ADL annual survey notes increase of anti-Semitic acts

An organization fighting anti-Semitism has released its annual audit of anti-Semitic incidents in 2014 that revealed an 11 percent increase in incidents in Pennsylvania including two in Chester County and seven in Montgomery County.

The Anti-Defamation League’s (ADL) annual audit of anti-Semitic incidents, issued earlier this week, detailed a total of 48 reported anti-Semitic incidents in Pennsylvania in 2014, an 11 percent increase from the 43 incidents reported statewide in 2013.

Of the 48 reported incidents, the audit identified 32 cases of harassment, 15 cases of vandalism, and one physical assault. They include an incident where a Jewish woman was hit with a shopping cart at the grocery store by an assailant who said, “You dirty Jews with your coupons”;

an incident where swastikas were spray-painted on an academic building on Temple University’s campus; and an incident where a Jewish woman on a dating site received anti-Semitic messages from a user that included “arrogant jew” and “adolf was right.”

“Jew ish indiv iduals and institutions must remain vigilant,” said Nancy Baron-Baer, ADL’s Eastern Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Regional Director. “While the total number of incidents reported to us is relatively small, the fact remains that these numbers have increased and 2014 was a particularly violent year for Jews both in America and overseas. Anti-Semitism is vile, shocks the conscience, and has no place in civil society. We encourage the community to remain vigilant and bring incidents of anti-Semitism to our attention when they occur.”

In one of the Chester County incidents a Jewish woman overheard teenage neighbors calling her a “Christ killer.”

In the second, an employee called to report his boss alleging that his boss refuses to shake hands with Hasidic Jewish clients because he “doesn’t like those kinds of people.” In another instance the complainant alleged that after hanging the phone up with Hasidic clients he said, “I’ll do that for him when he eats a bacon cheeseburger.”

Chester County District Attorney Thomas Hogan had strong words for those who would think of committing anti-Semitic acts.

“It is clear that there has been a rise in anti-Semitism in Europe. We are fortunate that such incidents remain at a low level in the United States in general and are virtually non-existent in Chester County,” Hogan said Wednesday. “The message from Chester County law enforcement remains consistent: we will not permit violence or threats directed at any group.”

In Montgomery County, the following incidents

“It is clear that there has been a rise in anti-Semitism in Europe. We are fortunate that such incidents remain at a low level in the United States in general and are virtually non-existent in Chester County.”

— Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan

were reported:

• Owner and operator alleges that online user/competitor who posts numerous anti-Semitic messages about complainant. Posts include: “Xxxxx Xxxxx is Bulgarian Jew freemason” and accuses him of stealing millions of dollars.

• Complainant, a Jewish man, is married to woman with a daughter from a previous marriage. Daughter’s birth father continually refers to the new husband as “the short Jew” or “the little Jew who buys her (the daughter) toys.”

• Complainant was forwarded email by coworkers that included a link to www.catsthatlooklikehitler.com. One coworker commented in the email forward, “I approve.” Com- plainant offended that employees at a professional place of business would engage in this type of behavior.

• Swastika painted on the shed of interfaith/interracial couple. Wife is Jewish and white, husband is Puerto-Rican and Catholic.

• Abandoned restaurant had graffiti depicted male genitalia urinating on a Jewish star

• Local mohel repeatedly called by unidentified male from CA hurling a-s comments about his role in ritual circumcision. Caller called mohel “predator, penile manipulator, and f-----Jew bastard.”

• While paying for groceries at Store a Jewish complainant was yelled at by the customer behind her in line for taking too long. The customer then hit her with her shopping cart and said, “You dirty Jews with your coupons.”

• Swastika carved into plaque at school with substantial Jewish student enrollment.

Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman was unavailable for comment Wednesday on the alleged incidents.

Nationally, ADL reported a total of 912 anti-Semitic incidents across the U.S. during the 2014 calendar year, representing a 21 percent increase from the 751 incidents reported during the same period in 2013. In 2014, anti-Semitic incidents were reported in 38 states and the District of Columbia.

“While the overall number of anti-Semitic incidents remains lower than we have seen historically, the fact remains that 2014 was a particularly violent year for Jews both overseas and in the United States,” said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL National Director. “The fatal shootings in Overland Park, Kansas at a Jewish community center by a white supremacist whose goal was to ‘kill Jews’ and other violent episodes were tragic reminders that lethal anti-Semitism continues to pose a threat to American Jews and larger society as well.”

Despite the increase in incidents, the total number of anti-Semitic acts still represents one of the lowest totals of anti-Semitic acts reported by ADL since it started keeping records in 1979. Still, the Audit has also identified new trends in anti-Semitic incidents, including the phenomenon of hacking attacks on community and synagogue websites by overseas hackers, which multiplied in 2014.

Locally, the ADL Audit recorded 15 cases of anti-Semitic vandalism in 2014, up from 13 in 2013. Nationally, in 2014, 363 cases of antiSemitism vandalism were recorded, up from 315 in 2013. Vandalism incidents are individually evaluated by ADL and are categorized as anti-Semitic based on the presence of antiSemitic symbols or language; the identity of the perpetrator(s), if known; and the target of the vandalism and its proximity to Jewish homes, communities and institutions.

The 2014 Audit includes in its totals swastikas that targeted Jewish property or communal institutions. Swastikas targeting other minorities or those used out of context simply for shock value were not counted.

Locally, the ADL Audit recorded 32 cases of antiSemitic harassment in 2014, up from 31 in 2013. Nationally, the audit recorded 513 cases of anti-Semitic harassment in 2014, up from 405 in 2013. Incidents included verbal attacks and slurs against Jewish individuals (or individuals perceived to be Jewish); anti-Semitism conveyed in written or electronic communications, including anti-Semitic cyberbullying; and anti-Semitic speeches, picketing or events.

Locally, ADL continues to receive complaints about anti-Semitic behavior on campuses. These incidents include threats as well as verbal and written taunts promoting anti-Semitic stereotypes or evoking disturbing Holocaust themes.