A year can change everything. For Chalva, it meant leaving France behind and choosing a new life in Jerusalem. But her story isn’t just about where she moved—it’s about what pushed her, and what she refused to accept. In this interview, she shares how she turned fear into action with FOA.
Please share a bit about yourself and what led you to where you are today.
My name is Chalva. I grew up in France and went on to university after high school. The events of October 7 marked a turning point in my life. On campus, pro-Palestinian demonstrations escalated, anti-Israel and antisemitic flyers appeared regularly, and openly hostile remarks became alarmingly common. I no longer felt safe—or even welcome. After much reflection, I decided to make aliyah exactly one year ago. Today, I’m studying speech therapy in Jerusalem, a field I deeply love and find profoundly fulfilling.
How did you first hear about Fighting Online Antisemitism, and what inspired you to get involved?
A friend who was aware of what I’d experienced in France introduced me to FOA. The moment she described their mission, I felt an immediate connection. It offered a concrete, meaningful way to stand up to the hatred I had personally endured.
What does your day-to-day work as a volunteer on the monitoring team look like?
Each day, I monitor social media platforms to identify and report antisemitic content. This involves recognizing problematic posts, assessing their context and intent, and categorizing or forwarding them accordingly. I also stay informed about evolving symbols, language, and online trends used to spread hate. It’s meticulous, ongoing work—but it’s vital, and it matters deeply.
What motivates you to dedicate your time and energy to this effort?
My motivation stems directly from my own experiences. Facing antisemitism in France left a lasting impact on me, and I don’t want others to suffer in silence. Reporting this content might seem like a small act, but to me, it’s a powerful way to protect others and push back against something that has already caused immense harm.
How does your background shape the perspective you bring to combating antisemitism and anti-Zionist hate?
My experience in France taught me how easily antisemitism can become normalized—even in spaces that claim to value tolerance. It heightened my awareness of the more subtle and coded forms of hate that can go unnoticed. Having lived in both France and Israel, and speaking French, Hebrew, and English, I’m also able to recognize how these narratives shift across languages and cultural contexts.
Before joining FOA, how aware were you of the ways antisemitism spreads online?
Before FOA, my understanding was limited to what I had personally seen or experienced. I knew social media played a role, but I hadn’t grasped just how widespread—and how systematically organized—this hatred had become. FOA gave me the tools to recognize the scope of the problem, the symbols being used, and the ways perpetrators exploit platform loopholes.
What has surprised you most in your work with FOA?
What’s most surprising is how rapidly hate content evolves. Whether through wordplay, sarcasm, coded language, memes, or distorted images, people are constantly inventing new ways to express the same dangerous messages. And the speed with which a single post can spawn dozens or even hundreds of variations is deeply unsettling.
What’s the most challenging part of this work, and how do you manage it?
The hardest part is the constant exposure to hostile, sometimes violent content. It can be emotionally draining. When it becomes overwhelming, I step back and give myself the space to recharge. Taking that time helps me return to the work with clarity and strength.
What changes do you hope to see in how antisemitism is addressed online in the coming years?
I hope platforms become significantly more responsive and consistent in handling reports of hate speech. Transparency in how they make decisions is essential. More broadly, I’d like to see a cultural shift—one where users themselves refuse to normalize hate and take responsibility for the content they engage with and amplify.
What message would you share with others—regardless of background—about why this work matters and how they can contribute?
I want people to understand that anyone can help combat online hate. You don’t need to be an expert. Simply reporting offensive content, refusing to share it, staying informed, and supporting positive initiatives all make a real difference. The more people get involved—even in small ways—the safer and more respectful the online world becomes for everyone.