Survey finds antisemitism impacts daily life for two-thirds of US Jewish women

Nearly two-thirds of US Jewish women say they are impacted by antisemitism in their everyday lives, according to a report by Hadassah, The Women’s Zionist Organization of America.

The report, based on a survey of 1,000 Jewish women across the United States, found that 64 percent of women said antisemitism impacted their life, work, or relationships, and that 62% felt physically or psychologically unsafe.

The survey also found that 52% felt the need to hide their Jewish identity, 33% experienced hate speech, and 22% were excluded from groups or events because of their Jewish or Zionist identity.

“Now we know the heartbreaking truth [about antisemitism in America],” said Hadassah National President Carol Ann Schwartz. “Every day, Jewish women are suffering in silence, isolation and fear as they live in the shadows of hate.”

Since Hamas terrorists attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking 251 hostages, the threat of antisemitism in public schools has grown, leading many parents to enroll their children in Jewish day schools, the report said. Meanwhile, security costs for Jewish institutions have surged by an average of more than 50%.

The report shared stories of Jewish women being harassed, assaulted, isolated and excluded by peers.

“I was physically attacked at a rally and my Israeli flag was stolen and burnt in front of me,” said one respondent.

“Earlier this year, our house was egged on both the front and the side because we had a small flag in the front that said, ‘We Support Israel,’” said another respondent.

“Both of my kids faced antisemitism at school. One had pennies thrown at him and was told to go back to the ovens,” another said.

“When I go to shul (synagogue), I don’t sit by the door. I sit away from it and have a plan of escape,” another woman wrote.

The report concluded with stories of women who confronted hatred with resilience.

“My initial reaction was to be afraid and hide, but I thought about my relatives who were killed in the Holocaust and it empowered me to become a fighter instead,” reported one woman. “I’m still afraid, but I proudly wear my [Jewish] star, have Israeli and American flags in front of my house, and have a blue porch light on at night to show my support of Israel.”

Jewish communities in the US and around the world have seen a surge in antisemitic incidents since the Hamas onslaught and subsequent war in Gaza.