The DC, Maryland and Virginia chapter of #EndJewHatred today called on Montgomery County officials, law enforcement leaders and school officials to take concrete action in response to what the organization describes as a troubling pattern of antisemitic incidents in the county.

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In a June 4 letter to Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, the Montgomery County Council and Police Chief Marc Yamada, #EndJewHatred cited recent Anti-Defamation League and Montgomery County Police data showing that Montgomery County accounted for approximately two-thirds of Maryland’s reported antisemitic incidents in 2025. According to the letter, the county recorded 120 reported antisemitic incidents in 2025, while Maryland recorded 181 statewide.

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The organization also cited Montgomery County Police data showing that, during the first four months of 2026, 35 of 76 reported anti-bias or hate incidents involved Jewish people — approximately 46 percent of the total. More than one-third of those incidents occurred in public schools – and show that a Jew in Montgomery gets attacked once every three days, on average.

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An “incident” includes vandalism, physical assault and intimidation, according to Montgomery County police. 

#EndJewHatred noted that Montgomery County, Maryland, has an estimated Jewish population of approximately 105,000.   

By comparison, the organization’s letter states that Queens and Nassau counties in New York and Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties Florida, Middlesex County, MA (Boston area) and the city of Philadelphia – all of which have MORE population than Montgomery and larger Jewish population -- had FEWER INCIDENTS EACH:

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NassauNew York1,395,7741,398,939222,00060

Miami-DadeFlorida2,701,7672,802,029130,00067

Palm BeachFlorida1,492,1911,575,726135,00071

QueensNew York2,405,4642,358,182149,00084

PhiladelphiaPennsylvania1,603,7971,574,281311,000106

MiddlesexMassachusetts1,632,0021,669,979138,000108

MontgomeryMaryland1,062,0611,074,582105,000120

 

 

#EndJewHatred said recent incidents in the Olney area underscore the need for a more focused response. The organization cited antisemitic graffiti at Greenwood Elementary School, vandalism of signs at Shaare Tefila Synagogue on Georgia Avenue, and additional reported harassment and antisemitic conduct affecting Jewish students in Montgomery County Public Schools.

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The letter states:  “It is apparent to us and should be apparent to anyone looking at this data, and the skyrocketing of antisemitic incidents post 2022, that Montgomery County, MD, despite being attractive and safe for so many Jewish families over recent decades, is potentially going the opposite way.  And, as the elected local governing body, it should concern you if any particular minority group is facing such threats.”

In its letter, #EndJewHatred asked county officials to take several specific steps, including:

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1. Create an antisemitism unit within the Montgomery County Police Department. The organization said anti-Jewish incidents are currently handled through broader anti-hate efforts, but the scale and persistence of reported antisemitic incidents warrant a more focused law enforcement response.

2. Work more closely with the Montgomery County Board of Education and MCPS on antisemitic incidents. #EndJewHatred said some incidents on or near school property may involve people outside the school system, making closer coordination between county government, police and school officials essential.

3. Hold a public inquiry or work session on antisemitism and anti-bias training in MCPS. The organization asked the County Council’s Education and Culture Committee to examine the status of anti-bias training for school staff and how that training addresses antisemitism, including contemporary forms of antisemitism.

The letter adds:  “We appreciate Montgomery police’s patrols around synagogues, schools and other Jewish institutions.  We also appreciate the County funding security for non-profit and faith-based institutions to the tune of $1.7 million, which was announced last month.  We appreciate the Executive’s creation of an Anti-Hate Task Force in the aftermath of 10/7/2023, which has an antisemitism subcommittee [but] Now is the time to establish more-focused efforts to fight Jew hatred.” 

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The letter refers to a pending “road show” around the nation the U.S. Department of Justice will be holding about how communities are handling the antisemitism epidemic.

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The letter asks county officials to respond by June 30, 2026, and says #EndJewHatred is available to meet with county, police and school leaders.

The organization also cited Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich’s stated vision to “create an equitable and inclusive community where all residents can pursue their dreams regardless of race, ethnicity, age, or economic circumstances.”

#EndJewHatred said that vision must include Jewish students, families and residents who are facing antisemitic harassment, intimidation and vandalism.

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Sources referenced in the letter include:

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• Anti-Defamation League 2025 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents: https://www.adl.org/resources/report/audit-antisemitic-incidents-2025

• Montgomery County Police Monthly Hate/Bias Summaries: https://cms.montgomerycountymd.gov/montgomery-county-police-department/public-safety-data/monthly-hatebias-summaries

• Data USA profile of Montgomery County, Maryland: https://datausa.io/profile/geo/montgomery-county-md

• ADL Philadelphia report on Pennsylvania antisemitic incidents: https://philadelphia.adl.org/resources/press-release/pennsylvania-sees-40-percent-decrease-antisemitic-incidents-driven

• Montgomery County Executive Vision statement: https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/exec/vision.html

 

About #EndJewHatred

Established by the 501(c)(3) Lawfare Project, is a non-partisan civil rights movement focused solely on justice for the Jewish people. Its mission is to empower and liberate Jews from persecution and discrimination and to demand that Jew-hatred be acknowledged as unacceptable, like hatred or violence against any other group.

Media Contacts:
 

Ken Reid, #EndJewHatred DC, MD, VA Chapter
703-779-8777 | kreid@fdainfo.com

A copy of the letters are linked below and attachments hate crime data embedded (above).

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