A new ADL antisemitism survey shows that more than half of Jewish Americans have experienced antisemitism in the past year — and local leaders say the findings reflect what they’re seeing in St. Louis.
The report, released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA), found that 55% of Jewish Americans experienced at least one form of antisemitism in the last 12 months, while 57% now believe antisemitism is a normal part of Jewish life.
The survey, conducted with Teachers College at Columbia University, found that 79% of American Jews are concerned about antisemitism, and nearly half have taken steps to increase their sense of security. Those steps include developing “worst-case scenario” plans (33%), planning to flee the country (14%), installing home security systems (13%), and purchasing firearms (9%).
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In a report sent to the Jewish Light by Jordan Kadosh, regional director of ADL Heartland, he said the data underscores how deeply the threat is being felt in Missouri and across the region.
“The fact that American Jews are making contingency plans and discussing worst-case scenarios underscores the severity of our situation,” Kadosh said. “We need everyone working together to get back to a place where this isn’t normal.”
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Local leaders call for action
The findings hit home in St. Louis, where Jewish community leaders say the statistics reflect growing fears they hear every day.
According to the ADL antisemitism survey, nearly one in five Jewish Americans said they were physically assaulted, threatened, or verbally harassed because of their Jewish identity. More than a third said they had witnessed an incident of antisemitic violence, and 41% encountered antisemitism online.
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Danny Cohn, CEO of the Jewish Federation of St. Louis, said those numbers are both unsurprising and deeply troubling. He called for an urgent, collective response from across the community.
“It is both heartbreaking and unacceptable that so many American Jews now see antisemitism as a ‘normal’ part of life,” Cohn said. “These findings demand more than awareness. They require immediate action from organizations, community leaders, public officials and every person who believes in building a just and secure society.”
Holocaust lessons for the present
Myron Freedman, executive director of the St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum, said the findings reinforce the ongoing need for Holocaust education.
“The lessons from historic periods of Jew hatred remind us to be clear-eyed about the dangers antisemitism poses to Jews and to all of society,” Freedman said. “The normalization of antisemitism is threatening not just to Jewish communities, but to the moral fabric of our society. Education about the Holocaust is not an optional part of history—it is a critical defense against hate, ignorance, and distortion.”
Finding strength amid fear
Despite the fear, the ADL and Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) report also found evidence of resilience: nearly two-thirds of those who experienced antisemitism said they’ve responded by deepening their Jewish involvement — a phenomenon JFNA has dubbed “the surge.”
“Even in the face of unprecedented levels of antisemitism, we continue to see what Jewish Federations have termed ‘the surge’ — a remarkable increase in Jewish engagement and connection to community,” said Eric Fingerhut, president and CEO of the JFNA. “Rather than retreating in fear, American Jews are choosing to stand together, strengthen their bonds and affirm their identity. This surge in Jewish engagement represents hope and determination in the face of hate.”
