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March 26, 2004/Nisan 4 5764, Vol. 56, No. 27
ADL issues anti-Semitism audit
Local documented incidents unchanged
BARRY COHEN
Editor
The number of anti-Semitic incidents reported in Arizona and nationwide in 2003 remained constant with those reported in 2002, according to a recently released national Anti-Defamation League study.
In Arizona, ADL documented 18 acts of harassment and seven acts of vandalism in 2003.
"That number seems awfully low," considering that Greater Phoenix alone has a community of 83,000 Jews, said Bill Straus, regional director of the ADL.
Attempting to explain the low number, Straus said people might decline to report anti-Semitic incidents when they occur.
"They have a tremendous reluctance, as if that would give it more reality," he said.
Straus finds it "alarming" that the number of anti-Semitic incidents reported to ADL is not decreasing from year to year.
According to the ADL's "Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents," released on March 24, a total of 1,557 anti-Semitic incidents occurred in the United States in 2003, compared with 1,559 in 2002.
"Though the number of anti-Semitic incidents has remained virtually unchanged in the United States, the levels continue to be disturbing and unacceptable," said Abraham Foxman, ADL national director, in a statement.
In the last 20 years, reported anti-Semitic incidents peaked with 2,066 in 1994; since 1997, there has been little variation.
For 2003, New York documented the most anti-Semitic incidents with 364, followed by New Jersey with 209, California with 180, and Pennsylvania with 117.
The audit separates incidents into two categories: vandalism, including cemetery desecration and graffiti; and harassment, including threats and assaults targeting individuals or institutions.
According to the audit, vandalism increased by 18 percent compared to 2002, while harassment declined by 9 percent.
One local vandalism incident reported to the ADL occurred April 29, Holocaust Remembrance Day, when the Buchori Jewish Community Center was defaced with swastikas.
The ADL audit also tracked anti-Semitic incidents related to extensive publicity surrounding Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ."
Prior to the film's release, "ADL and others who were speaking out about it received a barrage of hate mail filled with ugly anti-Semitism," said Foxman in a statement.
The messages were not included in the tally of harassment and vandalism.
Locally, ADL has received three calls from parents of high school students who were "verbally attacked by their classmates for being Christ-killers," said Straus.
Straus urged anyone who is a victim of an anti-Semitic incident to contact the local chapter of the ADL.
"The incident will be logged. That person can learn about options and next steps," said Straus. "Give us a call. You will remain anonymous."
Contact the writer at barry_cohen@jewishaz.com.
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