JewBelong is a nonprofit organization that is known for its billboards featuring slogans celebrating Judaism and countering antisemitism.[1][2] It is a tax-exempt corporation under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3).[3] It is registered since 2017 in Montclair, New Jersey.
 | |
| Formation | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Archie Gottesman and Stacy Stuart |
| Type | Nonprofit |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) organization |
| Purpose | Cultural education and political advocacy |
| Methods | Billboards |
Revenue (2022) | $4.95 M USD |
| Expenses (2022) | $3.45 M USD |
| Website | https://www.jewbelong.com |
History
editJewBelong was founded in 2013 by Archie Gottesman and Stacy Stuart, two Jewish marketing professionals who'd previously led Manhattan Mini Storage's viral billboard marketing.[4][5][6][7][8]
JewBelong was founded with the stated mission of welcoming "disengaged Jews" back into Jewish religious and cultural life.[4]
Their website, which also hosts a variety of free resources for Jewish holidays, culture and customs, was their primary function until late 2019 and early 2020.[citation needed]
Antisemitism awareness campaigns
editBeginning in late 2019 and early 2020, JewBelong expanded its programs to include antisemitism awareness campaigns, citing a rise in antisemitic events like the chants of "Jews will not replace us" at the August 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville and the shootings at a Pittsburgh synagogue and at a Jersey City kosher grocery store in October 2018 and December 2019, respectively.[9][10][11]
One of JewBelong's early antisemitism-related campaigns was a digital display in Times Square, New York. JewBelong's messages included, "We're just 75 years since the gas chambers. So no, a billboard calling out antisemitism isn't an overreaction. #stopantisemitism" and "3,500 years of antisemitism doesn't make it right."[12]
Reception and vandalism
editJewBelong has gained some notoriety for its "edgy" advertisements, particularly billboards.[13][14][15][16]
JewBelong posted on Instagram: "Trust Me. If Israel Wanted to Commit Genocide in Gaza, It Could." Slate's Emily Tamkin's called the post "menacing." JewBelong ultimately deleted the post the same day.[17]
In 2023, JewBelong funded billboard ads that said, "You don't have to go to law school to know that anti-Zionism is antisemitism." In Berkeley, California, the billboards were subsequently vandalized with the phrases, "Jews4FreePalestine" and "Free Palestine". An anonymous anti-Zionist group claimed credit for vandalizing the billboard with anti-Israel graffiti. The Berkeley Police Department investigated the incident as a hate crime.[18][19][20]
In 2024, JewBelong posted billboards near San Diego State University that referenced the 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses. One said “Remember when college was for losing your virginity, not your mind?” A community member who declined to give his last name to CBS8 San Diego said "I think it’s inappropriate. Not Judaism or anything. I just think having that there that’s the wrong message personally."[21] The rabbi at the Chabad House at SDSU said "I feel like maybe there could be a better way to really explain what is actually happening."[22]
References
edit- ^ Fox, Mira (2022-05-25). "JewBelong's billboards are everywhere. But who are they and what are they selling?". The Forward. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Brown, Maya (2022-02-06). "A group is putting up billboards calling out anti-Semitism in Florida". CNN. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Roberts, Andrea Suozzo, Ken Schwencke, Mike Tigas, Sisi Wei, Alec Glassford, Brandon (2013-05-09). "Jewbelong Inc - Nonprofit Explorer". ProPublica. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ a b "Can a Clever Ad Campaign 'Save Judaism'?". The Forward. 2017-01-11. Retrieved 2024-06-10.
- ^ "Co-Founder of JewBelong Says, "Come on in, the Water's Fine!" | Journeys: Jewish Living, Jewish Meaning". Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ California, Lillian Ilsley-Greene | J. The Jewish News of (2023-02-03). "Anti-Zionist Jewish activists claim credit for billboard defacement". Berkeleyside. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "'We need allies': What NJ Jewish leaders want you to do about rising antisemitism". North Jersey Media Group. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "At St. Petersburg Chabad, a response to antisemitism: 'Dispel that darkness'". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ WOLF, RACHEL (2019-12-21). "Activists rally against antisemitism with JewBelong". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ BOTEACH, SHMULEY (2021-07-12). "Amid antisemitism and disasters, we must face our fears - opinion". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ Lavalle, Jules (2021-06-06). "Archie Gottesman, Stacy Stuart and JewBelong Launch Multi-Media Campaign Against Antisemitism". The Hollywood Times. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ BOTEACH, SHMULEY (2021-07-12). "Amid antisemitism and disasters, we must face our fears - opinion". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 2024-04-10.
- ^ "Group launches billboard campaign to fight antisemitism in Tampa". WFLA. 2022-11-20. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ "Billboards around San Antonio raise awareness of rising anti-Semitism". kens5.com. November 18, 2022. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Goss, Emma (2022-06-06). "Who is paying for these 'JewBelong' bacon billboards in the East Bay?". J. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Heller, Sasha (2022-08-11). "New Provocative Ad Campaign Targets Antisemitism". Atlanta Jewish Times. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Tamkin, Emily (2022-08-11). "What Is JewBelong's Deal?". Slate. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
- ^ "Berkeley billboards raising awareness about antisemitism left defaced, nonprofit says". ABC7 San Francisco. 2023-01-21. Retrieved 2023-09-08.
- ^ Jones • •, Velena (20 January 2023). "New Billboard About Antisemitism Sparks Debate in Berkeley". NBC Bay Area. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Goss, Emma (2023-01-24). "JewBelong billboards vandalized with 'Free Palestine' in Berkeley". J. Retrieved 2023-02-12.
- ^ Sanchez, Elizabeth (2024-10-12). "JewBelong | Billboards targeting antisemitism on college campuses seen around San Diego". cbs8.com. Retrieved 2024-11-15.
- ^ Price, Stepheny (2024-10-11). "Jewish organization blasts colleges in billboard ad near San Diego State University to combat antisemitism". Fox News. Archived from the original on 2024-10-14. Retrieved 2024-11-15.