The number of anti-Semitic incidents in New Jersey declined for the second consecutive year, according to the annual audit by the Anti-Defamation League, but the agency remains concerned over mounting bigotry displayed by young people and the way the Internet is used to disseminate hate messages.

A total of 244 incidents were reported in New Jersey in 2006, according to the report, which was released March 14.

Vandalism, which includes property damage, arson, and cemetery desecrations, was down by 12 percent, from 188 to 166 incidents.

Anti-Semitic harassment, described as verbal intimidation, threats, and physical assaults, remained the same as in 2005, with 78 incidents reported.

Incidents in the MetroWest area rose during 2006: 18 episodes in Essex County, up from 12 the previous year; Morris County, 13, up from 10; Warren, four, up from two; no incidents were reported in Sussex County, the same as in 2005.

Nationally, the ADL reported 1,554 incidents of anti-Semitism, representing a decline of 12 percent from the 2005 total of 1,757.

“While we are pleased with the overall decrease … throughout the state, we are concerned with the fact that 71 incidents were reported at educational institutions, including our public schools and colleges,” said ADL New Jersey regional director Etzion Neuer in a statement. “While the decreasing numbers…reflect a national trend, they also show a continuing need to erase the persistent scourge of anti-Semitism, especially among our youth.”

In the statement, ADL’s NJ regional board chair Lawrence Cooper of Livingston, also noted the organization’s vital role in reducing anti-Semitic incidents. “These numbers remind us that we must redouble our efforts to counteract and prevent root causes of hate,” he said. “Our New Jersey office will continue to focus on anti-bias training beginning in preschool and continuing through high school, college, and the workplace. We hope to see this downward trend continue.”

In a phone interview with NJ Jewish News, Neuer reiterated his concern over anti-Semitic behavior by students.

“These incidents are happening at places where students are supposed to be receiving enlightenment,” he said. “That’s what makes this particularly sore for us.”

Neuer said social Internet networks such as MySpace and Facebook have made it easier to disseminate bigotry. “Groups that used to have a more limited reach can now dispense their messages incredibly easily and cast a far wider net. The Web itself is increasingly used as a vehicle to attack others, including students and school staff members,” he said.

Schools are faced with a “very tricky” problem in terms of how to deal with students regarding activities that take place outside of class time, Neuer said.

Neuer believes that the family bears the ultimate responsibility for teaching values to young people.

“The incidents that get to our level tend to show that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” he said. “When you scratch a little, [inappropriate] language was picked up at home. Kids are born as blank slates. It’s adults who fill that slate. We can say whatever we want, but our children are watching what we do. We can teach respect, but if we tell racist jokes…or a racial slur slips out, children are watching and they get a message that a certain level of discourse is okay.”

The annual Audit of Anti-Semitic Incidents comprises data from across New Jersey, including information provided to ADL’s regional office by victims, law enforcement officers, and community leaders. It identifies both criminal and non-criminal incidents of harassment and intimidation, including distribution of hate literature, threats, and slurs.

The report — including examples of incidents from around the country, the state-by-state numbers, charts, graphics, and a slide show of photos showing anti-Semitic vandalism — is available on the ADL Web site.

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