ST. LOUIS – Drivers may see some new billboards around the St. Louis area the next time they’re out.
JewBelong, a non-profit group, aims to fight antisemitism through national campaigns, including billboards. There are almost 600 billboards across the U.S., which sparked in response to the Israel-Hamas war, according to a release.
There are three new billboards that will be posted with the following messages from JewBelong:
On Interstate 64 at Sarpy Avenue: “There were once six million people who didn’t think a few hateful comments would lead anywhere.”
On Interstate 170 at Woodson Road and on Interstate 70 at Lucas and Hunt Road: “We’re just 78 years since the gas chambers. So no, a billboard calling out Jew hate is not an overreaction.”
According to the Anti-Defamation League, Missouri had a 100% rise in antisemitic incidents from 2021 to 2022, with a total of 30 incidents. Nationally, there has been an increase in antisemitism of nearly 340% since the Oct. 7 attack.
“Silence only helps the perpetrator; it doesn’t help the victims,” Archie Gottesman, co-founder of JewBelong, said.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, Missouri had a 100% rise in antisemitic incidents from 2021 to 2022, with a total of 30 incidents. Nationally, there has been an increase in antisemitism of nearly 340% since the Oct. 7 attack.
St. Louis has a Jewish population of around 60,000 people with 25 congregations and six-day schools, according to WashU Hillel.
Gottesman said the primary goal of the billboards around the country is to start conversations.
“Nothing is fixed unless people are aware of it,” she said.
The billboards will remain until March 10, but Gottesman said as they gain traction and popularity, there may be chances for more to be posted or to extend the time of the current boards.
