“As a Jewish person, I’ve felt an inner need to defend my right to exist for as long as I can remember.”
My name is Nino, and I’m a second-year student at Tel Aviv University. I made Aliyah in 2015 and have been living, studying, and working in Israel ever since. I’m currently studying Communications, Sociology, and Anthropology—fields that constantly push me to think critically about media, society, and the stories we tell.
Finding FOA
I first heard about FOA through a friend who volunteered here, though at the time I didn’t even know the organization’s name. Later, when I needed to choose a volunteer placement for my scholarship, I was scrolling through a list and immediately stopped when I saw FOA. Its mission stood out. It felt aligned with my values, and I knew I wanted to be part of this work.
What Volunteering Looks Like
Most days, I start with energetic music in the background and begin monitoring different social media platforms. At first, this was emotionally difficult. Reading aggressive comments and hateful posts takes a real toll. Over time, though, I learned how to do this work more effectively—without absorbing everything I see. I try not to spend more than one or two hours a day on monitoring, which helps me stay grounded.
Why This Work Matters to Me
The issue of online misinformation and fake content is especially important to me because it connects directly to what I study. I’m deeply disturbed by the amount of ignorance and lack of basic education online. Often, the most effective response isn’t arguing—it’s reporting harmful content and working to have it removed.
I know my individual contribution may seem small, but together with the monitoring team, we remove a significant amount of antisemitic and false content: posts, images, and videos. Seeing real results from this work is incredibly motivating and reminds me why I continue.
“Individually, my contribution might feel small—but together, we are making real change.”
Living With Antisemitism
As a Jewish person, I’ve felt an inner need to defend my right to exist since childhood. Growing up outside of Israel, antisemitism was more common than it should have been. Even when it wasn’t directed at me personally, I heard what people said about “Jews” and about Israel. Those experiences shaped me, and to this day, it’s deeply painful to see antisemitism spreading so openly online.
One of the hardest lessons I learned through FOA is that not everything that feels offensive actually violates platform policies. That can be frustrating. But the training FOA provided helped me understand these distinctions and gave me clear tools to work more effectively.
I always knew antisemitism was a serious problem, but I was shocked by the sheer volume of hatred, conspiracy theories, and insults posted every single minute. Sometimes it’s easier to imagine these comments come from bots—because it’s hard to accept that real people think this way.
What surprised me most was how developed antisemitic language has become. The most radical antisemites have their own slang, coded words, and insults. Over time, you start recognizing patterns and even different “types” of antisemites—those who want Jews to leave Israel, and those who want Jews to leave their own countries. The question of where Jews are supposed to go never seems to matter.
With the rise of AI, this has become even darker. Antisemites now create videos and images depicting Jews as monsters, demons, or reptiles. As disturbing as it is, I’m sometimes struck by how much time and creativity they invest in spreading hate.
The Hardest Part
The hardest realization is that these people genuinely believe what they write. They dismiss facts as propaganda and accuse anyone who disagrees of being “bought by the Jews.” These are people who have chosen a worldview and will cling to it no matter the evidence. It’s devastating to see how persistent hatred toward Jews remains—even after hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Sometimes it feels like we’re hated simply for existing.
Looking Forward
More than anything, I wish people had access to real education and accurate information. I wish they were taught how to think critically and not fall for propaganda. I also hope social media platforms continue improving their ability to detect and block fake and hateful content. There is already enough hatred in the world—we don’t need more of it.
Why I Volunteer
Volunteering with FOA has shown me that meaningful change is possible. On our own, we may feel insignificant. But together, we are removing harmful content, tracking dangerous actors, and pushing back against hate—quietly, consistently, and from anywhere in the world.
This work can be done from home, at any hour, on any platform. And its impact reaches far beyond the screen. What we do today helps shape the future we want our children to grow up in.