Austin Steele/CNNLeaders from the Jewish Federations of North America acknowledged there is widespread fear among Jewish families. Sarah Eisenman, chief community and Jewish life officer for the organization, said she empathizes with Jewish Americans who are changing their normal routines or hiding markers of their Jewish heritage to avoid being targeted. But as the Israel-Hamas war continues to drive a surge in antisemitism in the US, he said he’s taking her advice more seriously. “It’s like, ‘Don’t go out of your way to be publicly Jewish,’ and that’s really sad,” Franklin said. The climate on the campuses, she said, is “terrifying and too much to bear.”Franklin hasn’t felt safe going to Jewish community events or her synagogue, despite security being in place.

Source: CNN November 19, 2023 11:43 UTC