Antisemitism in the United States has surged to historic levels. In 2023, the Anti-Defamation League measured a 103% increase in New Jersey alone, reaching up to 803 incidents; this was the third-highest record of all states in the nation. Not only do these statistics reflect back to the prejudiced era of World War II, but they also forewarn a yearly trend.
On the night of May 2, 2025, Sarah Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky, a young couple and Israeli embassy staff, were shot and killed. This attack was solely based off of the pretense that they were Jewish, while Lischinsky was, in fact, a Christian man.
“This is similar to Nazi times, where you can be killed by being sympathetic to Jews,” a recent Del Val graduate Oren Nahum said. “You don’t even have to be Jewish to experience acts of antisemitism and violence.”
Due to the rise in antisemitism, members of the Jewish population has felt worried to display pride in their faith. Specifically, Jewish youth have faced increased levels of stress, particularly due to the geopolitical conflict between Palestine and Israel.
“I have been more cautious; I’m proud to be Jewish, but sometimes hesitate to be too open about it, like wearing a Star of David necklace or talking about temple,” Del Val senior Kadence Melamud said. “I never used to think about safety in this way before, like in public, if someone didn’t respect the Jewish faith.”
What has also added fuel to the fire is the rampant spread of misinformation. The lines between truth and lies have been blurred in today’s media. People are quick to believe the first story they see or whichever one fits their ideals best. It is important for the public to fully research global issues, such as the Israel-Hamas war, to get the full picture and then make a judgement.
“The rise in antisemitism has been fueled by frank misinformation and manipulation of the media,” Nahum said. “Being privy to Israeli media, I know for a fact that people in the United States were left in the dark about the true horrors that occurred and are ongoing, thus leading to a false sense of justifiability of the actions of the Hamas.”
Similar to any community, the Jewish population finds solace in its faith. Antisemitism is no different from racism or sexism: false and generalized assumptions are being made about the group. As a consequence, members are being unjustifiably persecuted.
“Being Jewish isn’t just a religion—it’s also a culture, a history and a community,” Melamud said. “The community I have established within my synagogue is one I have never taken for granted, and it is a place I have always felt safe.”
