MILWAUKEE — Wisconsin’s number of reported antisemitic incidents rose again for the eighth consecutive year, marking a cumulative increase of 570% since 2015, according to the 2023 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents released in June by the Jewish Community Relations Council of Milwaukee Jewish Federation.
There was a 13% uptick in reported antisemitic incidents between 2022 and 2023, including a 257% increase in harassment and assaults.
The report, which also reflects a 433% increase in Jewish institutions being targeted, was slated to be discussed at the JCRC’s annual meeting on June 27, after Chronicle press time. The meeting was to be headlined by Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson.
The terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel appeared to have had a direct impact on the rise of antisemitic incidents in Wisconsin, such as those on college campuses: 64% of incidents occurred post-Oct. 7.
“Antisemitism is hatred against members of the Jewish community because of an immutable characteristic of identifying as a Jew,” said Roberta S. Clark, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council. “It is disheartening to see the continued rise in antisemitic incidents. The large increase in incidents since the Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel has had negative implications around the world, including in our state. Our JCRC’s work confirming this information is needed to help us educate and advocate not only for the State of Israel and its right to exist as the Jewish homeland, but for all Jews throughout the world.”
Each reported incident is corroborated and reviewed. The audit is reviewed by the JCRC’s Antisemitism & Constitutional Law Task Force and the JCRC Board before the final approval process of the JCRC Community Council. The final audit is based on 114 reported and corroborated incidents that devastatingly reflect the eighth consecutive year of elevated incidents.
“We continue to be alarmed by the sharp rise in antisemitism, but we are heartened by the many in Wisconsin who have reached out and asked to understand how they can support the Jewish community and combat antisemitism,” said Miryam Rosenzweig, president and CEO of Milwaukee Jewish Federation. “We know that antisemitism often appears differently than other forms of hate and therefore goes unnoticed and unchecked. Therefore, we are committed to providing support to schools, businesses, and organizations to help educate on the shape-shifting antisemitism and how it looks today, an overview of Jewish identity, history and antisemitism for DEI professionals, and tools for businesses and schools to respond to their employees and students when addressing antisemitic incidents.”
The JCRC works year-round to respond to and prevent incidents through ongoing interfaith and intercultural relations, ongoing efforts fighting bigotry against all people and corporate DEI talks, according to a news release. The organization strongly encourages individuals and institutions to report all incidents and ensures full confidentiality.
Report online at MilwaukeeJewish.org/Antisemitism; email JCRC@MilwaukeeJewish.org or call the JCRC at 414-390-5724
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Antisemitism in Wisconsin
From 2022 to 2023
Harassment/Threats/Assaults: +257% increase
Holocaust/Nazi References: +51% increase
Jewish Institutions targeted: +433% increase
Youth Involvement: +100% increase
Conspiracy Theories: -40% decrease
Expression: -24% decrease
Source: Jewish Community Relations Council of Milwaukee Jewish Federation
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