Kraft-funded group works to boost engagement in antisemitism fight
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As antisemitic incidents escalate nationwide, the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism (FCAS), the nonprofit founded by Patriots owner Robert Kraft, is trying to reach Americans unaware of how bad the problem really is.
Why it matters: Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. jumped almost 900% in 10 years, according to the Anti-Defamation League.
- Kraft's group brought Wayfair and Boston Consulting Group veteran Adam Katz on as its new president to head up the mission to educate Americans about the pervasiveness of antisemitism.
Zoom in: Katz wants to focus on unengaged Americans, whom the group classifies as people aware and active against most forms of cultural hate and discrimination but not as aware of Jewish persecution.
- The group's programs work on early intervention to prevent antisemitism from becoming normalized.
What they're saying: "Jewish hate is effectively a gateway hate," Katz told Axios. "You see throughout history in the world and in this country, where Jewish hate starts quickly, hate against other groups follows."
By the numbers: 45% of Americans remain "unaware" of rising antisemitism, according to FCAS research.
- Jews constitute 2% of the U.S. population but suffer nearly 70% of faith-based hate crimes, they say.
- "They don't see Jewish hate as a significant problem. They don't see it as a relevant problem. In many cases, they think it's something that Jews can just solve themselves," Katz said.
- The group cites recent incidents like swastika graffiti at Brookline's Park School and harassment on college campuses.
By the numbers: FCAS operates with 20-30 employees and is backed by a $100 million matching gift given in 2023 by Kraft.