FOLLOWING a consistent trend over the last several years, the number of anti-Semitic incidents in the US increased slightly in 2010, with a total of 1,239 incidents of assaults, vandalism and harassment reported during the calendar year, according to the ADL.
In Colorado and Wyoming, however, the number of incidents rose significantly.
The ADL Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents found that the number of anti-Semitic incidents increased slightly in 2010, to a total of 1,239 incidents, compared to 1,211 incidents reported in 2009.
This was the first increase reported since the numbers hit a record high in 2004, when the US experienced 1,821 incidents of anti-Semitism.
Since 2004, the numbers have declined incrementally each year.
In sharp contrast to the national findings, Colorado saw a substantial increase in anti-Semitic incidents, which numbered 38 in 2010, compared to the 14 reported in 2009.
In 2010, Colorado experienced 35 acts of anti-Semitic harassment and three acts of anti-Semitic vandalism.
In Wyoming, there were two reported incidents of harassment, up from zero reported in 2009.
Among the incidents in Colorado was the hacking of the websites of three Boulder Jewish communal organizations where the perpetrators posted language that included, Jews are terrorists, Child Organ Smugglers, and obscenities about Jews and Israel.
In another incident, a student in a Colorado high school was reportedly bullied with anti-Semitic text messages, one which allegedly read, Jews are really hot when theyre on fire.
Scott Levin, ADL Mountain States regional director, reacted, The sharp regional increase in anti-Semitic incidents is extremely troubling and reinforces the harsh reality that anti-Semitism, like all forms of hatred, remains a problem in the Mountain States region.
Every member of our community deserves to feel safe and welcome.
Stuart Pack, ADL Mountain States regional board chair, said, We will not be satisfied until anti-Semitism and hatred in all its forms are eradicated.
ADL will continue to lead the fight to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. The Mountain States region is no place for hate.
THE ADL audit tracks incidents of vandalism, harassment and physical assaults against Jewish individuals, property and community institutions across the US, using reports and data gathered by the Leagues 30 regional offices and law enforcement.
While we have come a long way in society as Jews have been accepted into the mainstream, America is still not immune to anti-Semitism and bigotry, said Levin.
The bad news is that for all our efforts to educate, to raise awareness and to legislate, anti-Jewish incidents remain a disturbing part of the American Jewish experience.
The 2010 audit identified the following cases:
22 physical assaults on Jewish individuals (down from 29 in 2009);
900 cases of anti-Semitic harassment, threats and events (up from 760 in 2009);
317 cases of anti-Semitic vandalism (down from 422 in 2009).
The audit comprises data from 45 states and the District of Columbia, including official crime statistics as well as information provided to ADLs regional offices by victims, law enforcement officers and community leaders and members.
The audit encompasses criminal acts, such as vandalism, violence and threats of violence, as well as non-criminal incidents of harassment and intimidation.
CONTINUING a longtime trend, the states with the highest totals were those with large Jewish populations. The top four states were California, with 297 incidents in 2010, up from 275 in 2009; New York, with 205 incidents, down from 209; New Jersey, with 130 incidents, down from 132; and Florida, with 116 incidents, up from 90.
Other states with double-digit totals in 2010 include Massachusetts (64, up from 55 in 2009); Pennsylvania (42, down from 65 in 2009); Connecticut (38, up from 24); Texas (37, up from 28) and Colorado
The audit has never included the thousands of anti-Semitic events and expressions occurring in cyberspace, as it is impossible to quantify.
As a barometer of anti-Semitism in America, the audit helps us to identify trends across the country and to take stock of how and where anti-Semitism is manifested, said Robert G. Sugarman, ADL national chair.
This information helps us to work with law enforcement and others in cities and communities to address the problem of hatred of Jews.
