US Jews increasingly conceal identity due to rising antisemitism: survey

A recent survey conducted by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) revealed alarming statistics about the prevalence of antisemitism among American Jews. The survey found that 57% of Jewish Americans experienced antisemitism in the past year, equating to approximately 3.3 million Jewish adults and 250,000 children living in affected households.

The rise in antisemitism has led many Jewish individuals to conceal their identity out of fear. Thirty-eight percent of respondents reported hiding items that identify them as Jewish, while 32% avoid posting Jewish-related content online. Additionally, 23% said they have skipped Jewish events or observances due to safety concerns.

CAM’s president of US affairs, Alyza D. Lewin, emphasized that antisemitism is a daily reality for many Jewish Americans. The survey also highlighted strong support for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of antisemitism, with 71% of respondents agreeing that it accurately describes antisemitism.

The survey, conducted by Dr. Ira Sheskin of the University of Miami and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago, revealed that 58% of respondents feel less safe than they did a year ago. Fifty-nine percent reported encountering antisemitic content online, and 47% heard antisemitic tropes. Ten percent said they had personally experienced antisemitic content directed at them.

The survey found that antisemitism was most frequently reported by Jewish individuals who visibly express their Jewish identity or participate in Jewish communal life. CAM’s special representative on international affairs, Aaron Keyak, stressed the need for a bipartisan response to address the threat of antisemitism and make American Jews safer.

Among other findings, 8% of respondents said they had been physically threatened or attacked due to their Jewish identity, while 36% reported seeing anti-Jewish graffiti or vandalism in their area. Additionally, 36% said they had heard antisemitic slurs or jokes from colleagues or neighbors. However, 40% of respondents noted that a non-Jewish person had expressed solidarity with them.

This survey follows a previous CAM study conducted in 2024, providing a benchmark for measuring changes in antisemitic experiences among American Jews. Experts in combating antisemitism gathered at the JNS 2026 International Policy Summit in Jerusalem to discuss strategies for addressing the surge in antisemitism following a tragic event in southern Israel.