Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance Join 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  

May 16, 2023

Los Angeles - The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance 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.

Throughout the month of May, Jewish Heritage Month, the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s Museum of Tolerance will be airing all 4 commercials that were shown across television, digital and social media in the Museum of Tolerance so the thousands of Museum visitors, including students, can see these powerful stories that showcase the emotional impact of antisemitism and the role each person can play to #StandUpToJewishHate. The Museum will also be distributing blue square pins to all those visiting and participating in programs. This unique partnership was first announced last week at the Simon Wiesenthal Center’s National Tribute Dinner in the presence of entertainment, business and political leaders from across the US.

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 🟦 made it’s debut by taking up 2.4% of TV and digital screens, billboards and social feeds, including an integrated roll-out across NBC.

“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.”
 
The Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance encourage people to #StandUpToJewishHate in a number of ways:
    1    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.
    2    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.
    3    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.
    4    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.
    5    Follow the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign at @StandUpToJewishHate on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to keep up-to-date with 🟦 and learn more about antisemitism.
    6    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 Simon Wiesenthal Center and Museum of Tolerance
The Simon Wiesenthal Center is a Jewish global human rights organization researching the Holocaust and hate in a historic and contemporary context. The Center confronts antisemitism, hate and terrorism, promotes human rights and dignity, stands with Israel, defends the safety of Jews worldwide, and teaches the lessons of the Holocaust for future generations. With a constituency of over 400,000 households in the United States, it is accredited as an NGO at international organizations including the United Nations, UNESCO, OSCE, Organization of American States (OAS), and the Council of Europe.

The Museum of Tolerance (MOT), a cultural icon in the city of Los Angeles, is the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center that challenges visitors to confront bigotry, antisemitism, hate and to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts. Since opening in 1993, the Museum has hosted over 7.5 million visitors. More than 3 million children and youth have participated in the Museum experience and its programs, and almost 250,000 adults have been trained in the Museum’s customized professional development programs.

More information:

Michele E. Alkin, Director of Global Communications, Simon Wiesenthal Center, malkin@wiesenthal.com
Sherman Fabes: sfabes@webershandwick.com 
Anisha Chakrabarti: AnishaC@fcas.org