A new study shows that antisemitism is on the rise in the United States, and in the Tri-Counties. But, that comes as no surprise to Rabbi Michael Barclay, with Temple Temple Ner Simcha in Westlake Village.
"We have to have armed security, as well surveillance and cameras at every event our synagogue does," said Barclay. His home has been vandalized four times.
The Anti-Defamation League released its annual survey of anti-Semitic incidents in the Tri-Counties, and statewide Thursday. ADL officials say the results are disappointing.
"We unfortunately saw a very wide spread," said the ADL’s Laura Fennell.
She said nearly two dozen incidents were reported in 2022 on the Central and South Coasts. They were reported throughout the region, from Westlake Village to San Luis Obispo. Some examples include two cases reported in Ventura, five in Santa Barbara, and one in Goleta.
The incidents include things like vandalism, and the distribution of anti-Semitic hate flyers in neighborhoods with white supremacist group propaganda.
The ADL complies reports of incidents, which might not rise to the level of a crime, but still help illustrate the problem.
Fennell says that unfortunately, the numbers locally are also a reflection of a rise in antisemitism statewide, and nationally. California has had increases for the last seven years. She said the 2022 numbers are the highest ever for the state, as well as nationally.
The ADL was founded to take on the issue of antisemitism, but expanded years ago to address the universal issue of hate. The organization’s tag line is “Fighting Hate For Good.”
Rabbi Barclay said antisemitism is a real thing in the Conejo Valley, and he thinks it’s not who might expect behind some of it. He says the incidents involving his synagogue, and home aren't related to the KKK or white supremacists. He says in their case, it's been the far left.
But, how do you fight hate? She says the key is education. "We definitely prioritize our education for students...we want to reach people at a young age, when they are most vulnerable to bullying, and social pressures," said Fennell. "We also work very closely with law enforcement on trainings, to help them understand antisemitism."
