As statewide antisemitic incidents rise, local Jewish leaders concerned

In New Mexico, there were six reported incidents of anti-Semitic harassment and one report of vandalism in 2017, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

This rise in anti-Semitic incidents regionally is in line with a national spike: The group found a 67% increase of incidents across the country.

“The concern is always there,” said Rabbi Larry Karol, a spiritual leader of Temple Beth-El in Las Cruces.

The Jewish Community Center of Albuquerque had several reported bomb threats in 2017, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

Rabbi Karol told ABC-7 that in 2017, he observed anti-Semitism in local schools.

“Some of their classmates say some pretty insensitive things,” Karol said.

The ADL also reported an increase nationally in anti-Semitic incidents following August’s “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, V.A..