A series of recent antisemitic incidents in the United States and abroad has sparked renewed concern among religious leaders and communities, highlighting what advocacy groups describe as a disturbing rise in hatred and violence targeting Jewish people.
In New York City, a woman was subjected to an antisemitic verbal assault inside a West Village restaurant over the weekend. According to footage shared online and eyewitness accounts, a male patron directed profane and threatening language at the woman after she confronted him for making antisemitic remarks. The incident took place at Mole Mexican Bar & Grill around 8:30 p.m., according to reporting from the Mirror.
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Video of the confrontation shows the man shouting slurs and obscenities, including threats aimed at Jewish people, while moving aggressively toward the victim before leaving the restaurant with a companion. The encounter was recorded by Max Towey, co-founder of Roca News, who later described the scene as deeply unsettling. “It was shocking and deeply troubling to see the girls shaken up and crying after he left,” Towey told the New York Post, adding that the women involved “were calm, they were not yelling,” according to the Mirror.
The New York incident occurred as authorities in California investigate a drive-by shooting targeting a Jewish family in Redlands. According to the Jerusalem Post, a gunman fired approximately 20 bullets into the family’s home late Saturday night while shouting antisemitic slurs. Doorbell camera footage reportedly captured the suspect yelling, “F*** the Jews,” as he opened fire.
The family, whose home was visibly decorated for Hanukkah, later shared a statement with Community News describing the terrifying moments before the attack. “My family just survived an antisemitic drive-by shooting in Redlands,” the statement read. The family said the suspect verbally harassed them as they entered their home and returned minutes later to carry out the shooting, according to the Jerusalem Post.
As of the latest reports, the suspect in the Redlands shooting has not been apprehended.
Jewish advocacy organizations have condemned the violence in strong terms. “Last night’s shooting into the home of a Jewish family on Shabbat is another dangerous and despicable act of violence impacting the Jewish community in Southern California,” said Anti-Defamation League Los Angeles Senior Director David Englin, according to the Jerusalem Post.
ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt also addressed the broader implications of the attack, noting the spiritual significance of Hanukkah. “On Hanukkah, we are meant to publicly display the menorah – to publicize the miracle (pirsumei nisa) and share the light – symbolizing Jewish survival and resilience,” Greenblatt said. He added, “But when Jews do not feel safe, we are permitted to keep it private,” according to the Jerusalem Post.
These incidents come amid reports of a deadly attack in Australia, where authorities said a mass shooting at Bondi Beach targeted Sydney’s Jewish community during a Hanukkah gathering. According to reports referenced by the Mirror, at least 15 people were killed, including a Holocaust survivor who died shielding his wife from gunfire.
For Catholics, the growing prevalence of antisemitic violence raises urgent moral questions rooted in the Church’s longstanding teaching on the dignity of every human person and the rejection of hatred in all its forms. The Second Vatican Council’s declaration Nostra Aetate explicitly condemns antisemitism and affirms the shared spiritual heritage between Christians and Jews.
As Greenblatt stated, “2025 in America should not be one of those times. Threats to the Jewish community’s safety must not be tolerated or normalized. Enough is enough,” according to the Jerusalem Post.
Faith leaders across traditions continue to call for vigilance, prayer, and concrete action to confront hatred and protect vulnerable communities, urging society to respond not with silence, but with moral clarity and solidarity.
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