Federation releases new antisemitic incident reporting tool

The Milwaukee area has experienced a staggering 570% increase in reported antisemitic incidents since 2015, according to Milwaukee Jewish Federation.  

Nationally, the Anti-Defamation League has confirmed 10,000 antisemitic incidents since Oct. 7, 2023, and the FBI confirmed that members of the Jewish community are targets of more than 60% of religiously motivated hate crimes in their 2023 hate crime data. The number one priority of the Milwaukee Jewish Federation is to maintain the highest level of security for members of the Jewish community, and to this end the Federation is pleased to announce the latest release of its updated antisemitic incident tracking tool, according to a press release.  

The Federation maintains data on antisemitic issues and incidents, as well as security concerns, for Jewish community members living throughout Wisconsin. The information is analyzed and used as a tool to help determine ways in which the Federation can best ensure safety for members of the Jewish community and respond to issues of concern. 

For members of the Jewish community to pursue their Jewish identities via worship, education, and social gatherings, we must ensure that Jewish organizations and gatherings have the highest level of security policies and procedures in place, according to the Federation.  

The Federation is asking members of the community to submit reports regarding any security concerns for members of the Jewish community or towards Jewish organizations, as well as allegations of antisemitic, anti-Israel/anti-Zionist incidents towards Jewish organizations throughout the state of Wisconsin. 

Here are some notes on that: 

1. A security concern refers to any hateful or dangerous action that you believe is directed towards you or a Jewish organization. 

2. Antisemitism is identified as hatred toward someone who is Jewish, identifies Jewishly, is perceived as Jewish, or is part of a Jewish home, regardless of an individual’s self-identification within the Jewish community. 

3. Anti-Israel and Anti-Zionist incidents refer to words or actions which seek to destroy Israel as the Jewish homeland and/or blame all Jews for decisions made by the Israeli government. This is not the forum for complaining about those who disagree about Israeli policies or politics, which falls under free speech and freedom of expression. 

Complainants can submit their concerns one of three ways: email (security@milwaukeejewish.org), phone call (414-967- SAFE) or online incident intake form (milwaukeejewish.org/report-incident). 

While confirmed antisemitic incidents are included in an annual statewide antisemitic audit, complainant’s names remain confidential; names and identifying details will not be publicly shared. As a reminder, if you believe your or someone else’s life is in danger, or that a crime has been committed, please call 9-1-1 immediately to report the incident to law enforcement. 

* * *

How to report
You can submit concerns in one of three ways:

1. Email (security@milwaukeejewish.org)
2. Phone call (414-967-SAFE)
3. Online incident intake form (milwaukeejewish.org/report-incident)

If you believe your or someone else’s life is in danger, or that a crime has been committed, please call 9-1-1 immediately to report the incident to law enforcement.