ADL report shows 'deeply concerning' rise in antisemitic incidents
Data shows an alarming rise in antisemitism here in the Hudson Valley and across the country.
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Data shows an alarming rise in antisemitism in the Hudson Valley and across the country.
Lauren Pepper's grandfather was a Holocaust survivor.
"He had been in labor camps initially, he was sent to death camps which he escaped from," says Pepper.
She holds a picture of him close at her family's business, Monsey Service Station.
She says keeping this memory alive is especially important right now.
"This year is the highest on record that we've ever encountered and it's the highest by a lot," says Scott Richman the regional director for the ADL's New York/New Jersey office.
New data from the Anti-Defamation League shows a nearly 893% increase in antisemitic incidents across the U.S. over the last 10 years.
In just one year in Westchester County, these incidents went up by 157%.
In Rockland County, they're up about 61%.
"It was very disheartening to read, I think anybody who reads it will be disgusted," Pepper tells News 12.
Pepper isn't entirely surprised.
Some of those incidents happened at her family's business.
It all started when she put up an Israeli flag last year.
"We've had dead fish thrown at our door, we've had swastikas spray painted on the sidewalks," says Pepper.
Just two weeks ago, security footage shows someone yanking down a U.S.-Israeli flag out front.
Despite all of this, Pepper stays strong. She says it's important for the community to come together and stand against all hate.
"That's why we can't forget. It is so important to keep teaching about the Holocaust and keep teaching about hatred in general," says Pepper.
Read the report from the ADL here: Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2024 | ADL
