(WWLP) – On the eve of Yom Hashoah, also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, new data from the Anti-Defamation League shows a spike in antisemitic incidents here in Massachusetts.
22News spoke with the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts about this growing issue and asked state leaders what they are doing about it.
As the Jewish community prepares to observe Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day —-New data from the Anti-Defamation League shows antisemitic incidents in Massachusetts outpacing most of the nation.
As of 2024, the commonwealth ranks fifth highest in the country for recorded antisemitic incidents. An alarming trend has prompted Jewish organizations to enhance their security protocols and training. “Situational awareness, campus safety and security, countering active threat training, if somebody is shot–stop the bleed— desescalation,” says Adam Solender with the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts.
In 2024, Massachusetts reported:
- 438 total incidents
- 257 of them were Israel/Zionism related
- There were 157 acts of vandalism
- 132 verbal/or written harassment or threats
- 115 included a gathering, picketing, or meeting
- 107 of these incidents happened on college campuses
Massachusetts state senator John Velis of Westfield has been holding public hearings across the state as part of a special commission on combating antisemitism. Velis adds, “If you just require education at a much younger level, it could have an impact.”
When asked what he learned from these hearings about how to combat antisemitism at the state level, Velis replies, “A seventh grader, he told me that he was convinced that so many of his peers in school don’t even know what they are talking about. They don’t know about the holocaust, they don’t know what a swastika means. But I’m convinced that education is a really big part of this.”
By November 30th, the commission will have recommendations to better support Jewish residents and reduce antisemitic incidents. Comparing Massachusetts to other New England states, New Hampshire saw 53 incidents, Rhode Island 52, Vermont 44, and Maine 51.