Intolerance Doubles in County : Anti-Semitism: Jews suffer vandalism and harassment at rising rate in California and nationwide.

Fifteen incidents of vandalism and harassment against Jews were reported in Orange County last year, twice the number in 1988, according to a report released by the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith.

“It shows that there is still an unacceptable level of intolerance in our county,” Elizabeth Gale, the league’s Orange County regional director, said Thursday.

Nationwide, the number of anti-Semitic incidents jumped 12% in 1989 to their highest level in at least 11 years, totaling 1,452.

The group reported an 81% increase in anti-Semitic harassment in California, where 89 incidents were reported in 1989, up from 49 in 1988.

The league, which gathers its statistics from temples and other Jewish institutions, attributed the increases to better reporting of hate crimes and the growing numbers of neo-Nazi skinheads, who often adhere to racist and neo-Nazi ideologies.

Skinheads were responsible for at least 116 anti-Semitic incidents in 24 states, the report said.

Gale said the league constantly struggles to figure out why so many youths are attracted to such racist groups like the neo-Nazi skinheads.

“Perhaps they’re angry because they don’t feel like they have a place in society. Maybe it’s for companionship and a sense of belonging,” she said.

In Orange County, the league recorded eight cases of vandalism and seven acts of harassment, which included verbal threats and obscene and offensive phone calls.

“Not every thing is reported to us,” Gale said, “so all we’re getting is a good sample of what’s out there, but there’s so much more, so much more.”

Gale said Jewish families are being verbally harassed when they walk out of their synagogues and receive anonymous obscene and offensive phone calls in the middle of the night.

“I don’t think Orange County residents should be afraid,” Gale said. “I do think that they should be aware that there are problems, and they should be ready to come to the aid of those who need it when people are victimized by hate crimes.”

ANTI-SEMITISM INCIDENTS IN O.C.

Reported acts of harassment and vandalism in Orange County.

Type 1989 1988 Harassment 7 3 Vandalism 8 4

Source: Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith.