Orthodox Jews claim anti-Semitism on the rise in wake of measles outbreak
Orthodox Jews in Rockland County claim there's a rise in anti-Semitism over misperceptions about who's responsible for the measles outbreak.
Shoshana Berstein, of Monsey, says because of the discrimination she created a bumper sticker that says "I vaccinate."
The claims of discrimination come as the number of measles cases in the county continue to grow, with most cases originating in Orthodox communities.
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MORE: Officials: Anti-vaccine propaganda among reasons for quick spread of measles
MORE: Rockland County Executive Day reissues measles emergency order
Couny Legislator Aron Wieder says he's never seen so much anti-Semitism as there is now.
"The perception out there is that Orthodox Jews don't vaccinate, not themselves or their children," says Wieder. "And that is absolutely false."
Wieder says the misperception has spurred a level of discrimination that Jews haven't seen since the Holocaust. He says people don't want to share parks or even sidewalks with Orthodox Jews. Some companies are even boycotting Orthodox businesses.
Rabbi Jeremy Ruberg, of New City, says people shouldn't assume because someone is wearing a yamaka that they don't vaccinate their children.
There are now 224 confirmed cases of measles in Rockland. That's up almost 10 cases in just one week.