Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By simmons on April 25, 2017

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) this week reported an increase in anti-Semitic incidents during the first quarter of 2017, compared to both 2016 and 2015 records. Within the ADLs Connecticut Region, which covers the entire state of Connecticut, recorded anti-Semitic incidents increased to 10 in the first quarter of 2017 from a total of 3 in the same period of 2016. Of the 38 total incidents in 2016, 25 were categorized as harassment or threats, 12 were acts of vandalism and one was an assault. From 2015 to 2016, recorded incidents in Connecticut rose by 68%.

The highest increase in anti-Semitic incidents this year involved anti-Semitic harassment. ADL observed a 40% increase in the first quarter of 2017 from the previous year, due in part to the waves of bomb threats that hit Jewish institutions in the beginning of 2017. In Connecticut, the JCCs in Woodbridge and West Hartford received bomb threats, as did Hebrew High School in West Hartford.

The increase in incidents is widespread and is not explained away by the handful of bomb threats we saw in Connecticut we received calls about and investigated more than twice as many incidents in 2016 than 2015, said Steve Ginsburg, Regional Director of the ADL Connecticut office, What is most concerning is the uptick in anti-Semitic harassment incidents in our schools. Implementing our anti-bias programming like Names Can Really Hurt Us and The Truth about Hate, which cover all kinds of prejudice, bullying and hatred, in schools continues to be a top priority for ADL. Our office has created and perfected these programs over the last quarter century and we will continue to work with school administrators, teachers and parents to empower students to address and combat anti-Semitism and all forms of hate in schools and on campus. We must send a message that bullying and harassment will not be tolerated.

The report of anti-Semitic incidents in the Connecticut Region comes from ADLs annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents. ADL reports that there has been a massive increase in the amount of harassment of Jews in the United States, particularly since November, and a doubling in the amount of anti-Semitic bullying and vandalism at non-denominational K-12 grade schools. ADL has been tracking anti-Semitic incidents in the United States since 1979. The audit includes both criminal and non-criminal incidents, acts of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate propaganda, threats and slurs. Compiled using information provided by victims, law enforcement and community leaders and evaluated by ADLs professional staff, the Audit provides an annual snapshot of one specific aspect of a nationwide problem while identifying possible trends or changes in the types of activity reported. This information assists ADL in developing and enhancing its programs to counter and prevent the spread of anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry.

The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the worlds leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.

Read the rest here:
ADL Connecticut sees increase in anti-Semetic incidents - Minuteman News Center

Category: Anti-Defamation League
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