ADL is the premier organization monitoring, tracking and responding to anti-Semitism in the United States. Through our network of 25 regional offices, we are able to act quickly when anti-Semitism affects our cities, communities and campuses. We also expose anti-Semitic words and actions —some linked to deeply engrained, centuries-old anti-Jewish bias— wherever they manifest in society and across the political spectrum. Since 1964, ADL has periodically conducted detailed public opinion polls to track American and global attitudes toward Jews over time.
ADL’s Center on Extremism (COE) tracks anti-Semitic trends and other forms of hate every day. Its experts monitor extremist activity online and on the ground, and COE has issued numerous reports on key developments and trends in extremism and hate. From the far right and the far left and everything in between, ADL’s team of researchers also monitors anti-Semitism.
ADL’s most recent Audit of Anti-Semitic incidents in the United States recorded 1,879 acts in 2018, with a dramatic increase in physical assaults, including the deadliest attack on Jews in U.S. history. A wave of anti-Semitic robocalls targeted Jewish schools, JCCs and synagogues, and a significant number of incidents occurred at K-12 schools and on college campuses.
Assault, harassment and vandalism against Jews remain at near-historic levels in the U.S. The deadly attacks in synagogues in Pittsburgh and Poway have made American Jews feel more vulnerable than they have felt in decades.
After these and other recent shootings motivated by hate, ADL initiated, cosponsored or participated in rallies and vigils, and provided in-depth expertise to law enforcement and to the public. Following the attack on the three congregations sharing the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, ADL hosted a digital vigil so that people everywhere could stand in solidarity, and participated in a nationwide #SolidarityShabbat with partner organizations.
In August 2017, the country saw a disturbing manifestation of anti-Semitism at the alt right “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August 2017, where hundreds of marchers threw Nazi salutes, waved swastika flags and shouted “Seig Heil” And “Jews will not replace us!” ADL researchers identified more than 300 of the estimated 500-600 individuals who showed up to support the anti-Semitic and racist rally.
ADL actively monitors and responds to rhetoric and actions that invoke anti-Semitic tropes or marginalize or isolate Jews. We spoke out, for example when participants in the 2018 Chicago Dyke March said displays of Jewish symbols were taboo or when public figures falsely stated that Zionists cannot be feminists. ADL speaks out against anti-Jewish manifestations, and when criticism of Israel or Zionism crosses the line into anti-Semitism.
ADL tracks and analyzes cyberhate and develops new tools to fight it. A report released in May 2018 analyzing anti-Semitic speech on Twitter provided the first-ever snapshot of the trends and themes of anti-Semitism on the social media platform. Among the findings: at least 4.2 million anti-Semitic tweets were shared or re-shared on Twitter over a 12-month period.
ADL’s Center for Technology and Society (CTS) works in partnership with leading researchers, policy experts, and with the technology industry to help combat all forms of online hate and harassment. CTS commissions rigorous research and surveys the general public to quantify the scale of online hate. In addition, it advises policy teams at social media companies and provides training to trust and safety teams. ADL aims not only to understand the nature of new forms of online hate, but to provide reasonable recommendations, based on empirical evidence, to prevent the targeting of vulnerable communities on the Internet.
ADL’s Education Department provides programs, training and resources for grades pre K-12 and college and university settings. ADL’s anti-bias and bullying prevention programs help students and educators understand and challenge bias, and empower them to stand up to anti-Semitism. Programs and resources for high school and college students help them to identify anti-Semitism, and when anti-Israel expressions cross the line into anti-Semitism, and to develop best proactive and reactive practices and responses.
