The founders of Bridge Houston discuss the origin of the group

Most of the original founding members of Bridge Houston gathered for a reunion on June 19 when member Shannon Nuszen was briefly in Houston from Israel.

Founding members of Bridge Houston included Ira Bleiweiss, Wendy Bleiweiss, Michael C. Duke, Rabbi Stuart Federow, Asaf Golan, Malka Levy, Shannon Nuszen and Vicki Samuels Levy.

The grassroots organization began 16 years ago, in 2008. It was the group’s vocal and physical response to local Palestinians and Green Party progressives who would weekly post anti-Israel — Jew-hating — signs from the Mandell Street Bridge over the Southwest Freeway during rush hour.

Israel advocate Ira Bleiweiss gathered like-minded people to develop a plan of action. They began painting and printing pro-Israel banners to display wherever anti-Israel protesters were gathering. The core group quickly attracted others to join them on the Mandell Street Bridge, week after week, before the anti-Israel protesters were expected to arrive.

Rather than attacking Palestinians, Bridge Houston’s signs drew attention to Israel’s commitments to peace and democracy and challenged anti-Israel and anti-Jewish propaganda claiming the opposite.

The number of Israel supporters who openly counter-protested against Israel and Jew haters continued to grow and included rabbis, notable community members of all ages, and politicians. The group gathered en masse to counter-protest against Jew haters in other locations, such as the Galleria area, across from the Israeli Consulate General on the southwest side, and in front of the Houston Holocaust Museum. The risk of encountering Bridge Houston forced the Jew haters to soften their message and act in a more civilized manner.

Over the years, Bridge Houston has attracted international attention with its pro-Israel billboards and interfaith work. Reports of these billboards have emerged in Israel and some Arab countries, including Bahrain Gulf News. The Times of India (the world’s largest circulation English-language newspaper) wrote about the Hindu-Jewish Solidarity Day events at Bridge Houston.

Supporters of the bridge also participated in Houston’s Martin Luther King Day parade and sponsored speakers for discussions about the Jewish people’s right to their homeland.