Amid a rising tide of antisemitism, several celebrities have joined forces in support of Israel and the Jewish community. The “New Year, New Voices” campaign video message includes such familiar names as actresses Hayden Panettiere, Amy Smart and Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and model Cindy Crawford.
“Our newest @2024newvoices hero video is here featuring some of our favorites speaking out against antisemitism,” a video description reads on Instagram, “Please spread our message by sharing the video with your communities. We are strongest together.”
The celebrities in the video make a variety of proclamations. Some say “I’m a proud Jew,” while others stand up against anti-Jewish sentiment and encourage people to rally around the Jewish people. “I stand against antisemitism,” Crawford said at one point in the clip. Actress Mayim Bialik, who has been outspoken in her support for Israel since Hamas’ deadly terror attack, encourages people to follow the 2024 New Voices social media accounts to learn more.
Although some celebrities have condemned the October 7 terror attack, the “New Year, New Voices” campaign takes a broader aim at antisemitism, with its founder, Samantha Ettus, telling CNN last month that it’s important to reframe how these issues are understood.
“Propaganda has made people think that standing up to antisemitism is political — and it’s not,” she said. “It is just as acceptable to stand up against antisemitism as it is any form of hate toward any ethnic group.”
Ettus, who has rallied many other celebrities to take part, also decried the fact there hasn’t been as much lamenting of antisemitism at award shows and other red carpet events, citing a “lack of advocacy” among some in Hollywood. “We have become this population that people are afraid to stand up for, and this campaign is trying to change that,” she said.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice