The number of anti-Semitic incidents in Wisconsin has climbed steadily in the last five years, according to a recent local report. But experts don't believe more people necessarily harbor anti-Semitic views.

It's that hateful people are becoming more brazen with their attacks.

They feel comfortable and emboldened, Milwaukee's Jewish leaders said.

The Milwaukee Jewish Federation documented zero instances of harassment, threats or assaults in 2015; last year it verified 40 such cases.

That's out of 73 total incidents of anti-Semitism in 2019 documented in the report — which includes other categories such as hate group activity, references to the Holocaust and conspiracy theories. Overall incidents are up 328% from 2015.

The federation's Jewish Community Relations Council has been tracking local anti-Semitism for decades; sometimes there's a spike in activity if Israel is in the news or a Jewish politician is running for office.

But for years, the group recorded few, if any, direct, personal attacks, council director Elana Kahn said. The recent cases have unsettled many members of Milwaukee's Jewish community.

"What we saw was that almost all the incidents then were expressions — so, someone seeing a swastika, or something online that repeats some sort of anti-Semitic trope," Kahn said.

In 2019, things were different. The council, in its annual audit, noted a rise in middle school bullying of Jewish students, among other trends.

Comments documented in the audit include, “If I was part of Hitler’s army, I would shoot and kill her,” and, “You should go die in a gas chamber.”

This troubled Ann Jacobs, the council chair.

"This is happening at an age where kids are really vulnerable," she said.

The methods people used to express their anti-Semitism were widespread: from social media posts and emails to distributing flyers and posting signs in college housing to in-person comments to Jewish people.

Some incidents have hate-group connections. A man walked around a Milwaukee festival with a neo-Nazi group's flag; a man who said he was part of an anti-Semitic group "went to a synagogue and told the rabbi that Jews are imposters," according to the audit.

In other cases, people harboring negative Jewish stereotypes confronted local people.

"A hired contractor came to an elderly Jewish woman’s house, and after seeing Judaic objects, ranted that he hated all Jews and that Jews have destroyed the world through their greed," the audit reads.

And after a Racine synagogue was vandalized in September, a 22-year-old Oak Creek man charged in the case was arrested in January as part of a nationwide investigation into The Base, a neo-Nazi, racially motivated extremist group, federal prosecutors said.

The FBI has been investigating the group for months and found it active in Wisconsin.

The incidents reported to the council account for a 55% increase from the year prior and a 329% jump since 2015.

It's quite possible other cases of anti-Semitism went unreported, Kahn said. But as the issue is growing in prominence, more people are sharing their experiences, she said.

Recent tragedies across the U.S. have augmented the Milwaukee Jewish community's sense of unease, Kahn said. After an intruder stabbed five people during a Hanukkah celebration at a rabbi's home in New York, the fear grew locally — maybe we're not safe in our own homes anymore, some worried.

"It's like, all bets are off," Kahn said. "There is a sense of vulnerability."

Jacobs emphasized the community's recent investments in security measures, saying she hopes people are not scared, but thoughtful.

Kahn said people are stronger when they band together.

"We have to stay smart and not let fear determine our policies or our votes or our relationships, she said. "Because fear makes us contract."

Both Kahn and Jacobs said it was important to cultivate allies in the fight against anti-Semitism. Interfaith efforts are key to this — groups that often face discrimination can find common cause around denouncing hate.

"Every time you look around and see someone not a part of your own community being in allyship with you," Jacobs said, "it's a spark of joy."

One crucial part of improving relations? Teaching students about the Holocaust and other genocides, as well as how to practice tolerance and acceptance.

"I think all of it is designed ... not just to provide education, but to create empathy," Kahn said.

And anyone who sees hate should call it out, then report it, Jacobs said.

"That's the single best way to deal with hate — is not to pretend it's going to go away or sweep it under the rug," she said.

Report local anti-Semitic incidents at MilwaukeeJewish.org/ReportAntisemitism or by calling (414) 390-5781. Read the full audit here.

If you go

A program marking the official release of the 2019 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents takes place at 7 p.m. March 4 at the Daniel M. Soref Community Hall, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay.

A community conversation about the report will take place at 7 p.m. March 11 at the Daniel M. Soref Community Hall, 6255 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Whitefish Bay.

A lecture titled "Confronting Anti-Semitism: How to Transform Anger into Compassion and Fear into Action" will take place at 7 p.m. March 30 at the same location.

All are free and open to the public. RSVP and learn more about the events here.

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Contact Sophie Carson at (414) 223-5512 or scarson@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @SCarson_News.