Worldwide Anti-Semitism Hits NYC Hard

By Yehudit Garmaise

Not only did 75% of New Yorkers report that local Jews are experiencing anti-Semitism, but 75% of New Yorkers said that the current hate-filled atmosphere was sparked by Hamas’s horrific, vicious, and deadly attacks on Jews on October 7, according to a recent Siena Research Poll. 

Anti-Semites worldwide feel emboldened, of late, to openly express their usually suppressed hate, as they have historically when Hamas and other Palestinian groups have launched previous attacks on Israeli Jews.

As proud Jews living in Boro Park, some residents report feeling unfazed “by the everyday anti-Semitism of Galus,” as one resident put it.

“I mean, there is a rise in anti-Semitism, and I also feel like I should be more aware when I’m outside of my comfort zone, but because I generally don’t go outside of my zone, I don’t necessarily enter that more aware mode,” said Sruli H.

Others in the neighborhood say they feel “a bit scared and unsettled” in the recent outpouring of pro-Palestinian marches, noise, graffiti, and vandalism. 

Journalist Yochonon Donn regretfully noted that “slurs and shouts, such as ‘dirty Jew,’ which I always thought was a medieval expression, are sadly once again heard.”

“I am frustrated that so many people I know are affected by anti-Semitism, and nobody outside of our community seems to care,” said Donn, who added that the anti-Semitic temperature in Boro Park has since decreased from when Hamas first attacked western Israel on Simchas Torah.

Even more alarming, he said, is how Governor Kathy Hochul, Vice President Kamala Harris, and many other politicians speak as if anti-Semitism and Islamophobia were occurring at equal rates.

“As opposed to Jews, who feel threatened both on the street and at almost every college, very few, if any Muslims are similarly targeted right now,” the Boro Park resident shared. “In addition, 90% of social media blames Jews for the war and the current climate of hate.”

The anti-Semitism in the air is not just a feeling, unfortunately, but it is a documented reality.

Between October 7 and November 7, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) recorded a staggering 832 incidents of assault, vandalism, and harassment that targeted Jews.

The 832 anti-Semitic incidents average out to nearly 28 episodes a day. The anti-Semitic acts over the past month sadly showed an increase of 315% as compared to the same period last year. 

According to the ADL, the incidents included more than 600 acts of harassment, 170 instances of vandalism, and 30 assaults.

“As might be expected, more than 90% of Jews say both the Hamas attacks should be condemned without explanation and that Israel had no choice but to attack Hamas,” reported Don Levy, the director of the Siena Research Institute.

“Sadly, we are used to this, but iy"H, Hashem will protect us, and we will hear good news soon,” Sruli said.