Source: KCTV5
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – More than half of American Jews are taking off religious jewelry, skipping events, and censoring themselves on social media to avoid becoming targets of antisemitism.
This, according to a new survey from the American Jewish Committee.
The survey found that 55% of Jewish Americans are hiding their identity in public to feel safe, a stark illustration of how concerns about antisemitism are reshaping daily life for millions.
The extent of the self-censorship goes beyond simply avoiding religious symbols. Many are changing where they go, what they wear, and what they post online out of fear of harassment or worse.
“People who know someone Jewish are much more likely to recognize anti-Semitism, to understand its growth, to know how to respond,” said Neta Meltzer, Executive Director of the Jewish Community Relations Bureau. “All it takes is to know somebody and to have a relationship with somebody.”
That insight has guided community organizations for decades. In Kansas City, the Jewish Community Relations Bureau has been working to bridge divides and connect people from different backgrounds for more than 80 years, building relationships that researchers say may be key to combating antisemitism.
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The bureau’s long-term approach reflects a broader strategy: fostering understanding and connection across communities as an antidote to prejudice and hate.