Chronicle poll results: Feeling less safe as a Jew in America

Last week, the Chronicle asked its readers in an electronic poll the following question: “Do you feel less safe as a Jew in American since Oct. 7?” Of the 380 people who responded, 67% said yes; 30% said no; and 3% said they had no opinion. Comments were submitted by 106 people. A few follow.

I feel pretty safe living in Pittsburgh. I’m glad my kids recently graduated from college — I know that I’d feel less safe with them in a college atmosphere. While I feel safe, I feel much less understood/appreciated as a Jew. Some “friends” have shown me that they don’t care how threatened I feel by growing antisemitism if it goes against their thoughts on the Israel/Palestine conflict or a political candidate.

I still feel safe, but it’s hard not to feel like the ground is shifting.

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I am not Jewish, but I do believe my friends who are Jewish are less safe.

I’m not overwhelmed with fear, but as a Jew and an American, I no longer take feeling safe for granted, and haven’t since 9/11.

I am particularly concerned about the future for my children and grandchildren.

Armed guards at all Jewish organizations! Never thought I would see this!

I have felt less safe in Pittsburgh since Oct. 27, 2018.

I have never experienced antisemitism like I have since Oct 7. I’ve lost friends because of it and directly experienced antisemitism myself. There is a feeling of uncertainty over who I can trust. It is disturbing and distressing.

There are so many frightening parallels between the encampment movement and pre-war Germany. Kristallnacht didn’t happen overnight. When it became acceptable to voice incredible Jew-hatred without fear of repercussions, the slide downward was greased.

I’ve been feeling unsafe as Jew since 2016, when Trump was elected.

Instead of leaving “Jewish” as my religion on my medical records, I changed it to “None.” It’s so sad that I felt this might be necessary.

I am very uncomfortable in the America of today — and I no longer believe that I have Israel as a safe place to go to. I feel isolated, targeted and afraid
Finally I am able to say the truth: Anti-Zionism is antisemitism. No conscious Jew can any longer pretend otherwise. That wretched game has ended once and for all.

As someone who is Orthodox, I never felt too safe in America. Oct. 7 hasn’t changed anything for me.

I used to wear my Jewish star proudly, but now I hide it for fear someone will punch me in the stomach for being a Jew. I am really scared, especially passing the university area, which was once my happy place.

I always knew there were Jew haters out there, but I didn’t realize their extent until Oct 8. PJC