Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts Joins the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism to Call Upon All Americans to #StandUpToJewishHate
Founded by Robert Kraft, FCAS Introduces the Blue Square as a Unifying Symbol Against Antisemitism
Foxboro, Mass. March 27, 2023– The Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts (Federation) announced today they have joined the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism as an official partner of #StandUpToJewishHate, their new national campaign to mobilize all Americans, and especially non-Jews, to combat antisemitism by using the blue square emoji – 🟦 – as a unifying symbol of support. Jews only make up 2.4% of the American population yet are the victims of 55% of religious-based hate crimes. That startling discrepancy is the cornerstone of this new campaign, created through a $25 million investment by Robert K. Kraft and his family. Federation joins the Foundation, alongside a broad coalition of partnered organizations, including the League of Women Voters, Urban League, National Governors Association, the Anti-Defamation League and Hillel International to encourage its supporters to stand up to Jewish hate.
Through the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism is establishing 🟦, the Blue Square emoji already on all smartphones, as a simple, but powerful symbol of solidarity and support for the Jewish community. The 🟦 will make its debut by taking up 2.4% of TV and digital screens, billboards and social feeds, including an integrated roll-out across NBC in which hosts and talent from some of the network’s most popular shows introduce the 🟦 and discuss the rising threat of antisemitism, including on The Voice, Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, The Kelly Clarkson Show and TODAY.
“The #StandUpToJewishHate campaign is designed to raise awareness for the fight against antisemitism, specifically among non-Jewish audiences and to help all Americans understand that there is a role for each of us to play in combating a problem that is unfortunately all too prevalent in communities across the country today,” said Robert K. Kraft, Founder of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. “We must stand up and take action against the rise of all hate and I hope everyone will post and share the Blue Square to show their support in this fight.”
“When we, as Jews, experience antisemitism, we must respond not just with what we stand for, but what we stand against. We must educate others and stand proud of our culture and faith,” said Nora Gorenstein, Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts. “Now more than ever, we need to stand against and speak up to ensure antisemitism and hate faced by the Jewish community becomes part of the ongoing national conversation.”
While high-profile events have started to make more people aware of antisemitism in the past year, many outside the Jewish community still are not aware of or recognize the scale of Jewish hate. According to a survey by Wunderman Thompson SONAR, over 52% of U.S. adults 18+ do not believe “antisemitism is a big problem,” and 45% believe that Jewish people are more than capable of handling issues of antisemitism on their own. Another recent study from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) found that 85% of Americans believe at least one anti-Jewish trope. Additionally, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism has observed an increase in discussion of antisemitism online over the past two years, with the biggest increases in conversation in 2022 related to antisemitic flyers, conspiracy theories, and the Holocaust. We cannot let 2.4% of the population fight antisemitism on its own.
Federation encourages people to #StandUpToJewishHate in a number of ways:
- Post and share 🟦 – an emoji already available on most smartphones – as a hashtag across social media alongside a message of support for the Jewish community and commitment to stand up to Jewish hate.
- Activate your network by making them aware of the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign and how they can use 🟦 as a powerful symbol of solidarity with the Jewish community.
- Tell your story to followers on social media, describing an instance where you’ve either encountered antisemitism and how it affected you or witnessed someone standing up against hatred towards Jews.
- Visit www.StandUpToJewishHate.org and subscribe to the Foundation’s ”From the Command Center” e-newsletter to keep up to date on how antisemitism is spreading online, learn ways to identify and report it, and find helpful tools and resources around antisemitism.
- Follow the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign at @StandUpToJewishHate on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to keep up-to-date with 🟦 and learn more about antisemitism.
- Report antisemitism immediately when you see it, and if it is an emergency, dial 911. You can learn more about how best to report antisemitism by visiting www.StandUpToJewishHate.org.
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About The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism
Robert K. Kraft founded the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism in 2019 to help address the rising hate against Jews in the United States and the existential threat it poses to Jewish people. The Foundation is focused on winning the hearts and minds of non-Jews through powerful, positive messaging and partnerships, motivating and equipping them to be defenders and upstanders for Jews as they continue to face antisemitism. FCAS’ work includes understanding and responding to antisemitic messages and hate speech posted online and sharing the story of the Jewish people and the threats they face today to drive awareness and solidarity amongst all audiences, especially non-Jews.
Different from historical strategies to fight antisemitism, The Foundation and Kraft Family use innovative approaches to analyze and respond to the new reality of antisemitism and hate against Jewish people. The Foundation’s key areas of focus include raising awareness of antisemitism, monitoring and analyzing trends in antisemitism and hate on social media, engaging individuals to build familiarity, empathy and understanding toward Jews, and celebrating Jewish identity.
About the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts
Grounded in the values of justice, repairing the world, and Jewish unity, the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts connects individuals to a community that pursues social justice, fights hunger and poverty, rescues and resettles people in danger, and strengthens Jewish life. Through a network of agencies, synagogues, organizations, professionals and volunteers, as well as its community building and fundraising efforts, the Federation offers life-long enriching Jewish experiences for people of all ages and creates a vibrant Jewish life in Western Massachusetts, Israel, and around the globe. To learn more about the Jewish Federation of Western Massachusetts visit https://jewishwesternmass.org/.
1 “Jewish Americans in 2020,” Pew Research Center, May 21, 2021, https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2021/05/11/the-size-of-the-u-s-jewish-population/
2 “2020 FBI Hate Crimes Statistics,” The United States Department of Justice, February 21, 2023, https://www.justice.gov/crs/highlights/2020-hate-crimes-statistics
3 “Wunderman Thompson Bespoke SONAR Quantitative Study,” March 2022
4 “Command Center,” The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, 2022