A new Washington Post poll reveals a troubling rise in fear among American Jews, with 42% saying they hide or downplay their Jewish identity in public due to concerns about antisemitism — nearly double the 23% reported in 2022.

The survey, conducted in September 2025 with 815 Jewish adults, found that only 18% feel “very safe” living in the United States, while 26% reported feeling “not too safe” and 6% said they feel “not safe at all.” The data was featured in a Fox News segment, which included visualizations of the poll’s findings and interviews with community leaders calling the results “deeply alarming.”

The poll’s release coincides with similar research from the American Jewish Committee (AJC), whose October 2025 report found that 55% of Jewish Americans had personally encountered antisemitism within the past year.

Experts say the numbers reflect a post-2023 surge in antisemitic incidents, both online and in public spaces, prompting many to avoid wearing visible Jewish symbols or attending religious gatherings openly.

Community organizations and lawmakers have urged stronger measures against hate crimes and harassment, warning that the trend signals a growing climate of fear and alienation among U.S. Jewish communities.