Powerful Film Shows Communities Coming Together in Dark Times

Today, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS) is unveiling a powerful new ad – ‘Neighbors‘ – making its broadcast debut during the 96th Academy Awards on Sunday. 

'Neighbors' depicts a teenager whose bar mitzvah is interrupted by a bomb threat at the temple at which it was being held. What would normally be a momentous occasion in one’s life, celebrated with friends and family, quickly becomes one overshadowed by police sirens and fear. Based on a real-life story outside of Boston in 2023, 'Neighbors' shows how the church across the street stepped up to support this family and community, offering its space as a safe haven for the ceremony to resume. 

The story depicted in the one-minute 'Neighbors' spot represents one of many incidents as antisemitism is skyrocketing in the US and globally. 895 Jewish temples in the US received bomb threats in 2023 alone. 

'Neighbors' is the latest ad from Robert Kraft’s Foundation to Combat Antisemitism as part of its Blue Square campaign, building empathy and calling on people around the world to wear and share the Blue Square as a symbol of standing up to Jewish hate and all hate. Since its launch one year ago in March 2023, the Blue Square campaign has become a universal symbol representing this anti-hate mission and symbolises the need to constantly stand up for others. 

'Neighbors' also comes on the heels of FCAS debuting its first-ever Super Bowl ad ‘Silence’, featuring Dr. Clarence B. Jones. Known for his far-reaching impact in the fight against racism and commitment to the historical Black-Jewish partnership, Dr. Jones helped Martin Luther King Jr. to draft the famous ‘I Have a Dream’ speech. Like 'Neighbors', Silence shows the importance of not remaining silent in the face of hate.  

The final 'Neighbors' spot can be found linked below along with further information on FCAS.