I PASSOVE R SPECIAL TABLECLOTHS NAPKINS & PLACEMA Inc og g f„F with this ad "1. v CLEANERS or Your Nearest Location Call 313-537-8051 „o. R I—I I _J ) 0.1 _Nc MIMI emodeling PROFESSIONAL WINDOW & DOOR INSTALLATION $100 OFF $100 OFF per Architect Series Windows & Doorwalls Caulking • Wood Replacement 63,0&4 3 1-D) R(363=ME3=(3zizi] 22 April 13 • 2006 Bias Drops Anti-Semitic incidents down, but still too high, new report says. Beautifully Laundered 10 % World 106300 T New York/JTA chat rooms were not counted in the he number of anti-Semitic audit, specific e-mail threats aimed at incidents in the United States synagogues and Jewish institutions decreased slightly in 2005, were included. according to a new report. But the The Michigan Regional Office of picture is still bleak, the annual audit the Anti-Defamation League reported from the Anti-Defamation League says. a total of nine incidents in Michigan "While any decline is encouraging, — five incidents of harassment and we remain concerned because too four vandalism incidents — up from many people continue to act out their seven total incidents from the year anti-Jewish hatred," Abraham Foxman, before, said Betsy Kellman, ADL the ADL's national director, said. "The regional director based in Bloomfield numbers remain sobering because we Township. know from painful experience that it "But the numbers are not really only takes one incident of 'indicative of the real story,' anti-Semitism to affect an Kellman said. "Dozens of entire community." people report incidents to The audit recorded 1,757 us but then do not follow up anti-SemitiC incidents last on the paperwork required, year. These numbers are or they do not return phone down slightly from 2004's calls or they are not inter- 1,821 incidents, which con- ested in using their names or stituted the highest level lacing' their perpetrator. of anti-Semitic activity in "Many times, we nine years. Betsy Kel !man: read about a story in the The audit breaks down Michigan higher. paper or hear about a case anti-Semitic incidents into but we do not go after a story two categories. The first or an incident, so our num- is harassment, which ADL defines as bers do not nearly represent the num- "threats and assaults directed at indi- ber of incidents that actually occur." viduals and institutions." The other is In addition to the audit, the national vandalism, which includes cemetery ADL also compiles statistics on desecration or anti-Semitic graffiti. anti-Semitic attitudes. In 2005, the . The report's findings show that: ADL's "Survey of American Attitudes • Acts of vandalism decreased by 4 Towards Jews in America" found that percent in 2005 — from 644 in 2004 14 percent of Americans — nearly to 617 in 2005. 35 million adults — maintain views •Acts of harassment decreased by 3 about Jews that are "unquestionably percent in 2005, with 1,140 incidents anti-Semitic!' reported. Foxman said American attitudes, • Harassment acts constitute 65 for the most part, are better than percent of the total incidents reported. those in European nations. "In Europe, Vandalism incidents make up the the numbers are higher and more remaining 35 percent. serious," he said. "But while America's • Ninety-eight anti-Semitic inci- different and better, it's not immune!' dents were reported on college cam- Foxman said the annual audit is puses in 2005. This constitutes an useful in determining where and how almost one-third increase from the 74 to allocate resources combating anti- incidents reported in 2004. Semitism. • States with the highest total "As much progress as we think incidents included New York (381), we've made with legislation, litigation New Jersey (266), California (247), and education, anti-Semitism still Florida (199), Massachusetts (93) and _continues to be the No. 2 hate crime in Connecticut (57). the United States:' Foxman said. "You • The Internet continues to play a can't eliminate it, but you can try to "substantial role" in the propagation keep a lid on ell] of anti-Semitism. Though Internet - Staff Writer Harry Kirsbaum messages on bulletin boards and in contributed to this report.