New Jersey: Anti-Semitic Incidents Decline In 2006
West Orange, New Jersey, March 14, 2007
The number of anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey declined for the second consecutive year in 2006, according to the Anti-Defamation League's (ADL) annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents issued today.
A total of 244 incidents were reported across New Jersey in 2006, with 166 incidents of vandalism and 78 incidents of harassment, representing an 8 percent decline from 266 reported in 2005. New Jersey ranks second in the nation in anti-Semitic incidents, behind only New York State.
"While we are pleased with the overall decrease in anti-Semitic incidents throughout the state, we are concerned with the fact that 71 incidents were reported at educational institutions, including our public schools and colleges," said Etzion Neuer, ADL's New Jersey Regional Director. "While the decreasing numbers in New Jersey reflect a national trend, they also show a continuing need to erase the persistent scourge of anti-Semitism, especially among our youth."
According to the Audit, New Jersey experienced 166 incidents of anti-Jewish vandalism, down from 188 incidents in 2005, a decrease of 12 percent. This includes property damage, arson, and cemetery desecrations. 78 incidents of anti-Jewish harassment were reported for 2006, the same number as in 2005. This includes verbal intimidation, threats, and physical assaults.
Lawrence Cooper, ADL's Regional Board Chair added: "These numbers remind us that we must redouble our efforts to counteract and prevent root causes of hate. Our New Jersey office will continue to focus on anti-bias training beginning in preschool and continuing through high school, college and the workplace. We hope to see this trend reversed."
The Audit comprises data from across New Jersey, including information provided to ADL's regional office by victims, law enforcement officers and community leaders. The Audit identifies both criminal and non-criminal incidents of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate literature, threats and slurs.
The Statistics by New Jersey Counties
The following are the total number of anti-Semitic incidents per county:
Atlantic, 5 down from 9 in 2005
Bergen, 38 up from 29
Burlington, 1 down from 6
Camden, 9 down from 21
Cape May, 2 up from 1
Cumberland, 1 down from 2
Essex, 18 up from 12
Gloucester, 3 down 4
Hudson, 2 down from 8
Hunterdon, 5 up from 3
Mercer, 17 no change
Middlesex, 22 down from 34
Monmouth, 57 up from 51
Morris, 13 up from 10
Ocean, 24 down from 32
Passaic, 9 up from 5
Somerset, 9 down 10
Sussex, 0 no change
Union, 5 down from 10
Warren, 4 up from 2
Sampling of Anti-Semitic Incidents in New Jersey in 2006
A professor at Ramapo College found swastikas and hate graffiti, "Die Jew Bitch," written on her white-board.
A Jewish cemetery in Lyndhurst was defaced with swastikas and anti-Semitic slogans.
"F*** Jews" was written on a menorah holiday display in a Cedar Grove high school.
A 2 foot by 2 foot swastika was carved into the floor of the boys' bathroom at a middle school in East Windsor.
The living residence for a Yeshiva (Jewish school) in Roosevelt was sprayed with over 60 paint gun pellets.
A student at an Ocean County high school shouted "F*** you, you F***ing Jew" at a member of the school administration.
The Anti-Defamation League, founded in 1913, is the world's leading organization fighting anti-Semitism through programs and services that counteract hatred, prejudice and bigotry.
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