San Diego County Sees Surge in Antisemitism: Community Rallies for Change

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)—A new regional alliance has come together to combat antisemitism and aims to engage more members of the community as part of its efforts toward making a difference.

It recently came out as report from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in San Diego reveals a significant increase in antisemitic events across the region. According to an ADL report, there was a 28% surge in antisemitism in 2024 compared to the previous year.

In this case, harassment has increased by 19%, vandalism by 67%, and assault by 100%. Additionally, colleges experienced one of the most significant rises in such events — with an increase of 125%.

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"People are scribbling messages on the pavements outside our playgrounds, places where children of all backgrounds play—not only Jewish kids—such as remarks referring to Jews as baby killers and denigrating them," stated Betzy Lynch, who serves as the CEO of the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center (JCC).

Lynch's personal narrative includes chapters characterized by antisemitism, with numerous events occurring at the facility based in La Jolla.

We create a Jewish community for all types of individuals," Lynch went on. "Over 40 percent of those who utilize the JCC and participate in these experiences belong to faiths other than Jewish.

Hosting Shabbat dinners with churches is one method through which the JCC introduces individuals to Jewish culture; however, this practice is sparking worry due to an emerging tendency.

"What we've observed in recent years is that antisemitism often comes with malicious intent," stated Lynch.

Fabienne Perquin, ADL's regional director, states that Jewish students frequently become targets.

"Accusing them based on what the Israeli government could be doing or because of their policies, or holding them responsible simply for backing the existence of the State of Israel," Perlov clarified.

He states that false information spreads on the internet.

"Holocaust jokes are being circulated by your contemporaries, along with conspiracy theories regarding Jewish influence," he went on to say.

Sadly, what occurs online has the potential to spur actions in the physical world.

Perlov informed FOX 5/KUSI, “Unfortunately, we witnessed it a couple of years back at the Chabad in San Diego.”

Instead of succumbing to fear, members of the Jewish community are urging others to join them in understanding their experiences and work towards making changes.

"There's immense power in possessing such friendships, and this is precisely what this coalition aims to achieve," said Lynch.

If you encounter or suffer from antisemitism, report it. Report it to the ADL. The group provides further details on ways to help combat antisemitism on the internet .

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