SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — A new regional coalition is uniting against antisemitism and working to reach more community members in its mission for change.
It comes as a recent report by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) of San Diego shows a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents throughout the county. The ADL audit shows a 28% uptick in antisemitism in 2024 from the year prior.
As part of that, harassment is up 19%, vandalism is up 67%, and assault is up 100%. Meanwhile, college campuses saw one of the biggest spikes in incidents — up 125%.
The Finest Community Coalition is an opportunity for non-Jewish allies to join the Jewish community in the fight against hate and prevent more division.
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“People writing all over the sidewalks outside of our playgrounds, where children of every kind play not just Jewish children, things about calling Jews baby killers, calling us less than,” said Betzy Lynch, CEO of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (JCC).
Chapters in Lynch’s own story are marked with antisemitism, many taking place at the La Jolla-based center.
“We build Jewish community with every kind of person,” Lynch continued. “More than 40% of the people that use the JCC and are part of the experiences are a faith other than Jewish.”
Sharing Shabbat dinner with churches is one way the JCC exposes people to Jewish life, but a growing trend is prompting concern.
“What we’ve seen over the last several years is that there’s malice associated with antisemitism,” said Lynch.
ADL’s regional director, Fabienne Perlov, says Jewish students are often targets.
“Blaming them for what the Israeli government might be doing or their policies, or blaming them for just supporting the existence of the state of Israel,” Perlov explained.
He says misinformation circulates online.
“Holocaust jokes are being made by your peers or the conspiracy theories about Jewish power,” he continued.
And tragically what happens online can inspire real-life action.
“We saw it at the Chabad a few years ago in San Diego unfortunately,” Perlov told FOX 5/ KUSI.
Rather than giving into fear, members of the Jewish community are calling on others to share in their experience and fight for change.
“There’s nothing more powerful with having that kind of friendship and this is exactly what this coalition is about,” said Lynch.
If you witness or experience antisemitism, you can report it to the ADL. The organization has additional information on how to support the fight against antisemitism online.
With increased awareness, members of the local Jewish community are hoping for a decrease in antisemitism.
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