Foxboro, Mass. March 28, 2023 – Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ 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. Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ 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 (ADL), 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 blue square emoji 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 blue square emoji 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.” 

According to new data released by ADL, reported antisemitic incidents in 2022 rose by 10% in New Jersey, reaching 408 total incidents – the highest number ever recorded by ADL in the state and the third-highest number recorded in any state across the country last year. 

"Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ engages in proactive and reactive measures to help preempt, mitigate, legislate, investigate, prosecute, rectify, prepare for, and protect against hidden and overt manifestations of antisemitism," said Susan Antman, Executive Director of Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ. "We prioritize relationships and direct interactions with those in positions to make and enforce practices, policies, laws, penalties, and other protections against bias and hate-based harm."

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 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. 

Jewish Federation in the Heart of NJ encourages people to #StandUpToJewishHate in a number of ways: 

1. Post and share the blue square 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 the blue square emoji 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 stay up-to-date 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 (FCA) 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.