During my FMS 313: Antisemitism In Media ASU course we also had lively e-board discussions that focused on different aspects of Antisemitism. Each week our instructor posted a subtopic we expected to respond to. While much of the course material was derived from the above mentioned book by Robert Wistrich, we also explored other media sources reporting on hate crimes directed at Jews or those perceived to be Jewish. In light of recent world events – especially with the Israeli-Gaza war, what I commented on more than a decade ago is still timely now. Here’s what I wrote then:
According to various articles on the JTA: Global Service Of The Jewish People website, attacks and vandalism against synagogues throughout New Jersey are occurring with alarming frequency. In one of the more extreme incidents an explosive was hurled through a temple/residence in Bergen County. It is being treated as attempted murder by the county prosecutor. Between December and January of this year there have been several violent occurrences against Jewish places of worship in four different towns in Bergen County at Hackensack, Maywood, Paramus, and Rutherford. Though police are unsure if all of the incidents are related, the FBI along with the US Attorney’s Office, the Bergen County Prosecutor and the Rutherford Police Dept. are trying to solve the latest attack which includes a fire.
To me, this escalating trend is especially worrisome as it seems to be the precursor to more serious incidents of terrorism to come. The director of Community Relations for the Jewish Federation Of Northern New Jersey (Joy Curland) says: “This is getting out of control. This is so troublesome.” The site related another grievous incident against a West Bank mosque where slurs were sprayed-painted on it and cars parked in front were set on fire. The Israeli Defense Minister (Ehud Barak) remarked: “These incidents are designed to damage the fragile relations between Israelis and Palestinians…as well as between Israel and its neighbors.” Besides the stories featured on the JTA site, I have read various things over the past few years regarding vandalism of Jewish property and desecration of Hebrew cemeteries in France, The Netherlands, and Austria among other supposedly advanced and tolerant countries around Europe.
It seems that anyone (or any group) who resorts to such extreme acts of violence and vandalism against a particular minority (regardless of where these incidents happen) would be evidence of severe attitudes against the state of Israel specifically as well as virulent antisemitism in general. I find it difficult to really distinguish the difference, though this topic is trying to present them as different things.
Epilogue:
Looking back on this now, it’s apparent that antisemitism continues to be as widespread now as it was in the early 2010s. The Israeli-Gaza War has greatly amplified this issue , regardless of which side is more to blame —and this is subjective at best. Emotions run too high for those at the center of this ongoing tragedy to view it in any objective manner. The question of allowing an independent Palestinian state within the Gaza Strip, West Bank, or elsewhere is a thornier issue than ever and a workable solution seems more out of reach now than it was a decade or so ago. I will continue to explore this and antisemitism through time in upcoming posts!
Update: On August 8, 2025 an above mentioned synagogue 🕍 (Congregation Beth El) in Rutherford, NJ was destroyed by fire shortly before 3:00 AM. The rabbi and all six family members managed to escape unharmed. Thus far it isn’t believed that the fire was arson caused.
