90% of Jews Feel Less Safe After Major Antisemitic Incidents

New survey reveals Jewish Americans changing behavior due to fear of antisemitism

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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A new study by the American Jewish Committee found that 90% of Jewish Americans feel less safe after three major antisemitic attacks in 2025, including the firebombing of a governor's home, a shooting at a Jewish museum, and an assault on a Jewish protest group. The survey also found that over 50% of Jews have avoided publicly displaying their Jewish identity out of fear, and 30% have avoided certain places or events due to safety concerns.

Why it matters

The findings highlight the growing sense of insecurity and fear within the Jewish American community following a series of high-profile antisemitic incidents. The survey results raise concerns about the impact of antisemitism on Jewish people's daily lives and their ability to freely express their identity.

The details

The AJC survey, conducted in October 2025, polled 1,222 Jewish and 1,033 non-Jewish Americans about their attitudes towards antisemitism. The survey found that 31% of Jewish Americans said they were the target of an antisemitic incident in 2025, including physical attacks, remarks, vandalism, and online harassment. However, the report notes that antisemitism is likely underreported, with only 23% of victims saying they reported the incident.

  • The survey was conducted in October 2025.
  • The three major antisemitic incidents referenced occurred in April, May, and June of 2025.

The players

Dov Wilker

The American Jewish Committee's Atlanta regional director and vice president of advocacy and innovation.

Josh Shapiro

The governor of Pennsylvania whose home was firebombed in April 2025.

Sarah Milgrim

A 26-year-old Jewish American staffer at the Israeli Embassy who was shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. in May 2025.

Yaron Lischinsky

The 30-year-old partner of Sarah Milgrim who was also shot and killed outside the Capital Jewish Museum in May 2025.

Karen Diamond

An 82-year-old Jewish woman who died after an assault on a Jewish protest group in Boulder, Colorado in June 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The overall majority of Jews feel less safe. We're experiencing antisemitism in person and we're seeing it online, and therefore we're changing our behavior. The pattern is quite clear about how this impacts us.”

— Dov Wilker, American Jewish Committee Atlanta regional director and vice president of advocacy and innovation (roughdraftatlanta.com)

“Reporting incidents can be defeating because people feel like, 'What are the authorities going to do about it?' This leads to an underreporting of antisemitism – perhaps even within our own data.”

— Dov Wilker, American Jewish Committee Atlanta regional director and vice president of advocacy and innovation (roughdraftatlanta.com)

What’s next

The American Jewish Committee plans to continue monitoring antisemitism trends and advocating for increased security and support for the Jewish community.

The takeaway

The survey findings underscore the significant impact that high-profile antisemitic incidents can have on the Jewish American community, leading to widespread feelings of insecurity and changes in daily behavior. This highlights the need for continued vigilance, reporting, and action to address the growing problem of antisemitism in the United States.