Billboard Should Be Applauded for Raising Awareness of Challenging Time for Jews

Westword recently published an article about a billboard on Lincoln Street at Tenth Avenue in Denver that reads, “If you think turbulence is scary, try wearing a Jewish star.” The billboard is part of a campaign by an organization that fights hatred directed at the Jewish community.

The billboard highlights the lived experience of Jews who want to demonstrate their religious identity, just as a Christian might wear a cross or a Muslim woman a hijab. To instill fear in someone for doing so is as much anti-Christian and Islamophobic as it is antisemitic.

Anti-Jewish harassment, vandalism and assault have been on the rise for over a decade, and attacking Jewish people for their identity has been an unfortunate reality for thousands of years.

The article minimized the rise in antisemitic incidents by quoting Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) and by inaccurately describing how ADL counts incidents as antisemitic.

First, JVP is a radical anti-Israel group and not an authentic voice of the mainstream Jewish community. The article quotes JVP’s reaction to the billboard as if it somehow pits Jews and Arabs against each other or inhibits criticism of Israel. To the contrary, the billboard's express language simply points out that Jews should be able to display their religious identity free from fear.

Second, the article minimizes the quantity and quality of antisemitic incidents measured by ADL by inaccurately implying that whenever “Free Palestine” is used, it is counted as antisemitic. While opposition to the existence of a Jewish state and support for terrorism are considered antisemitic, the phrase “Free Palestine” is not — unless it is directed at Jewish people or institutions. Examples of this include when the phrase “Free Palestine” was repeatedly written on a whiteboard on the door of a Jewish college student; painted on or near a Jewish institution; and specifically yelled at Jews.

The billboard should be applauded for raising awareness of a challenging time for Jews in America.

Scott Levin is the ADL Mountain States regional director.