European Jewish Congress- ‘StopThisStory’ Instagram campaign
Dear Friends,
We would like to inform you that the EJC launched today the ‘StopThisStory’ Instagram Campaign ahead of the World Holocaust Forum taking place in Jerusalem on the 23rd of January 2020. Please find below the press release.
We kindly invite you to join this important campaign by following the page, liking and sharing the stories on your social media platforms (Instagram, Twitter, Facebook etc.).
Following the example of President Reuven Rivlin and many celebrities, please post your photo according to the indications attached, share it on your networks and invite your friends and contacts to do so.
The movie trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GATazt1PsEs
The Instagram video:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B7RVWD8g5dG/?igshid=nzraqmbybbhw
Kind regards,
The EJC team
Ahead of International Holocaust Remembrance Day and the Fifth World Holocaust Forum:
The First Ever Global Social Media Campaign to combat Antisemitism is Launched, Titled:
“STOP THIS STORY!”
(Tuesday, January 14, 2020) – For the first time ever, a social media campaign was launched today with the aim of generating awareness about the problem of antisemitism, ahead of the Fifth World Holocaust Forum, where over 45 heads of state and world leaders will gather in Jerusalem to remember the Holocaust and find ways to fight antisemitism.
The ‘Stop This Story!’ Campaign, will be the first global initiative of its kind that will leverage Instagram’s AR (Augmented Reality) effects to drive a global movement.
Already, Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, supermodel Bar Refaeli, actress Vanessa Kirby (from ‘The Crown’), former NBA player Omri Casspi, and many other international figures, actors, entertainers, and sportsmen and women, have joined the campaign and created their unique images. Many other international stars have been secured to join.
Dr. Moshe Kantor, President of the World Holocaust Forum Foundation and the European Jewish Congress, initiator of the unprecedented international Instagram campaign that calls on the world to act and put an end to the never-ending story of antisemitism, said “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. 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,”
“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.” Kantor added. “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.”
Instagram’s virtual effects, launched a few months ago, have swept millions of users around the world to tell their story in a more creative way, but now, for the first time, they are becoming a tool for social change as part of this digital campaign.
The campaign recruited some of the world’s leading AR effects’ creators. It has gained the support of international influencers, each of them with millions followers, to create their own creative “Stop This Story!” effect adjusted to the palm of the hand, so anyone can easily and experientially create and share their “Stop This Story!” image on Instagram and join the global movement. (@stopthisstory)
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.
On 23 January 2020, the Fifth World Holocaust Forum will take place in Jerusalem, and over 45 heads of state have confirmed they will participate in this unique event. The event, titled “Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Antisemitism,” is being organized by the World Holocaust Forum Foundation in cooperation with Yad Vashem and the President of the State of Israel, Mr. Reuven Rivlin.
The President of France, Emmanuel Macron, President of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Italy, Sergio Mattarella, President of Austria, Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Russia, Vladimir Putin and H.R.H Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, are among the leaders who will participate in this historic event.
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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
By JEREMY SHARON, JANUARY 14, 2020
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 has secured the support of global celebrities and influencers such as 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 Israeli President Reuven Rivlin to help spread the message.
The campaign is being conducted on Instagram, YouTube and other platforms and utilizes Instagram’s new 3D effects capability, and the various 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 1930’s to the year 2020, will show the world that antisemitism did not end with the Holocaust and is gaining steam again to frightening levels,” EJC said.
The campaign comes following several incidents of violent, antisemitic terrorism such as the recent machete attack in Monsey, New York and the Jersey City shooting in December 2019, the Halle synagogue shooting in Germany in October 2019, the Poway shooting in California in April 2019, and the Tree of Life 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 all demonstrated worryingly 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 Dr. 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. 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.” Kantor added.
“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.”
The campaign has been launched ahead of the Fifth World Holocaust Forum at Yad Vashem next week, entitled “Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Antisemitism” which will take place at the Yad Vashem Holocaust museum in Jerusalem.
The President of France Emmanuel Macron, President of Germany Frank-Walter Steinmeier, President of Italy Sergio Mattarella, President of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and H.R.H Prince Charles, The Prince of Wales, are among the leaders who will participate in the event.
European Jewish Congress
