CLEVELAND — On Thursday, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released its annual audit and it reveals record high numbers of antisemitic incidents across the nation.
The ADL tracks the number of reported incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism, and assault across the United States.
"We're seeing people being harassed at their places of worship or their homes are being vandalized," explained Kelly Fishman of Cleveland ADL. "These incidents affect a lot of people."
In 2022, the ADL traced over 3,600 incidents nationwide, that's a 36% increase from the previous year and the highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents in 1979. The number of incidents of hate crimes and cases across all other audited categories increased as well.
Here in Ohio, we observed an even more dramatic increase.
In the region that includes Ohio, Kentucky, West Virginia, and western Pennsylvania, the ADL reports a 37% increase in antisemitic crimes last year. Overall, 61 antisemtic incidents were reported in Ohio.
Why was there a significant spike?
Fishman says there undoubtedly has been a rise in hate groups across the state.
"We've seen a real increase in hate and we've seen white supremist groups grow. Our white supremacist report came out came out last week, so we can see the rise in participation in those groups and how that hate speech spreads," she added.
Fishman says there is a bright spot to the report. No assaults were reported in our region this year, as opposed to five reported last year.
To stand up to antisemitism, the Jewish Federation of Cleveland is launching a new campaign. "Stand Up to Jewish Hate" features captivating storytelling that showcases what antisemitism looks like on social media and in our communities today.
The campaign, designed to reach all Americans, will launch on Monday, March 27 on NBC's "The Voice."