Source: Contra Costa Times
http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_12496273
Anti-Semitic incidents soared 21 percent in California last year, led by a spike in vandalism, harassment and violence against Jews in the San Fernando Valley and other parts of Los Angeles, according to a report released Monday by the Anti-Defamation League.
While the number of incidents fell 7 percent nationwide to 1,352, complaints in California rose from 186 in 2007 to 226 last year. They included a Molotov cocktail attack at the Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus in West Hills and the beating of an Orthodox man in North Hollywood.
"It's almost like a virus," said Amanda Susskind, regional director of the ADL.
"It started in January and February when there were a large number of incidents in the San Fernando Valley. It may have been the same perpetrator or a series of copy-cat incidents. I can't tell you why it increased, but it does come in waves."
The report - based on an analysis of information provided by law enforcement, victims and community leaders - found a significant increase in anti-Semitic vandalism at private homes and Jewish institutions. However, there were also a number of incidents against individual Jews.