TRENTON, N.J. — New Jersey recorded the third-highest number of antisemitic incidents in the nation in 2025, according to a new Anti-Defamation League audit that described rising violence against Jewish Americans as part of a “new and darker normal.”
The ADL’s annual report found 687 antisemitic incidents were reported across New Jersey last year, including a record number of physical assaults and a sharp increase in vandalism targeting Jewish individuals, synagogues, schools, and community institutions.
While the total number of incidents in the state declined slightly from 719 in 2024, the report showed more serious and violent incidents continued rising.
Physical assaults increased from 17 to 20 statewide — the highest level ever recorded in New Jersey by the organization.
ADL Warns Antisemitism Turning Increasingly Violent
The national civil rights organization said antisemitic activity across the United States reached alarming levels in 2025, with incidents averaging roughly 17 per day nationwide.
“Our 2025 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents in the U.S. revealed 2025 was one of the most violent years for American Jews,” the ADL said in a statement posted Wednesday.
“For the first time since 2022, antisemitism incidents turned deadly. This is a new and darker normal that should not be acceptable.”
The ADL did not immediately release a state-by-state ranking list alongside the social media statement, but New Jersey’s total incident count placed it among the nation’s highest-reporting states.
According to the report, harassment remained the most common category of antisemitic activity in New Jersey, though incidents in that category declined 12% to 422 cases.
At the same time, vandalism incidents climbed 11% to 245 statewide.
Key Points
• New Jersey recorded 687 antisemitic incidents in 2025, according to the ADL
• Physical assaults rose to a record-high 20 incidents statewide
• Vandalism targeting Jewish institutions and individuals increased 11%
Jewish Leaders Raise Alarm Over Assaults and Vandalism
Shlomo Schorr, New Jersey director for Agudath Israel of America, highlighted the report’s findings while warning that violent antisemitic activity continues escalating despite the slight drop in total incidents.
“The total number of reported anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey declined slightly in 2025, though reports of assault and vandalism both rose,” Schorr wrote in response to the ADL findings.
The report documented incidents ranging from graffiti and property destruction to physical attacks and harassment targeting Jewish residents.
Jewish organizations nationwide have repeatedly warned that antisemitic rhetoric, threats, and intimidation have intensified following geopolitical conflicts overseas and increasing polarization online.
New Jersey’s large Jewish population has made the state particularly sensitive to rising hate crime concerns.
National Concerns Intensify Over Hate Crimes
The ADL’s annual audit has become one of the country’s most closely watched tracking systems for antisemitic activity.
The organization collects data from law enforcement agencies, media reports, victim accounts, and partner organizations to document incidents involving harassment, vandalism, and violence.
Nationally, the ADL warned that antisemitism has become increasingly normalized in public discourse and online spaces.
The organization said 2025 marked one of the most dangerous periods for Jewish Americans in recent years, particularly as violent incidents increased.
State and federal law enforcement agencies have also expanded monitoring of hate crimes and threats directed at religious institutions following multiple high-profile attacks nationwide over the past several years.
Debate Continues Over Causes Behind Rising Incidents
The increase in antisemitic activity has fueled broader political debate over extremism, campus protests, online radicalization, and public safety.
Jewish advocacy groups have called for stronger enforcement of hate crime laws, increased security funding for religious institutions, and more aggressive responses to antisemitic threats.
Civil rights organizations have also urged public officials to condemn antisemitic rhetoric regardless of political affiliation or ideology.
Despite the slight year-over-year decline in New Jersey’s overall incident count, Jewish leaders said the rise in violent assaults and vandalism remains deeply concerning.
The ADL warned that continued normalization of antisemitism could further increase risks to Jewish communities unless political leaders, schools, law enforcement, and civic organizations respond aggressively.
