Bergen County leads state in antisemitic incidents
New Jersey ranks third in nation, report says
By: Deena Yellin
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
.....Bergen County was the number 1 hot spot in New Jersey for antisemitic incidents in 2025, says an alarming new report.
.....
Of the statewide incident targeting visibly Jewish individuals in the state last year, [2025] 28% occurred in Bergen County, says the Anti-Defamation League's annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, released on May 6. [2026]
..... Among the roster of incidents was a case at a Paramus grocery in which an individual pointed a gun at a Jewish victim and used antisemitic slurs, and one in which a Fair Lawn public school student was verbally harassed and told he belonged in a concentration camp because he is Jewish.
..... New Jersey ranked third in the United States for antisemitic incidents, with 687, following New York, (1,160) and California (817).
..... The ADL recored 36 incidents targeting Orthodox or visibly8 Jewish individuals in New Jersey in 2025, and incidents involving the Orthodox community are seven times more likely to be physical assaults compared with other antisemitic incidents statewide.
..... A pattern emerged of perpetrators driving through Orthodox neighborhoods to intimidate and harass residents in heavily Jewish communities such as Teaneck, Lakewood and Englewood.
.....
Among the 687 incidents were 20 assaults, an increase from 17 in 2024 and the highest number ever recored in New Jersey.
..... Seven of the assault targeted Orthodox or visibly Jewish individuals. Swastika use increased 28% from 2024, with swastikas appearing in 32% of all antisemitic incidents statewide.
..... Incidents in New Jersey remains 86% higher than five years ago, in a "clear sign that antisemitism is deeply entrenched at historically elevated levels in the state," said Scott Richman, the ADL New York/New Jersey regional director.
..... New Jersey led the nation in antisemitic incidents at K-12 schools in 2025 and also saw increases in antisemitic physical assaults and vandalism, the report says.
..... "Our 2025 audit, which shows it was one of the most violent years for American Jews on record, is a reminder of how dramatical the threat landscape has shifted.
..... Number that would have shocked us five years ago now our floor," Jonathan Greenblatt, the ADL's CEO and national director, said in a statement.
..... "People are being murdered because of antisemitism on American soil, and thousands more are threatened. ADL will not stop until that baseline changes."
..... The report noted a dip in overall antisemitic incidents across the country in 2025, but last year was still the third-highest year on recored for hatred against Jews.
..... Antisemitism is "being normalized" and it's essential that people speak up, Greenblatt said in a press conference on Wednesday May 6. [2026] "when you see an Online post or when someone says something, don't be afraid to speak out or to report it. Expose people to what norms should be like."
..... "You have to share facts ... there's too many people pushing propaganda," Greenblatt said.
..... Founded in 1913, the ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world.