An extensive survey conducted among American Jewish communities over the past year has illuminated the escalating scale of antisemitism in the Western world since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war following Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7. The data reveals that approximately 3.5 million adult American Jews – representing about one-third of the Jewish population – and about 380,000 children have experienced some form of antisemitism since Oct. 7.
The survey was conducted by Dr. Ira Sheskin from the University of Miami and was commissioned by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM). "Alarmingly, 3 in 4 Jews don't report incidents to external entities outside their family. The impact of these experiences is profound, with 61% of American Jews reporting feeling less safe since October 7," CAM said in statement. The organization further added, "On a positive note, 49% of respondents expressed that they have received support from non-Jewish individuals because of their Jewish identity – an increase from 33% from earlier studies."
The results of the in-depth survey, which sampled 1,075 respondents, reflect a severe impact on the sense of security among American Jewry, comparing sentiments before and after the events of Oct. 7. The data indicates that antisemitism experienced by local Jewish communities in the US has more than doubled since 2018.
The situation in the US is particularly acute in higher education institutions, especially on Ivy League campuses. 39% of survey respondents indicated that in the past year since Oct. 7, they felt "uncomfortable" or "unsafe" at a campus event due to their Jewish identity, while about 29% felt excluded from a group or event on campus because of their Jewish background.
It is deeply concerning to learn from the survey that one in four Jews experienced discrimination or discomfort from a faculty member, teaching assistant, or instructor because of their Jewish identity. This situation has fostered an atmosphere of apprehension and fear among Jewish students in the US, leading to "self-censorship." About 35% of Jewish students reported avoiding expressing opinions about Israel due to fear of antisemitism, up from 29% previously.
As the anniversary of Hamas' deadly assault approached, the FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security issued a joint warning, cautioning that "this day may serve as a motivating factor for violence by violent extremists and hate crime perpetrators." This grave warning aligns with the concerning data uncovered in the survey conducted by the research department of CAM - The Combat Antisemitism Movement in collaboration with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago.
An intriguing additional finding highlighted by the survey data is the influence of antisemitic manifestations on the voting patterns of US Jews in the upcoming elections. 43% of respondents indicated that antisemitism will affect how they vote.
Regarding antisemitism on social media, 58% of survey participants reported exposure to antisemitic content on social networks since Oct. 7, with about 16% reporting targeted focus due to their Jewish identity – twice the rate observed in 2020. The survey ranks social networks by severity of antisemitic content, with Facebook topping the list, followed by Instagram, X, YouTube, and TikTok.
Another troubling statistic concerns the Jewish symbols that American Jews refrain from wearing or displaying in public. 38% of US Jews reported avoiding wearing Jewish symbols, 41% hesitated to participate in Jewish community events, and 27% of survey respondents admitted that they now avoid displaying their Jewish identity in the workplace, compared to 18% before Oct. 7.
Moreover, among respondents affiliated with a Jewish organization or synagogue, 25% reported that their institution has been a target of attacks, threats, hate inscriptions, and graffiti since Oct. 7; 21% indicated that local businesses were targets of antisemitic vandalism; and 18% felt uncomfortable or unsafe in the workplace because of their Jewish identity. The prominent expressions of antisemitism experienced by US Jews in the past year included vandalism, graffiti, jokes, use of slurs, online harassment, rejection or exclusion from social events, and even tangible physical threats.
Sacha Roytman Dratwa, CEO of CAM, stated: "The survey findings are deeply painful and serve as further evidence of the level of hatred, terror, and violence prevailing in the world since Oct. 7. The phenomenon of antisemitism does not spare any aspect of American Jewish life. In the past year, US Jews have avoided wearing or displaying Jewish symbols; endured threats, harassment, and incidents in real life and on social networks, in workplaces, on campuses, and in universities; been excluded from social events; and experienced a harsh daily reality that, if not stopped, will lead to bloodshed. This is another crucial reminder of why we all need to fight against antisemitism on a daily basis, and to publicly speak out against any entity that commits, justifies, or backs acts of terror or violence against Jews, directly or indirectly."
"This survey emphasizes the number of Jews impacted by antisemitism rather than just the number of incidents," Professor Sheskin said. He added, "The results are deeply concerning and highlight the need for immediate action to address rising antisemitism in America."
Misha Galperin, PhD, a member of the Board of Governors of the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), said, "The explosion of anti-Jewish hate since October 7 in this country has profoundly impacted individuals, families, and communities." He added, "The extent of that impact on American Jews documented by this survey is simply stunning."
