Blue Light Project Update
The early spring flowers and chirping birds are reason enough to reflect on the success of ROCAA’s Blue Light Project this winter. Approximately 1,800 light bulbs were distributed to Rochester-area community members in connection with the “The Blue Light Project” this winter.
The Blue Light Project is a collaboration between the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester and ROCAA and calls on Rochester-area residents of all backgrounds to stand together in the fight against antisemitism. Funded by a generous donation from Kovalsky-Carr Electric Supply Co., Inc., participants in The Blue Light Project received a complimentary blue lightbulb for placement where it could be seen by those outside their homes to raise awareness of antisemitism.
According to the Anti-Defamation League’s annual audit, “[a]ntisemitic incidents in the U.S. jumped to a record level in 2022, up 36% from the year before.” However, many antisemitic incidents go unreported. Statements or phrases that might appear to a casual observer to be innocuous build and have incited violence against Jews. The Blue Light Project is intended to help kick-start the critical conversations that must occur to ensure that our leaders understand the ever-morphing nature of antisemitism and that they are empowered to speak up for their communities. Silence is simply not an option. If you have a blue light shining in your window, please keep it turned on through April 26, 2023, the 75th anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel.
“We were once again simply overwhelmed by the positive community response we received for The Blue Light Project. We had two lightbulb pickup points this year, the JCC and the Pittsford Library. We also had numerous churches and clergy members reach out to us wanting to participate in The Blue Light Project. Even the Monroe Country Airport welcomed travelers by lighting up the entire airport in blue light!” said Leslie Connolly, a Director of ROCAA. For a list of the churches, governments and others participating in The Blue Light Project, please visit ROCAA’s website located at www.rocaa.org.
“It has been incredible seeing blue lights shining all around Rochester in new places this year. We are grateful as well for the outpouring of corporate support we received this year as local businesses shined blue lights,” said Leah Goldman, a co-founder of ROCAA and Chief Planning and Programming Officer at the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester.
“We hope that many of the conversations that were inspired by The Blue Light Project continue and this project helps us build new bridges and strengthen old ones, which will result in genuine increased interaction and understanding among residents in Rochester” said Meredith Dragon, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Greater Rochester.
Please remember to save your blue lights for next year. ROCAA and the Federation plan to announce some exciting changes to The Blue Light Project this fall!