MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A new report shows antisemitic incidents in Wisconsin reached their highest level ever recorded in 2025, with community leaders warning the hate is becoming more public and more personal.

The audit, discussed Wednesday, May 20, during a Jewish Community Relations Council meeting, found antisemitic incidents in Wisconsin rose 83% from 2024 to 2025.

Leaders said the increase marks the most antisemitic incidents ever recorded in the state and reflects a sharp rise over the past decade.

According to the report, incidents have increased more than 900% since 2015.

“It’s inappropriate, it’s hateful, it’s hurtful, and we literally have Jews on the street who are being targeted for physical harm and in some cases, the last two years, who have been murdered for being Jewish,” said Roberta Clark, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council.

The report found more than half of all incidents happened on social media or other online platforms. Leaders said online hate has increasingly translated into real-world impacts.

“This is a 188% increase in the category of social media and online sites,” said Bonnie Krisztal, chair of the JCRC Antisemitism Task Force.

Clark said hateful rhetoric online often escalates beyond the internet.

“We believe strongly in free speech, but far too often hateful rhetoric is followed by hateful actions,” Clark said.

The audit also found many Jewish people are changing their daily behavior because of safety concerns.

"Fifty-five percent of Jews say they’ve changed their behavior in the past year out of fear of antisemitism. So, they’re not wearing a Star of David or a kippah or anything that identifies them,” Clark said.

According to the report, 58% of incidents involved anti-Israel or anti-Zionist “collective blame” rhetoric directed at Jewish people.

“Expressing or disagreeing with Israel’s policies or military decisions is not antisemitism, but blaming all Jews is,” Krisztal said.

The audit also found 18% of incidents involved threats, harassment, assaults or violence targeting members of the Jewish community - a 14% increase from 2024.

“We live in a world where people are targeted because of their immutable characteristics and they’re intimidated,” Clark said.

Community leaders said many incidents still go unreported because people fear retaliation or do not know where to turn for help, meaning the true number of incidents could be even higher.

You can report an incident at this website or call this number: MilwaukeeJewish.org/report-incident or 414-967-SAFE.