The announcement that Bergen County authorities have made an arrest in the arson attacks on two synagogues in Rutherford and Paramus was a tremendous relief to the Jewish community in New Jersey.

Particularly at a time when such incidents are on the rise in both this state and in New York City, the incidents had synagogues and Jewish institutions across the region on edge and reviewing their security plans as a sadly necessary precaution.

Yesterday's arrest served as a poignant reminder that despite all of the strides we have made in making America a more tolerant society, we are not immune from bigotry, and that anti-Semitism is not a thing of the past, but a current event.

Recent events have highlighted what happens when people turn their anti-Semitic beliefs into action.

The suspect, Anthony M. Graziano, was described by law enforcement as an individual who, even at the age of 19, was deeply infected by anti-Semitism.

If the allegations against him are proven true, it will turn out that he was also an individual who did not hesitate to act out violently on those beliefs.

Sowing fear

Graziano's alleged bias crimes sowed fear in an entire community, and we still are shocked that an individual who lived among us could be so deeply influenced by anti-Semitism that he would consider targeting Jews and Jewish religious institutions with Molotov cocktails.

For most American Jews, experiences with anti-Semitism in their lives and the insecurity surrounding fears of anti-Semitism are largely vestiges of the past. Sixty or 70 years ago, there were many points of contact in the life of an American Jew where he or she could be personally exposed to anti-Semitism.

It could happen in school or on the street where taunts of "Christ-killer" were still not unusual. It could happen when applying to medical school or to an Ivy League college where quotas were in place. It could happen in the public sphere where politicians, religious leaders or intellectuals were not all above Jew-baiting.

It could happen in applying for a job where some industries were not open to Jews, or it could happen in some neighborhoods or clubs where "No Jews Allowed" was the unstated policy.

Since such events no longer regularly occur, it is customary to focus on the American Jewish experience as exceptional in the long history of the Diaspora. The historians who have written in that way about American Jewish history are generally people living in the new era of Jewish life in America, where the transformation took place and where Jews became far more self-confident as truly integrated and equal Americans.

Is there anything going on now or potentially in the years ahead that should make us pause in this ongoing celebration of the uniqueness of Jewish life in this country?

Overall, the answer is no. The fundamentals that have led to America being this unique place for Jews remain intact. It continues to be unacceptable to express anti-Semitism. Christian attitudes toward Jews are remarkably different from what they were even 50 years ago.

Pluralism as a value has grown in America. Yet there are real challenges and concerns that have surfaced of late that remind us that however great the progress, we cannot be complacent.

A lot of it has to do with the resiliency of old stereotypes about Jews and the new forms they take in our very modern world.

Combating false perceptions

Public attitudes toward Jews, as reflected in the Anti-Defamation League's national surveys, still show surprisingly strong numbers expressing the belief that Jews are more loyal to Israel than to their own country, America, and that many believe that Jews "control" Wall Street and the banks.

At the same time that the old attitudes have not completely disappeared, the internet provides a perfect vehicle not only to disseminate hatred but to provoke those who have such attitudes to consider doing something about it.

Sobering numbers

The statistics also tell part of the story. We know that year after year the state of New Jersey consistently ranks near the top in the country for anti-Semitic incidents. In 2010, the most recent year for which we have statistics, there were 130 anti-Semitic incidents statewide. These include assaults, vandalism, threats, graffiti and other acts of anti-Jewish hatred.

America remains a great place of freedom for Jews. But there are enough uncertainties to make American Jews keep their guard up.