Chronicle poll results: Affected by antisemitic incident

We asked our readers if they, or someone they knew, were directly affected by an antisemitic incident in the past year. Here's what they said.

Last week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an online poll the following question: “In the past year, have you or has someone you know been directly affected by an antisemitic incident?” Of the 180 people who responded, 59% said no and 41% said yes. Comments were submitted by 38 people. A few follow.

I was at the Pitt event where activists purposely intimidated Jews by disrupting a presentation about the history of Jews in Israel. These activists had been sitting quietly at the program but then put on keffiyehs and ran around the room tossing anti-Israel flyers on the tables. It was very upsetting.

In an interesting blend of antisemitism, homophobia and ageism, I have been called publicly, to my face, a “ tired, old, faggot, Jew.”

It happened at work. I was singled out for being Jewish. Since the managers are not, they didn’t know how to handle it.

Everyone in Klal Yisrael is affected by another Jew’s being targeted by actions of Jew hatred.

I have been referred to as “you people.”

We see signs of Jew hate all around us. It has become acceptable.

I no longer wear Jewish-themed shirts or pendants in public.

For the past two years, my eyes and ears have been assaulted with the chant, “From the river to the sea” ( meaning annihilate the Jews). In my city, in the crème de la crème universities, in the United States of America and around the world. — yes, my well-being is affected just like a punch in my face. When you know this type of rhetoric from history, we’ve seen what can come next.

Several people in the East End of Pittsburgh, including a minister, made antisemitic comments to me during written communications. I followed up with her, but she chose not to reply.

Yes, and I stood up, fought back and received an official apology from both the person who did it as well as her boss.

I am 83 years old and I have never been directly affected by an antisemitic incident.

When some of my older grandchildren have heard about incidents in the neighborhood, even though they did not affect them directly, they have nevertheless experienced some trauma reactions, anticipatory fears, that have needed to be addressed. PJC