Bob Jordan

@BobJordanAPP

As Jewish organizations nationwide and in New Jersey have been receiving anti-Semitic threats, a majority of Americans think hatred and prejudice are on the rise since Donald Trump was elected president -- and that the problem is “very serious’’ or “somewhat serious.’’

A total of 63 percent of voters in a Quinnipiac University national poll released Thursday said hate and prejudice has increased since the November election. Another 32 percent say the level hasn’t changed and 2 percent say it has decreased.

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The poll didn’t break out results for New Jersey, but Shore residents asked for their reactions to the findings had a common theme: Don’t blame Trump for the trend.

(Cast your vote in our poll below. If you can't see the poll, click refresh on your browser.)

“I honestly don’t think it is (tied to Trump),’’ said Howell resident Jay Sommers, 40. “I just think more people have a little bit of an excuse to be more brazen in their attitude…a little more open about it, unfortunately.’’

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Sommers and others interviewed at the Manasquan Reservoir Recreation Area, Howell, noted Trump has been in office for less than two months.

“I think it’s more the polarization of the nation than simply Donald Trump,’’ said Joel, 47, a member of Lakewood’s Orthodox community who declined to give his last name. “He definitely adds to that because he’s such a strong figure.’’

“Hopefully as time progresses people realize that they have to get along with each other.’’

Monmouth and Ocean were Trump’s strongest counties in the election, though Democrat Hillary Clinton won the state.

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Bomb threats on Tuesday against Jewish community centers and Anti-Defamation League offices in at least seven states marked the latest scare -- the threats all turned out to be hoaxes. On the same day, U.S. Sens. Cory Booker and Bob Menendez, both D-N.J., in a joint request by all 100 senators called on the Trump administration to take "swift action" against threats to Jewish community centers and other Jewish institutions.

There have been at least eight bomb threats directed at Jewish centers in New Jersey this year. Gov. Chris Christie says police patrols have been increased at faith sites.

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In the poll, 77 percent of voters said prejudice against minority groups in the U.S. is a “very serious” or “somewhat serious” problem.

Concern about anti-Semitism has jumped in the last month, to 70 percent, up from 49 percent in a February Quinnipiac poll.

Trump last week in his first major address to Congress called for unity and condemned the recent rise in threats against Jewish centers. Critics say Trump should have spoken out sooner.

Join the conversation:

Have we become a divided country since Donald Trump was elected president? Or do problems caused by hatred and prejudice go back farther?

American voters are divided on Trump’s response to bomb threats and vandalism of Jewish cemeteries: 37 percent approve and 38 percent disapprove.

“Americans are concerned that the dark forces of prejudice and anti-Semitism are rearing their ugly heads. Voters are less than confident with the new administration’s response,” pollster Tim Malloy said in a press release.

The survey reached 1,323 voters nationwide with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points.

Bob Jordan: bjordan@gannettnj.com