In recent months, a notable movement has gained significant traction across social media platforms and news outlets, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis has proudly been a part of its expansion.

Marked by the hashtag #StandUpToJewishHate, this campaign represents a new and ambitious initiative in the ongoing fight against Antisemitism. Launched in March 2023, the campaign has been spearheaded by Robert Kraft,
renowned Jewish philanthropist and owner of the New England Patriots. The Stand Up To Jewish Hate campaign (increasingly referred to as the Blue Square Campaign) was formed with the objective to transform the image
of the small blue square into a widely recognizable symbol in the battle against Antisemitism. The campaign aspires to achieve the same level of recognition as, for example, the pink ribbon in the research and fight against breast cancer. Ultimately, the goal is to educate the American public about the rise of Antisemitism and garner support from both Jewish and non-Jewish individuals in combating hateful antisemitic ideology, rhetoric, and activity.

One of the campaign’s central awareness statements focuses on the striking statistical disparity between the American Jewish population and the incidence of religious hate crimes targeting Jews. The campaign’s primary
awareness video states, “Jews make up 2.4% of the U.S. population, yet are the victims of 55% of all religious hate
crimes.” Accompanying this statement is a visually impactful representation: a small blue square occupying precisely
2.4% of the screen. These words and the symbolic blue square have permeated screens and billboards nationwide, from Times Square’s digital billboards to ABC’s popular TV show The Voice. The efforts from this mass media campaign have imprinted billions of times on Americans.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis has been a dedicated partner of The Stand Up To Jewish Hate campaign from its very inception, even prior to its official launch. Through this collaboration, the blue square symbol has already taken root, gaining a presence across Federation programming and communications. The aim is to rally not only the local Jewish community but also the larger non-Jewish community of Indianapolis to unite in the fight against Antisemitism.

The Federation holds this fight against Antisemitism as a paramount concern, and the blue square, #StandUpToJewishHate campaign serves as a valuable tool to advance this critical mission. Proactively integrating the emblem and message of the blue square into various digital marketing platforms, social media pages, and community emails, the Federation is confident that this visual emblem, combined with ongoing actions and efforts designed to combat Antisemitism, will significantly raise awareness.

One clear illustration of the Federation’s ongoing commitment to raising awareness of Antisemitism locally is its investment in a prominent billboard, initially positioned in Fountain Square in downtown Indianapolis and now relocated on the I-465 highway near the airport. Displaying the compelling message, “Indy is no place for Jew hate,” the billboard stands as a resolute declaration of the Federation’s stance and as an invitation to people outside of the Jewish community to join the fight against Antisemitism.

The blue square can already be seen on pins worn by Federation leadership, printed onto participant name tags at Federation events, adorned on cars, laptops, local news coverage, social media, JFGI’s website www. jewishindianapolis.org, and more. It has been integrated in programs, such as the new Maurer Koach Program, and throughout existing programs with the Indianapolis Jewish Community Relations Council and the Jewish Community Center. All of which is a part of the effort to further shape the blue square into a recognizable emblem of the communal struggle against Antisemitism, and to communicate that hate and prejudice against Jewish people and communities will not be tolerated. The Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis is inviting the larger community to join in amplifying this message of anti Jew hate and to extend the message as far and wide as possible.