Chassidic/Orthodox Jews Comprise 94% of Jews Targeted with Hate Crimes in NYC

By Yehudit Garmaise

Chassidic and other Orthodox Jews comprised a shocking 94% of the 194 hate crimes that targeted Jews between April 2018 and August 2022, according to a report published by Americans Against Anti-Semitism (AAA).

Throughout those four years, 154 Jews in NYC were physically assaulted, and 40 Jewish New Yorkers were assailed with verbal abuse.

Of the Jews who were targeted, 52% identified as Chassidic and another 42% identified as Orthodox Jews. 

Only 4% of the Jews who were attacked were identified as secular, and another 2% said they were Modern-Orthodox. A further 0.5% identified as Reform, and 0.5% of those attacked in NYC were Israelis who did not list denominations.

“For the past two years, a Shabbos usually does not pass without a hate incident taking place in Boro Park, Crown Heights, or Williamsburg,” said Meilich H., who lives in Boro Park. 

Although approximately 1.6 million Jews live throughout NYC, according to the AAA’s report, a shocking 151 of the 194 hate crimes assaults occurred in just four Brooklyn neighborhoods: Boro Park/Kensington, Williamsburg, Flatbush/Midwood, and Crown Heights. 

While many Orthodox Jews in NYC blame the bail reform that launched two years ago on Jan. 1 for the sharp spike in hate crimes, the disproportionate negative attention to Chassidic neighborhoods that the media and politicians provided during the pandemic also have played a part, many Boro Parkers say.

Many in the community also fear that the unrelenting series of biased “investigations” that defame and cast unceasing negative lights on Chassidic Jews that New York Times has been publishing since Sept. 11, 2022, has been another virulent source of recent hate speech and physical attacks on Orthodox and Chassidic Jews minding their own business on the streets and on the subway.

Devorie B. said, while she remembers to stay more alert and aware of her surroundings, the uptick in hate crimes doesn’t change her daily life.

“We will not avoid shul,” said Meilich. “We just go on living our lives.”

While Meilich accepts the dangers of hate crimes as a “part of life” in NYC, he said Chassidic Jews are no longer surprised to read about attacks.

“It is a fact that every Motzie Shabbos when we open our phones, we read about another hate crime that targeted Jews,” the Boro Parker said.