CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The number of antisemitic acts in North Carolina increased for the second straight year, according to the Anti-Defamation League.

The organization recorded 175 incidents of antisemitism in the state in 2024, including 140 incidents of harassment, 33 incidents of vandalism and two incidents of assault. The findings show the number of incidents increased compared with 2023 when 151 acts of antisemitism were recorded. In 2022, 39 incidents were recorded in the state.

“This is alarming but not surprising,” Douglas Greene, the director of Jewish community relations for the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte, said. “These represent real Charlotteans, real students, real houses of worship that get threats and real people who are afraid to show their Jewish identity in public.”

Deborah McCullough never expected to be a victim of antisemitism. When she walked out of her home in December 2024, she found a large swastika and racist messages spray-painted on her house.

"That means somebody knew where I live,” McCullough said. “They knew my background. They knew things about me, and I didn't know who they were. It's scary.”

The federation works with those who have experienced antisemitism in the region. Greene said they are the “first line of defense when antisemitism occurs.”

“I think people are starting to feel more comfortable reporting incidents of antisemitism,” Greene said. “I think we'll see a continuous rise because now the community knows where to go to report these incidents. It's also not very surprising because there's a direct correlation whenever there's a conflict in Israel, that the Jewish community sees an uptick in antisemitic events.”

The federation has a place on its website where people can report antisemitism they witness or experience. Greene said it is a tool that streamlines the process so they can quickly take action.

While law enforcement never found the person responsible for vandalizing McCullough's home, she urges all victims to report any antisemitism they experience.

“I believe that history repeats itself,” she said. “If you don't say something about what's going on, it will increase and increase. When people make it OK, it becomes OK. It is not OK to hate somebody for who they are, what they look like or their background. There's no reason for it.”