Jewish community leaders today expressed deep concern following the release of the 2024 Orange County Hate Crime Report, which revealed a troubling 25 percent increase in overall hate crimes from 2023 to 2024, including a 71 percent surge in hate crimes targeting the Jewish community. The data reflects broader trends documented both statewide and nationally. ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) documented 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the United States in 2024. In 2024 in Orange County and Long Beach, there were 107 total incidents of antisemitism – a stark 22 percent increase from the 88 reported incidents in 2023.
“While Jews make up only 2 percent of the U.S. population, they continue to be disproportionately targeted by hate crimes,” said Matthew Friedman, Regional Director of ADL Orange County/Long Beach. “The data should be a call to action. We need strong leadership from our elected officials, commitment from our educational institutions, and vigilance from every corner of our community. This is not just a Jewish issue – it is a test of who we are as a county and as a society.”
Joey Good, Senior Director of Community Relations for Jewish Federation of Orange County, emphasized the tangible impact on Jewish life. “These statistics represent real people in our community who have been targeted simply because they are Jewish. The burden falls disproportionately on our community, as Jewish institutions have been forced to invest millions of dollars in security measures that other faith communities rarely need to consider. Armed guards, security cameras, reinforced doors, and emergency training have become necessities, not choices. Each incident creates fear and anxiety that ripples throughout our entire community.”
Ilana Meirovitch, CEO of the Jewish Community Action Network, added, “The significant increase in hate crimes against our Jewish neighbors demands immediate and sustained action from all sectors of our community. We cannot become numb to these numbers. Behind each statistic is a person who experienced hate and fear, whether it’s a child afraid to wear a Star of David necklace to school, a family removing mezuzahs from their doorways, or congregants worrying about their safety at weekly services.”
“The rise in hate crimes in Orange County over the past year is very disturbing and the spike in anti-Jewish behavior is particularly alarming,” said Rabbi Stephen J. Einstein, President of the Orange County Board of Rabbis. “On behalf of my colleagues, I want to express gratitude to law enforcement and our elected leaders who are working to ensure the safety and well-being of all.”
The organizations expressed gratitude to elected leaders, law enforcement officials and community leaders throughout Orange County who have stood with the Jewish community during these challenging times, while stressing that more work is urgently needed.
“We urge all leaders to send and affirm the message that hate and attacks against any member of the Jewish community should never be tolerated,” the leaders stated jointly. “Combating hate requires a coordinated, community-wide effort involving government, law enforcement, schools, faith communities and civic organizations working together.”
According to the Orange County hate crime data, the increase in anti-Jewish hate crimes is part of a broader pattern of bias-motivated violence affecting multiple communities throughout the county. The report underscores the urgent need for enhanced prevention, education and enforcement efforts. These numbers are all the more alarming knowing that hate crimes remain significantly underreported, meaning the true scope of antisemitic violence and intimidation in our community is likely far greater than these statistics reflect.
The organizations pledged to continue working with community partners, elected officials and law enforcement to combat antisemitism and all forms of hate in Orange County and beyond.
The full 2024 Orange County Hate Crime Report is available on the Orange County website.