Two recent incidents in Chicago — an attack on Jewish students at DePaul University and a vandalism incident at a synagogue in the Loop — are part of a troubling uptick in antisemitic activity in the city, according to the Anti-Defamation League (ADL).
On Wednesday afternoon, two Jewish students were physically assaulted near the DePaul University Student Center in Lincoln Park. According to DePaul University President Robert L. Manuel, the students were attacked by masked individuals while standing outside the Student Center. One of the students is an Israeli soldier on reserve and an executive leader of the campus group Students Standing with Israel at DePaul. The students had been engaging with others in dialogue about the ongoing war in Gaza when the attack occurred. Sources suggest the attack was premeditated.
“Sadly, this is the reality now,” said Manuel, condemning the assault, which he called an act of hate. The university confirmed the attack was not random and seemed to be specifically targeted at the students due to their pro-Israel views.
Later that evening, the Chicago Loop Synagogue at 16 S. Clark St. was disrupted by protesters who harassed attendees and vandalized the building. The synagogue was hosting an event with an Israeli journalist when dozens of demonstrators, supporting the Palestinian cause, gathered outside. Some protesters entered the synagogue, banging on windows and shouting through megaphones. According to synagogue administrator Mary Lynn Pross, the protestors’ actions were disruptive and intimidating, with some even causing property damage inside the building. Chicago Police arrested two individuals, one for trespassing and another for property damage.
The incident has left the Jewish community in the Loop shaken. “Being in downtown Chicago, it makes it very difficult—not only for us but other cultural institutions—to have their people who engage with them feel safe,” said Lee Zoldan, president of the Chicago Loop Synagogue. “It’s a real issue for Chicago as a city.”
The DePaul attack and synagogue vandalism come amid a wider surge in antisemitic violence. A recent high-profile hate crime case also drew attention when a man, Sidi Muhammad Abdellahi, was charged with shooting an Orthodox Jewish man in the West Ridge neighborhood. The shooting took place while the victim was walking to synagogue, and Abdellahi was later involved in a shootout with police. Abdellahi faces terrorism and hate crime charges.
David Goldenberg, the ADL’s Midwest Regional Director, expressed deep concern, noting that the frequency and severity of antisemitic incidents have risen dramatically. “It’s a problem when we’re not surprised when someone’s shot because they’re Jewish. We’re not surprised that someone is assaulted because they’re Jewish. We’re not surprised that a Jewish institution is attacked, protested, and vandalized,” he said. “We’re sad. We’re outraged. We’re exhausted, but we’re not surprised.”
Goldenberg pointed out that the ADL has tracked a 300% increase in antisemitic incidents in Chicago over the past year. He called for greater action to address the hate and to ensure the safety of the Jewish community. “Jews deserve to be safe in our city, in our state, and in our country,” he added.
The Chicago Commission on Human Relations reported 216 hate incidents this year to date, with 40 of those classified as hate crimes. The ADL has called on local leaders to work toward better supporting victims of hate and to take a stronger stance against antisemitism.
“Unfortunately, this is the American Jewish experience right now,” Goldenberg concluded. “It’s a trend that must be addressed.”