Four Years Since Poway: Antisemitism Steadily Grows

Four Years Since Poway: Antisemitism Steadily Grows

On April 27, 2019, on the last day of Passover, a gunman entered the Chabad of Poway synagogue and opened fire, killing one and wounding three. This heartbreaking and sickening event occurred exactly six months after the Pittsburgh synagogue massacre in which 11 people were killed and six injured in the deadliest attack against Jews ever to occur on U.S. soil.

Now, four years later, antisemitism continues to rise to levels not seen in decades. In fact, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reported that in 2021, 88 incidents of antisemitic assault against the Jewish community occurred, with 131 victims. In addition, the ADL tracked over 850 incidents of vandalism and over 1,775 incidents of harassment. Meanwhile, in 2021, according to the American Jewish Committee (AJC), 72% of American Jews reported that they feel less safe because of the horrific increase in attacks against Jews in our country.

These figures are more than statistics — they represent a deeply concerning upsurge in antisemitism not only in the United States but around the world. Christians must unite with our Jewish brothers and sisters to combat this evil scourge until it is no more.