Report: Antisemitism rising in Kentucky since October

Frankfort, Ky (WTVQ):  The Kentucky Jewish Council presented their second annual antisemitism report to legislators and state leaders today at the capitol expressing concerns of rising violations, especially on college campuses.

Rabbi Shlomo Litvin, he Chairmen of the Council, says up until October of last year the report looked far better than in 2022, but all that changed when “a band of vile terrorist crossed the border into Israel murdering 1,200 people taking 240 hostages including a dozen Americans, some who are still being held today.” He was referring to the horrific October 7th Massacre that marked the start of the Israel Hamas War.” This year was the bloodiest in Jewish history since the Holocaust,” Litvin said.

The report includes several incidents including threats to synagogues, white supremacist flyers disbursed, and hate rallies. Litvin says what’s most concerning however is the hate he has seen on college campuses.

“The idea that a Jewish student wouldn’t feel secure going to class, wouldn’t feel secure sleeping in a dorm, would have to consider is this a program I want to go to, do I want to hide my Jewish start necklace with a yam Makah on my head, do I want to light the menorah?” Litvin ask. “Both here in the Commonwealth and across the country. And a tremendous rise in threats hateful comments and unhinged antisemitism on social media.”

The report shows there were 30 anti-Semitic events in Kentucky in 2022. While last year there were more than 30 between October and the end of the year.

According to Litvin, the virtual world playing a large role in the problem. “We have seen a 400% increase especially among young people directly linked to antisemitism on X, on TikTok and other social medias.”

This report most importantly spreads awareness to antisemitism. “I think that it’s a message that needs to be heard on a college campus. It needs to be heard throughout our commonwealth. It’s incredibly important as we saw today for leaders to say this does not represent Kentucky.”

 In total, the report listed more than 50 antisemitic incidents for 2023.