The partnership aims to empower all people to #StandUpToJewishHate throughout JAHM

Foxboro, Mass. Thursday, April 27, 2023 – The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) announced today an official partnership with the organizers and conveners of Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) – a nationwide celebration of Jewish American culture, contributions, and diversity throughout the month of May. The effort is powered by the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History and 200 partner organizations. This partnership is the latest in the Foundation’s efforts to raise awareness of antisemitism and hate targeting Jews.

Earlier this year, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism launched #StandUpToJewishHate, a new national campaign designed to raise awareness of antisemitism and hate targeting Jews and establish 🟦, the Blue Square emoji, as a simple, but powerful unifying symbol of solidarity and support for the Jewish community.

JAHM, which takes place in May, recognizes nearly four centuries of the Jewish American experience and provides an opportunity for Jews and non-Jews alike to learn about Jewish heritage and reflect on the history and experiences of the Jewish American community. By partnering together this May, the organizers of JAHM and FCAS hope to empower all people, especially non-Jews, to raise awareness of the links between the Jewish American experience and broader American history and culture as a mechanism to combat the rising threat of antisemitism in the United States.

“This year, now more than ever, we honor Jewish American Heritage Month as we stand together against a backdrop of rising hate and antisemitism in the U.S.,” said Matthew Berger, Executive Director of the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism. “The Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and our Stand Up To Jewish Hate campaign is focused on equipping Jews and non-Jews with the tools they need to be defenders and upstanders for the Jewish community. Our hope is that all Americans will post and share the Blue Square this month and in the months that follow to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Jewish Americans of the past and present and to reaffirm a commitment to fighting antisemitism.”

“Since 2006, Jewish American Heritage Month has helped the general public learn more about Jewish Americans and our rich history to provoke meaningful dialogue that can serve as an antidote to antisemitism,” said Dr. Misha Galperin, CEO of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History. “We believe that understanding our past helps us navigate our present and shape our future, which is why we’re thrilled to count the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism as a part of our coalition of partners for the month to further raise awareness of their #StandUpToJewishHate campaign and encourage everyone to share the Blue Square to express their solidarity against antisemitism.”

There has never been more of a need for non-Jews to #StandUpToJewishHate and show their support. 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 the scale of Jewish hate or the fact that although Jews make up 2.4% of the American population1, they are the victims of 55% of religious based hate crimes2.

This JAHM, the Foundation is encouraging all people to post and share 🟦 on their social media channels to bring awareness to the striking discrepancy between the Jewish population size and the incidents of Jewish hate and affirm their commitment to ending antisemitism, while also promoting a sense of pride, belonging, and common ground for people to come together and appreciate the richness of #OurShared Heritage.

People can #StandUpToJewishHate this Jewish American Heritage Month in a number of ways:

1. Leading up to May 1, make your network aware of JAHM (JewishAmericanHeritage.org) and how they can use 🟦 as a symbol of solidarity with Jewish Americans and to share the vibrant history, culture, and contributions of Jews throughout our nation’s history.

2. On May 1, help kick off JAHM by recognizing the month on social media alongside a message of support for the Jewish community including 🟦 and hashtags #MyJAHM, #OurSharedHeritage, and #StandUpToJewishHate. You can access kick off graphics and additional social resources at https://jewishamericanheritage.org/toolkit/.

3. Throughout the month of May, continue to lift up Jewish American history, heritage, and culture in a way that’s most relevant to you and your community, or share your story describing an instance where you’ve either encountered antisemitism or witnessed someone standing up against hatred towards Jews.

4. Visit www.StandUpToJewishHate.org and www.JewishAmericanHeritage.org for more information and resources on confronting antisemitism and celebrating American Jewish life.

5. Follow the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign at @StandUpToJewishHate on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, and follow the #MyJAHM campaign and #OurShared Heritage on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up-to-date with 🟦 and JAHM-related activities throughout May.

Download the partnership factsheet here.

Download the public factsheet here.

###

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 Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM)

Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is a national month of recognition of the more than 365-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture, celebrated each May per Presidential proclamation. JAHM serves as an antidote to antisemitism by lifting up the indelible contributions American Jews have made, and continue to make, to our nation’s history, culture, and society. JewishAmericanHeritage.org

About the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History

Established in 1976, and situated on Philadelphia’s Independence Mall, the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History is the only museum in the nation dedicated exclusively to exploring and interpreting the American Jewish experience. The Weitzman presents educational programs and experiences that preserve, explore, and celebrate the history of Jews in America. Standing as a joyful bulwark against antisemitism, bigotry, and hate, The Weitzman serves to connect Jews more closely to their heritage and to inspire in people of all backgrounds a greater appreciation for the diversity of the American Jewish experience and the freedoms to which Americans aspire. TheWeitzman.org

Media Contacts

Sherman Fabes: sfabes@webershandwick.com

Anisha Chakrabarti: AnishaC@fcas.org

Sarah Maiellano: sarah@broadstreetcomms.com