ESPN chronicles Patriots owner Robert Kraft’s launch of ‘Stand Up To Jewish Hate’ campaign

Robert+Kraft+on+ESPN+screen+shot

Published May 30, 2023

In March, the Jewish owner of the New England Patriots, Robert Kraft, committed $25 million to launch a new campaign called “Stand Up to Jewish Hate,” to drive home the message that antisemitism must not be tolerated. Now the story of how the entire campaign came to be will air on ESPN.

“Today’s Outside the Lines” on SportsCenter features Kraft and his foundation’s efforts to combat antisemitism, and the national ad campaign aimed at stopping hate crimes,” according to a network source.

Kraft sat down with Jewish sports journalist Jeremy Shaap to discuss the organization’s mission.

Original Ad

Back in October, Kraft, who donates heavily to Jewish causes, funded a TV ad that ran during an NFL matchup between the Patriots and the New York Jets urging NFL fans to “Stand Up Against Jewish Hate.”

The ad aired during a weekend in which NBA star Kyrie Irving shared a link to an antisemitic movie online and the message “Kanye is Right About the Jews” was projected at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Fla., during a college football game between the University of Florida and the University of Georgia.

“There are less than 8 million Jewish people in this country. Fewer than are watching this game,” read Kraft’s 30-second ad, which featured simple white text on a black background, set to ambient music. “They need you to add your voice.”

The ad was produced jointly by Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism and the Jewish Federations of North America.

Robert KraftThe Stand Up To Jewish Hate Social Media Campaign

In March of this year, Kraft’s foundation launched a social media campaign to educate all Americans about the rise of antisemitism and mobilize people outside the Jewish community to help address growing hate and intolerance.

“We are asking everyone to post and share #bluesquare on social media, using the blue square emoji on your phone, as a simple but powerful unifying symbol of solidarity,” said Kraft as the campaign launched. “We must do more to make people aware that antisemitism is a growing threat against Jews on social media and in communities across the country.

Join The Movement

Here are a few actions you can take to #StandUptoJewishHate and join this national movement:

  • Post and share #🟦 – an emoji already available on most mobile devices – on your social media channels, email signatures, and text messages, alongside a message of support against hate and intolerance.
  • Speak up and share your personal story with antisemitism
  • Follow the #StandUpToJewishHate campaign at @StandUpToJewishHate on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok to keep up-to-date with 🟦and learn more about antisemitism.
  • Visit www.StandUpToJewishHate.org to subscribe to the Foundation’s “From the Command Center” e-newsletter to learn more about how antisemitism is spreading online, learn ways to identify and report it, and find helpful tools and resources around antisemitism
  • Support the fight against antisemitism by making a contribution