PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Antisemitism in America is at record levels, according to a new report that finds acts of violence against Jewish people are up — especially in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
The Anti-Defamation League tracked 6,274 antisemitic incidents across the United States last year. That’s a decrease of about 2,000 compared to 2024, but it’s still the third highest total since tracking began in 1979. Harassment and vandalism were down from previous years, but physical attacks were at their highest.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania were among the top 10 states on the ADL’s list for antisemitic incidents last year, at numbers three and five, respectively.
“It doesn't spring relief when we look at the level of violence that has occurred in general, when we look at the level of threats to the Jewish community that have occurred,” said Andrew Goretsky, regional director of ADL Philadelphia. “It’s one of the reasons that we continue to put out this data.”
Most of Pennsylvania’s incidents happened in the state’s most populated cities.
“Philadelphia and Pittsburgh account for more than half of the incidents across Pennsylvania, with Philadelphia having 106 incidents and Pittsburgh having 43,” said Goretsky.
According to the ADL, 281 antisemitic incidents were reported across Pennsylvania in 2025, down 40% from the previous year. One, however, was an arson attack at the governor's mansion where Cody Balmer targeted Gov. Josh Shapiro and his family.
“Here is a Jewish governor and he was making accusations on his stance as it relates to Israel,” said Goretsky. “Given those components, it was considered an antisemitic attack in our audit.”
Incidents in New Jersey were down 4% in 2025, but still came in at 687, with most of them happening in North Jersey.
Three people were killed nationwide in antisemitic attacks in 2025, the first time since 2019, according to the ADL, that Jewish people were killed in those attacks. At least 300 physical assaults were found to have occurred across the U.S. Incidents on college campuses dropped last year, but are still about three times higher than in 2021.
The ADL has called on Congress to increase security funding for Jewish institutions and houses of worship.
New Jersey and Pennsylvania were among the top 10 states for antisemitic incidents in 2025
New Jersey and Pennsylvania were among the top 10 states for antisemitic incidents in 2025
