Fight against antisemitism goes viral with ‘Stop this Story’ campaign

Bar Refaeli, Dr. Ruth, The Crown’s Vanessa Kirby, President Reuven Rivlin helping spread message against global resurgence of Jew hatred

JANUARY 14, 2020 19:12

Bar Refaeli and Omri Casspi participate in ‘Stop this Story’ campaign (photo credit: EUROPEAN JEWISH CONGRESS) — Bar Refaeli and Omri Casspi participate in ‘Stop this Story’ campaign

(photo credit: EUROPEAN JEWISH CONGRESS)

The fight against the resurgence of antisemitism is being taken to social media in an effort to broaden awareness of the problem and create a modern and relevant dialogue about this ancient scourge.

The “Stop this Story!” campaign initiated by the European Jewish Congress (EJC) has secured the support of global celebrities and influencers, including Israeli supermodel Bar Refaeli, actress Vanessa Kirby of the hit Netflix show The Crown, sex therapist and Holocaust survivor Dr. Ruth, former NBA player Omri Casspi and President Reuven Rivlin, to help spread the message.

The campaign, conducted on Instagram, YouTube and other platforms, utilizes Instagram’s 3D-effects capability. The personalities involved in the project have created images of themselves holding up their hands bearing the words: “Stop this Story!”

In addition, a time-lapse video project, featuring Dr. Ruth Westheimer, 91, the world-renowned sex therapist, media personality and Holocaust survivor, will be posted on Instagram and other social-media platforms in a series of stories. The video highlights the never-ending story of antisemitism, utilizing impressive visual techniques.

“Using these technologies, including time lapse, the endless story of antisemitism, from the 1930s to the year 2020, will show the world that antisemitism did not end with the Holocaust and is gaining steam again to frightening levels,” the EJC said.

View this post on Instagram

Put an end to the never ending story of antisemitism.
A post shared by @ stopthisstory on Jan 13, 2020 at 12:28pm PST

The campaign follows several violent incidents and acts of antisemitic terrorism, including the recent machete attack in Monsey, New York, the shooting in Jersey City, New Jersey, last December, the synagogue shooting in Halle, Germany, last October, the synagogue shooting in Poway, California, last April and the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in October 2018.

Antisemitic incidents in the US, the UK and France are at record highs, while recent surveys by the European Union, CNN and the Anti-Defamation League have indicated high levels of antisemitic sentiment and belief across the Western world.

“Antisemitism, in all its various forms, harms Jews around the world on a daily basis, whether in their homes, streets, schools, universities, synagogues and online,” said Moshe Kantor, president of the World Holocaust Forum Foundation and the European Jewish Congress, upon the launch of the Stop this Story! campaign.

“This phenomenon causes more than 80% of the Jews of Europe to fear for their safety and more than 40% of them to consider leaving their homes and communities,” he said. “The best way to spread any message today is through social media, because social networks and those who use them have the power to make the necessary changes in our societies.”

“Instagram users are a significant demographic segment that is growing rapidly, and I have always argued that the best way to fight any form of prejudice is through education and awareness. Creating awareness of the story of antisemitism is the first step necessary to stopping it,” Kantor said.

The campaign was launched ahead of the Fifth World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem next week, entitled “Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Antisemitism.”

French President Emmanuel Macron, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Russian President Vladimir Putin and the UK’s Prince Charles are among the leaders expected to participate in the event.