A new survey indicates that a majority of American Jews have experienced antisemitism in the past year, prompting many to conceal their Jewish identity and alter their behavior out of safety concerns. The findings, released by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) ahead of the United States' 250th anniversary, surveyed 1,060 Jewish American adults.
According to the survey, 57 percent of Jewish Americans reported experiencing antisemitism over the past year. This translates to an estimated 3.3 million Jewish adults and approximately 250,000 Jewish children living in affected households. The data suggests that more openly Jewish individuals are more likely to face antisemitism.
In response to these experiences, 38 percent of respondents said they now hide items that identify them as Jewish, 32 percent avoid posting Jewish-related content online, and 23 percent have skipped Jewish events or observances due to safety concerns. Alyza D. Lewin, CAM’s president of US affairs, described these findings as a "stark reminder that antisemitism is a lived daily reality for Jewish Americans."
The survey also found that 58 percent of respondents felt less safe than they did a year ago. Online, 59 percent encountered antisemitic content, and 47 percent reported hearing antisemitic tropes. Ten percent of respondents indicated that antisemitic content was directed at them personally.
Beyond online experiences, eight percent of respondents reported being physically threatened or attacked because they are Jewish. Additionally, 36 percent saw anti-Jewish graffiti or vandalism in their area, and another 36 percent heard antisemitic slurs or jokes from colleagues or neighbors.
Despite these challenges, 40 percent of respondents noted that a non-Jewish person had expressed solidarity with them.
The survey was conducted by Dr. Ira Sheskin of the University of Miami and administered by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, with a margin of sampling error of ±3.5 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.
In parallel, the survey revealed strong support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism. After reviewing the definition, 71 percent of respondents stated it accurately described antisemitism, and over two-thirds indicated it should be adopted by institutions. CAM’s special representative on international affairs, Aaron Keyak, emphasized the need for a bipartisan approach to address antisemitism, stating, "It is incumbent on all of us not to make this a partisan issue and to actually take measures to make American Jews safer."