By David McMillan, Teri Borowitz & Lynn Schroehmann; Dec 27th, 2004
ADL surveys on
anti-Semitic attitudes find increase in "hardcore" beliefs in both America and
Europe.
A nationwide survey released recently by the Anti-Defamation League shows an
increase in the number of Americans with anti-Semitic attitudes, reversing a
ten-year decline and raising concerns that "an undercurrent of Jewish hatred
persists in America."
The national poll of 1,000 American adults conducted April 26 through May 6,
2002 found that 17% of Americans - or about 35 million adults - hold views about
Jews that are "unquestionably anti-Semitic." Previous surveys commissioned by
ADL over the last decade had indicated that anti-Semitism was in decline. A
survey of attitudes four years ago found that the number of Americans with
hardcore anti-Semitic beliefs had dropped from 20% in 1992, to 12% in 1998.
17% of Americans
35% of Hispanics
44% of foreign-born Hispanics
20% of Hispanic Americans born in U.S.
35% of African-Americans
3% of U.S. college and university students
Anti-Semitism among foreign-born Hispanics is extremely high. The survey
uncovered that Hispanic Americans who were born outside of the U.S. are much
more likely than Hispanics born in the U.S to hold anti-Semitic views.
In the wake of a wave of anti-Semitic violence in Europe not seen since the end
of World War II, an ADL opinion survey found 30% of Europeans cling to
traditional anti-Jewish stereotypes, while 62% believe the recent violence
against Jews is the result of anti-Israel sentiment.
European Attitudes Towards Jews, Israel and the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, a
survey of 2,500 -- 500 each in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany and the United
Kingdom -- was conducted by telephone in the native language of each of the
countries May 16-June 4, 2002 by First International Resources for ADL.
Of the Europeans surveyed:
30% harbor traditional anti-Semitic stereotypes.
45% believe Jews are more loyal to Israel than their own country.
30% believe that Jews have too much power in the business world.
19% say Jews don't care about anyone but their own kind.
16% say Jews are more willing than others to use shady practices to get what
they want.
39% of Europeans believe Jews still talk too much about the Holocaust.
Compared to the American survey, 17% of Americans were found to hold strong
anti-Semitic views, 33% believe Jews are more loyal to Israel, 24% believe Jews
have too much power in the business world, 16% say Jews don't care about anyone
but themselves, 19% believe Jews are more willing to use shady practices. The
American survey did not ask about the Holocaust.
Coinciding with the rise in anti-Semitic attitudes, ADL released the most recent
statistics on anti-Semitic incidents in the U.S. ADL's Audit of Anti-Semitic
Incidents reported an 11 % increase in the number of anti-Jewish incidents
during the first five months of 2002, compared with the same period in 2001.
Complete surveys on anti-Semitism in the US and in Europe and the full text of
the 2002 Audit of Anti-Semitic Events can be found on the ADL website at
www.adl.org.
ADL sponsors Shylock
St. Louis theatergoers will have a very special opportunity to experience Gareth
Armstrong as writer and actor in Shylock, a study in anti-Semitism as seen
through the eyes of the only two Jewish characters in all of Shakespeare's
literature: Shylock and his friend Tubal from the Merchant of Venice. ADL Patron
tickets ($60) will include a post-performance dessert and dialogue with the
actor.
Seating is limited and only ADL Patrons will be admitted to the Dessert and
Dialogue with the actor/playwright. For date, curtain time, location, and to
purchase nonrefundable patron tickets, please contact the ADL office: 10420 Old
Olive; St. Louis, MO, 63141. Charge by phone: 314-432-6868.
Gareth Armstrong incorporates research on anti-Semitism into Shylock
While playing the character Shylock in a production of the Royal Shakespeare
Company's Merchant of Venice, Welsh actor Gareth Armstrong was profoundly
affected by what he had learned in his research. Shakespeare, who may have never
met a Jew, created one of the theatre's most controversial characters. Through
his research, Armstrong discovered the long history of European anti-Semitism
and has incorporated it into his one man show.
As he uncovered the extent and horror of Jewish persecution through the
millennia he felt compelled to write a play that depicted the torturous role of
Shylock and the Jew throughout European history. The result is Shylock, a
one-man show that takes the audience on an enlightening journey through The
Merchant on Venice, into the intimacy of the famous character and on a galloping
ride through the rabid anti-Semitism of Shakespeare's Europe.
This is all accomplished through the eyes of the character Tubal, Shylock's
friend and Shakespeare's only other Jewish male character.
Armstrong's one-man show has played to sell-out audiences all over the world
since he first performed at the Edinburgh Festival in 1998.
ADL helps youth tackle a difficult issue
Over the past nine years, the Confronting Anti-Semitism Project (CAS) has
involved hundreds of students in its effort to empower the Jewish community to
identify and respond to acts of anti-Semitism by challenging the anti-Semitic
stereotypes that are at the root of these acts.
United Hebrew, Shaare Emeth, B'nai Amoona and Central Reform Congregation have
all participated in the CAS program, which recently expanded out of state to
include Temple B'nai Jeshurun in Des Moines, Iowa.
CAS Programs, which take place in synagogues, religious schools, Jewish
community centers, youth groups and camps, are designed as two hour, interactive
family workshops geared towards students in grades 6-12 and their parents.
The workshops are based upon a series of video vignettes that help promote
healthy discussions, the sharing of personal experiences, and the group
exploration of effective strategies to fight anti-Semitism. Each workshop is led
by trained facilitators from the ADL.
For more information about the Confronting Anti-Semitism Project, contact the
ADL at (314) 432-6868.
NAMES Can Really Hurt Us: an anti-bias program for schools
In the past several years, schools throughout the St. Louis area, including
Lindbergh High School, Ladue Middle School, Brittany Woods Middle School,
Parkway West Middle School and Crosskeys Middle School have participated in the
A WORLD OF DIFFERENCEâ Institute's anti-bias program, NAMES Can Really Hurt Us .
NAMES, as the program is known, is an effective tool in combating name-calling
and prejudice in middle school and high school students. Developed in 1995 by
the A WORLD OF DIFFERENCEâ Institute, NAMES was created in response to
educators' requests for a vehicle to teach students respect for differences.
For more information about the NAMES Program, contact ADL's A WORLD OF
DIFFERENCEâ Institute at (314) 432-6868.
ADL announces 2002 Kranzberg Scholars
The Anti-Defamation League, Missouri/Southern Illinois, recently announced that
two local high school seniors won the seventh annual Meyer and Marcelle
Kranzberg Scholarship Award contest. Each scholar received a $2000 college
scholarship and was recognized at ADL's 2002 Torch of Liberty Award Dinner. The
Kranzberg Scholarship was established to recognize young people who have made
outstanding contributions to the Jewish community. The winners were chosen among
a number of youth nominated by Jewish community leadership. The scholarship was
established by a Regional Advisory Board member in his parents' names, and seeks
to encourage the winners as well as all nominees to remain active in Jewish
community service as they attend college and beyond. He hopes that "as these
remarkable young people continue to grow and achieve much success in their
communities, that they will chose to work closely with the Anti-Defamation
League in our fight against hatred and bigotry."
Security Awareness for the High Holidays...and everyday
In response to ongoing concerns about the security of synagogues and Jewish
institutions across the country, the ADL spearheaded a series of security
awareness initiatives to help communities prepare for the upcoming High Holidays
in September. "With the one-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks
approaching and continuing vague warnings about the potential for attacks
against identifiably Jewish institutions, security awareness must be a first
priority for synagogues and community institutions this year," said Abraham H.
Foxman, ADL National Director.
The Missouri/Southern Illinois Regional Office recently held several seminars
concerning security for Jewish religious and educational institutions in
conjunction with the JCRC. Additionally, ADL has undertaken new initiatives to
address security during the holidays by distributing a new guide for security
awareness, Security and the High Holidays...And Everyday, as well as ADL's
security handbook, Security for Community Institutions, and How to Hire a
Security Contractor. ADL also works with Jewish institutions year round to help
make them welcoming and secure. For additional information & to contact an ADL
office in YOUR area, see the ADL website at
www.adl.org/security.
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