The Jewish Federation of Greater Chattanooga wants Chattanoogans to fight antisemitism, and it’s sending the message in part via nine new pink billboards around town.
As anti-Jewish rhetoric and incidents garner attention in Chattanooga and at the national level, the group Monday launched an antisemitism awareness campaign unprecedented in its history.
“We feel this is very bold,” said federation Executive Director Michael Dzik by phone, adding the billboards, which will display the messages for eight weeks, are meant to be provocative.
The idea is to spur complacent individuals to call out antisemitic talk when they hear it — and to proactively work to prevent its spread in their own communities.
“Can a billboard end antisemitism?” reads one set of signs. “No. But you’re not a billboard.”