Area billboards part of collective effort to fight antisemitism

Travelers on U.S. Hwy. 65 north of Branson may have noticed two new billboards, with a bold pink-and-white color scheme and the message, “An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.” The billboards are part of a campaign, with around 40 across the nation as of April and more scheduled to go up throughout the summer, aimed at preventing hatred towards Jews. 

Around 650 billboards are displayed in any given year, and the additional Missouri locations coincide with recent legislation signed by Gov. Mike Kehoe requiring Missouri’s public and charter K-12 schools and colleges to outline prohibited anti-Semitic behavior in their codes of conduct. The legislation, effective in late August, uses the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition of anti-Semitism, which reads, “Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” In addition to physical violence and threats, examples include denying the Holocaust or comparing contemporary Israel policy to that of the Nazis. 

The billboards are a project of JewBelong, a nonprofit organization which began as a resource for Jewish people, offering fun ideas for Hanukkah and guidelines for a Passover Seder; encouraging non-practicing Jews to become more active in their faith; and hoping to promote Judaism as relevant and welcoming. Co-founder Archie Gottesman said that in 2021, the focus expanded to include raising awareness about the evils of anti-Semitism, as incidents were on the increase even prior to the horrors of the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack; but the situation became even more urgent when that happened. 

“As a Jewish woman, I found this very frightening,” Gottesman shared. She began looking at ways to get personally involved, and to reach out to Christians. “There’s a compassion in all of us,” she said. “Most Americans are trying to be good people, but so many have a blind spot.” As an example, Jews took an active part in helping with the Civil Rights movement, but have since been deserted by some of same Christian groups they stood alongside. 

“We have a habit of gathering in our own faith communities, somewhat insulated from the larger picture,” she said. That began to change, however, when Gottesman attended a conference where she met some leaders of CBN, including Gordon Robertson, and felt warm acceptance. The connections led to the beginning of Christian Allies Collective, a growing network of Christian ministries, churches and leaders standing with JewBelong against antisemitism, including partnership in the billboards. 

Branson was chosen as a billboard location partly because of the number of people traveling to the area in the summer. After learning more about Branson’s reputation for music, family activities and patriotism, Gottesman realized the Branson area would fit the ideal billboard location demographic, having a high percentage of Christians but a relatively low Jewish population. Often, it takes just a little conversation to get Christians started thinking about the shared values of their faith traditions, rooted in the moral Law of a Creator God and preserved in shared books of the Old Testament. The billboards are a great way to spark those conversations; and the local message of “one of us/all of us” is a reminder that historically, when Jews have suffered, Christians have often lost freedoms also.

Another frequent billboard message is, “We’re just 75 years since the gas chambers. So, calling out Jew hate isn’t an overreaction.” Still another: “Can a billboard end antisemitism? No. But you’re not a billboard.” 

Gottesman shared feedback from a mom whose 10-year-old daughter began asking about the message after seeing a billboard while they were driving. The girl felt prompted to call a Jewish school friend and ask, “Are you okay?” leading to good conversation about their shared values. 

In the multi-faith effort, the Christian Allies Collective is growing as Christian leaders realize the importance of standing alongside the Jewish community. “Christian voices reach places Jewish voices may not,” says Gottesman, “and their solidarity makes it clear that this fight isn’t just a Jewish issue. It’s an American one.” 

A look at the persecution happening in many parts of the world shows that Christians should share that determination, even if the persecution does not—yet—affect us personally, just as we share moral values and a foundational belief in God. “I need to be able to tell my children and grandchildren that I did not stay silent,” Gottesman said, and Christian leaders in restricted nations say something similar.  

Sadly, there is currently little price to pay for anti-Jewish speech and even actions such as the defacing of property, but Gottesman and Christian Allies leaders are encouraged by steps forward, such as the Missouri legislation. 

When asked about practical ways Christians in southwest Missouri can help, Gottesman said that joining the Collective is a great first step, making a statement as a local church body; visit the “antisemitism” tab at https://www.jewbelong.com/, for information. The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews also offers helpful resources, including ways the Jewish holidays are significant for Christians; and locally, the Antisemitism Education Center of the Ozarks works to raise awareness. 

The billboards will remain up along Highway 65 through next April. One is located nine miles north of Branson Hills Parkway, and the other a half mile north of St. Hwy. 176.