A survey released this week by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) found that ultra-Orthodox Jews are the most vulnerable group among US Jews.
Thirty-nine percent of ultra-Orthodox Jews reported experiencing antisemitic attacks, compared to 26 percent of Jews from other faiths and 19 percent of secular Jews.
Among ultra-Orthodox respondents, 82% noted increased security measures in their community institutions. This figure was 69% among representatives of other movements and 45% among non-religious Jews. However, nearly one in four (22%) expressed feeling unsafe while in a Jewish institution.
Last year, 89% of those surveyed considered antisemitism a serious problem in the United States. This year, that number increased to 93%. Additionally, 78% reported feeling less safe since the start of Operation Iron Swords.
For the first time, the American Jewish Committee studied attacks on Jewish businesses. Among ultra-Orthodox respondents, 33% reported antisemitic attacks on their congregational establishments in the past 5 years, compared to 17% among secularists.
The survey, conducted by the independent public opinion research institute SSRS and commissioned by the American Jewish Committee, included a representative sample of 1,528 Jewish American respondents aged 18 years or older. The telephone and online survey was conducted from October 5 to November 21, 2023.
