“JewBelong”

By: Mira Kaufman

Antisemitism is a reality in the world and has been progressively getting worse in the United States. Antisemitism is defined as prejudice against Jews, and according to Vanessa Romo, on NPR news, antisemitic incidents in the US worsened by 26% in 2022 alone. This article revealed that in 2022, there were 3,697 acts of harassment, vandalism, and/or assault to Jews and Jewish communities in the US which has been the highest recorded number since they started in 1997.

Targeted shootings, bomb threats, and vandalism have become far too regular leading to synagogues and Jewish communities being forced into hiring police officers for events in order to increase safety.

Antisemitism may be very present today but it is not new. The Holocaust is the most well known and largest act of antisemitism. It took place in the 1930s into the 40s with the result of over 6 million Jews murdered.

Not only is antisemitism a physical act but can also be shown through Jewish stereotypes and “nicknames”. Many Jewish people are working to fight these stereotypes and to educate society on Judaism and the wrongs that are being consciously and unconsciously committed.

An evolving nonprofit organization called “JewBelong” is stepping up to fight antisemitism, to open American society’s eyes, and to help Jewish people in their everyday lives. The leaders of JewBelong are a group of Jewish people who originally started and became registered in Montclair, New Jersey, during the year of 2017. They have since spread across the US. Their current fight is to place vibrant pink billboards around the US with short sayings intending to make one stop, think, and feel. Their boards speak of harsh, true subjects. One says, “Can a billboard end antisemitism? No. But you’re not a billboard.” Another says, “We’re just 78 years since the gas chambers. So no, a billboard calling out Jew hate isn’t an overreaction.” These are just two examples out of many more.

JewBelong has recently come to the Twin Cities too. On University Avenue, the pink billboard has made an appearance. This one states, “Judaism: Come for the girlfriend. Stay for the lack of Hell.” This billboard is extremely hard to miss with that exact goal in mind.

JewBelong’s website: https://www.jewbelong.com/ has the same intentions. It’s pink, vibrant, and uses words going straight to the point. Their website offers guidance on how to celebrate Jewish holidays, weddings, Bris’s, and B’nai Mitzvah. They have links to news articles on their billboards, an educational page, a team page, and so much more. On their team page, they use pictures of themselves, but as children, again with the purpose of making the viewer feel.

JewBelong has the goal of educating people about antisemitism and to ensure that no act is forgotten, including the Holocaust. It is very common for people to forget the worries of the past, but the murder of over 6 million Jews is not something to forget. JewBelong fights to never let this history repeat itself again. So, if you see the vibrant pink billboard, take a look. Pause, think, feel, and educate yourself on the message being shown to you.

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