding and harmonious relations between all peoples. Attaining such an elevated state is the ultimate role of Jews, the meaning of being a “light unto the nations.”

One of the accusations leveled against the Jews is that Jews control the world, and that all evil comes from us. It is revealing that by saying so, they indirectly imply that changing the world for the better also depends on the Jewish people. From nature’s perspective, i.e., the inner forces that operate our world, this is what we Jews are destined to give humanity. This is also the underlying reason for the growing hatred and demands on us as we fall behind in our duty to fulfill this specific mission.

Kabbalist Rav Abraham Kook made this principle clear in his seminal work Orot (Lights):

“The construction of the world, which is currently crumpled by the dreadful storms of a blood-filled sword, requires the construction of the Israeli nation. The construction of the nation and the revealing of its spirit are one and the same, and it is one with the construction of the world, which is crumpling in anticipation for a force full of unity and sublimity, and all that is in the soul of the Assembly of Israel.”