In a notable week for record-breaking events, the 2024 Boston Marathon showcased exceptional athletic achievements while also highlighting troubling societal trends.
John Korir of Kenya triumphed in the men’s race, making headlines as he became part of a historic accomplishment. He is now the first sibling to win the nation’s premier road race, following in the footsteps of his brother Wesley, who won the marathon in 2012.
On the women’s side, Sharon Lokedi, also from Kenya, not only clinched victory but also set a new course record. She finished ahead of Hellen Obiri, the defending champion, who was aiming to secure her third consecutive win—a feat not accomplished by any woman since 1999.
While the marathon brought moments of celebration for many, it also served as a stark backdrop to a grim report released by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) regarding antisemitic incidents in New England.
The year 2024 marked an alarming fifth consecutive increase in recorded antisemitic incidents across the region, with a total of 638 events, including assaults, harassment, and vandalism.
This total surpassed the 2023 count of 623 incidents and represented a dramatic increase from 109 incidents recorded in 2020.
Samantha Joseph, the ADL’s regional director, emphasized that this trend reminds us that antisemitism’s impact on communities is deeply entrenched, calling the rise of attacks against Orthodox Jews particularly distressing.
In Massachusetts, the situation is dire—the state documented 438 antisemitic incidents in the last year, earning it the fifth-highest total nationwide, following New York, California, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.
This figure marks a staggering 188% increase from 2022, when only 152 incidents were recorded, and is essentially unchanged from the previous year’s total of 439 incidents.
Among the reported incidents in Massachusetts, 276 were categorized as harassment, 157 were incidents of vandalism—an 11% increase from 141 incidents in 2023—and five were classified as assaults.
Out of the state’s 351 cities and towns, 108 reported at least one antisemitic incident, with Boston alone logging 96 such occurrences.
The ADL noted a worrying trend in the targeting of Orthodox Jews, with 12 specific incidents of harassment reported, compared to just four in the entire region the previous year.
A particularly disturbing account involved a man verbally assaulting a Jewish child while shopping with his mother at a kosher grocery store, hurling anti-Jewish slurs.
The university settings, typically considered bastions of learning and diversity, were not immune to these incidents. New England’s college campuses were sites of 151 antisemitic incidents last year, up from 81 in 2023 and a marked increase from just 15 incidents reported in 2022.
This increase coincided with a surge in campus protests tied to Israel’s ongoing conflict with Hamas, with several student organizations receiving threatening emails.
While the ADL clarified that it does not conflate criticism of Israel with antisemitism and does not include legitimate political activism in its audit, the timing of the rise in antisemitic incidents suggests a troubling correlation.
Notably, antisemitic incidents have also taken place beyond campuses, impacting public parks, businesses, and private residences.
For example, in October 2023, two Jewish worshippers had to abandon a rideshare after being harangued for their religious practices by someone claiming they were part of a “terrorist Israel institution.”
In response to these challenges, antisemitism commissions at both state and federal levels have been formed, aiming to address the issues with varying degrees of success. However, critics argue that some of these efforts undermine the rule of law and academic freedom.
Recent headlines further underscored the seriousness of antisemitism in the U.S. A lone attacker set fire to the official residence of Pennsylvania’s Jewish governor, Josh Shapiro, as he and his family celebrated Passover, reinforcing the notion that antisemitism is a growing concern.
As political dynamics shift and antisemitic sentiments rise, particularly among younger Americans, the question remains—how can we effectively combat one of history’s oldest hate crimes?
Efforts are being made, such as those from the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, which was founded by Robert Kraft, the owner of the New England Patriots.
Through media campaigns, partnerships, and public education initiatives, the organization aims to motivate Americans to confront antisemitism.
The blue squares seen on Kraft’s lapel symbolize a rallying point for this mission, aiming to raise awareness that any form of hate contributes to a broader culture of intolerance.
Kraft articulated the foundation’s objective, stating, “Our mission is to educate and inspire unengaged Americans to stand up to Jewish hate by recognizing that hate of any kind increases hate of all kinds.”
While the Boston Marathon showcased moments of joy and achievement, it stands in contrast to the worsening climate of hate reflected in the recent ADL report.
In the hope that the focus will eventually shift back to celebrating positive records, the goal remains clear: to strive for a society where everyone can commemorate their victories without the shadow of hate looming large.
image source from：https://www.masslive.com/politics/2025/04/adl-mass-set-new-record-for-antisemitic-incidents-in-2024-john-l-micek.html
