On the first day in my new role as the chief communications officer and global spokesperson for Aish, I was invited to speak to the Knesset’s Immigration, Absorption and Foreign Affairs Committee about what is being done, and what can be done, to combat antisemitism in the world.
What I spoke about, are the questions that echo through synagogues, community centers and Jewish homes worldwide in the aftermath of the Hamas-led terrorist attacks in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Since that tragic day, we’ve witnessed an unprecedented surge in antisemitic violence and harassment—levels unseen since the Holocaust. While this in itself is terrifying, there’s something even more chilling: silence. The silence of Jews who can’t distinguish between Judea and Judas, and who lack the knowledge to counter hatred when confronted with it.
The statistics are stark. Nearly 70% of North American Jews remain unaffiliated with any Jewish organization. More than 60% of Jews in the United States have reported experiencing antisemitism. These are our brothers and sisters who often find themselves isolated, uneducated and frightened when faced with antisemitism. Many feel they have no choice but to hide their Jewish identity to navigate daily life.
Our Jewish students face this reality every day on college campuses, many of which offer little or no support against the rising tide of hatred. The harassment, vandalism and physical assaults that we have been witnessing aren’t just headlines; they represent shattered lives and violated spaces, attacking the very essence of who we are as a people.
We need to take this challenge head-on. I recommended to the committee that our approach needs to be unified and include as many collaborations and partnerships as possible. We must combine forces, as well as combine digital innovation with traditional Jewish wisdom. There is a need to not only combat antisemitism in its physical manifestation but also online while simultaneously creating safe spaces where Jews can learn, connect and speak out. New platforms and initiatives have already brought thousands of Jews together, young and old, but we need more. Aish is offering such a platform in our newly developed Aish+ and the United Against Antisemitism online community, which offers Jewish students, in particular, a refuge from the hostility often found on mainstream social media, as well as a place to gain valuable tools and knowledge that can increase their ability to stand up to hate.
Our combined strategy must be comprehensive and far-reaching. We need to expand positive Jewish influence and forums across all digital platforms—from TikTok to LinkedIn, from gaming platforms to X. Wherever antisemitism surfaces, we need to counter it with truth and education.
Jewish organizations, coupled with Israeli government offices such as the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs, the Foreign Ministry and others, need to create a robust strategy and implement it as soon as possible to empower Jews with the knowledge and tools they need to stand proudly in the face of hatred. Education must be at the forefront of this fight—because without understanding our heritage and values, we cannot effectively combat antisemitism. If we educate them, they can be soldiers in the fight with us. We need to reach that isolated 70% and help them elevate their sense of Jewish self-worth.
Unity is our superpower. By embracing all Jews, regardless of their background, we can create an unstoppable movement that transforms fear into pride, silence into a maelstrom of voices, and isolation into community. We must provide answers when and where people need them in formats they can readily access and understand.
The fight against antisemitism isn’t just about countering hatred from a reactive standpoint; it starts long before that and involves a major proactive mission to empower Jews to live inspired proud lives. Through education, community-building, digital innovation, collaboration and courage, we can create a future where no Jew will have to choose between their identity and their safety. The time for silence has passed. Together, we can reclaim our narrative and build a future where Jewish pride transcends fear.