The Jewish community in the United States is grappling with heightened anxiety following a series of violent antisemitic attacks, including a recent incident in Boulder, Colorado, where a man used a makeshift flamethrower to assault a crowd of Jewish Americans.
Rabbi Noah Farkas, president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, expressed the community’s fear in the wake of this violence, which coincided with the celebration of Shavuot, a holiday that commemorates the giving of the Ten Commandments to the Israelites at Mt. Sinai.
Farkas articulated how shocking it is that those intent on causing harm are developing new and alarming methods to attack the Jewish community.
In the Boulder incident, twelve individuals aged 52 to 88 suffered burns after the assailant, identified as Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, hurled Molotov cocktails during a peaceful demonstration advocating for Israeli hostages in Gaza.
Eyewitness accounts reveal that the attacker shouted “Free Palestine!”—a rallying cry shared by the suspect involved in the May 21 shooting of two Israeli Embassy aides near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C.
The recent incidents have left many Jewish Americans on edge, particularly given their occurrence amid a national surge in antisemitic violence.
This wave of violence follows a series of alarming events, including an arson attack against the residence of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, who is Jewish, further unsettling the Jewish community.
Brian Levin, a leading expert on hate crimes and professor emeritus at Cal State San Bernardino, noted that America is currently experiencing a new era of antisemitic violence that raises significant national security concerns regarding the protection of Jewish communities.
According to Levin, FBI data indicates that antisemitic hate crimes reached unprecedented levels in 2023 and are expected to continue increasing into 2024, with a staggering rise of 63% reported in 2023, totaling 1,832 incidents.
While anti-Muslim hate crimes rose by 18% in major U.S. cities, antisemitic incidents have now trended upward for four consecutive years, marking a 12% increase from the previous year.
Levin described the escalating pattern of violent attacks, emphasizing that antisemitic crime has shifted from property damage to more lethal confrontations.
He pointed out that in recent years, there has been an increase in mass casualty attacks, highlighting the immediate need for heightened awareness and protection for Jewish communities across the nation.
The context of these attacks is further complicated by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as United Nations officials stress that Palestinians face worsening famine conditions due to Israel’s prolonged military action against Hamas militants.
Recently, Israel paused its blockade to allow a limited quantity of food into Gaza, an effort aimed at preventing mass starvation and mitigating a significant humanitarian crisis.
However, reports indicate that violence continues to escalate, with health officials in Gaza recently reporting over 30 fatalities and numerous injuries when chaos erupted during an aid distribution.
Disputes surfaced around the circumstances of the casualties, with witnesses claiming Israeli forces fired on crowds seeking assistance, a claim the Israeli military vehemently denied.
Levin attributed the alarming rise in attacks in the U.S. to several factors, including the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the rise of unregulated online discourse.
Social media, he noted, plays a pivotal role in amplifying disturbing imagery and hateful narratives, allowing angry individuals to channel their aggression into antisemitism and violence against the Jewish community.
In Los Angeles, the atmosphere was somber on the first day of Shavuot, as many Jewish families participated in services amid increased security measures at local synagogues and community centers.
The closed kosher establishments and armed guards present highlight the prevailing fear within the community as members attempt to navigate their religious observance.
Despite the backdrop of violence, some members of the community expressed their resolve to maintain their traditions.
A young Orthodox man named Laser shared that he carried a prayer shawl to his service, reflecting on the joy of the holiday while acknowledging the rising threats.
While he was concerned about the attack in Colorado, he stated that fear had become a part of their reality, particularly since the events of October 7.
Inside Tiferet Teman Synagogue, a congregant declined to discuss the recent attack, emphasizing a desire to keep politics out of religious observance.
Others chose to forgo media attention, indicating a sense of unease and an attempt to focus on the spiritual significance of the holiday.
Despite the threats, community members remained committed to prayer and solidarity.
An unnamed Iranian Jewish man reflected on the perpetual need for vigilance, expressing a lifelong awareness of potential violence against their community regardless of location.
Notably, Noa Tishby, an Israeli-born author, highlighted how fear has led many Jewish people to conceal their identities.
She noted that individuals are increasingly removing signs of their Jewish identity, such as mezuzahs and Stars of David, due to safety concerns, and emphasized the feeling of being besieged.
Tishby further argued that antisemitism has transformed into a more insidious form of anti-Zionism, suggesting that the two terms are often used interchangeably in current discourse.
Local leaders, including L.A. Mayor Karen Bass, condemned the attack, denouncing it as an affront to the community’s social fabric.
Mayor Bass has announced plans for an emergency meeting to discuss safety measures for houses of worship and community centers across Los Angeles.
In her statement, she affirmed that the Los Angeles Police Department would conduct extra patrols in Jewish neighborhoods and assured the community that antisemitism would not be tolerated.
Following her conversation with Bass, Rabbi Farkas indicated plans to meet with the mayor to discuss antisemitism directly, addressing the need for a frank dialogue about the safety of Jewish populations.
“We endure cycles of heartbreak while questioning the commitment of our community and government to our safety,” Farkas lamented.
These incidents reflect a broader concern that transcends temporary violence, digging deep into the psyche of Jewish Americans who are facing an increasingly hostile environment.
As the Jewish community observes traditions amid a backdrop of fear and uncertainty, the dialogue surrounding safety, support, and the future of Jewish identities remains ever more critical.
image source from：https://www.latimes.com/story/2025-06-02/violent-attacks-target-jews-heightens-tensions
