Tell us about yourself.
My name is Lihi Cohen, I’m 25 years old and I live in Kfar Saba. I’ve been a part of FOA since early 2024. I made Aliyah from the United States in 2018 through the Garin Tzabar program, after spending most of my life there, and went on to serve as a basic training officer in the Navy. I’m currently in my second year of a Law and Business degree at Reichman University.
What inspired you to volunteer with FOA? Had you encountered online antisemitism before you began volunteering?
I started volunteering with FOA through Shahak, as part of my tuition scholarship from the Israel Student Authority. At first, it was simply a way to fulfill my volunteering hours, but once I got involved, I quickly realized how relevant and urgent the work is. I had seen antisemitic content online before, but never really stopped to think about how widespread or normalized it had become. Volunteering with FOA opened my eyes to the scale of the problem – and how even small actions can make a difference.
Can you tell us a bit about your role at FOA?
I volunteer as a recruiter at FOA, which means I’m the first point of contact for many new volunteers. My role involves reaching out to those who’ve signed up, learning about their interests and skills, and helping them find the right fit within the organization. It’s a bit like matchmaking, figuring out where their strengths and interests can best contribute to the mission. It’s a role that calls for strong communication skills – understanding not just where help is needed, but where someone will genuinely enjoy contributing. Alongside that, I’ve had the opportunity to support other teams and gain insight into different aspects of FOA’s work. Over the past year, I also helped with two major conferences, including FOA’s 2025 Annual Conference.
What do you enjoy most about volunteering with FOA?
What I enjoy most is knowing that the work I’m doing, even remotely, is contributing to something important. There’s a real sense of impact in helping people find their place in the organization and seeing how that support helps FOA grow. I also enjoy the flexibility of remote volunteering, it allows me to stay involved and contribute meaningfully while balancing a full schedule of studies and work. Even without in-person interaction, I feel connected to a larger mission that I believe in.
Has anything you’ve learned about online antisemitisim surprised you?
Yes, what surprised me most is how normalized and widespread it really is. Before volunteering with FOA, I knew that antisemitism existed online, but I didn’t realize how quickly hateful content spreads, or how often it’s disguised in coded ways. I was also surprised to learn how many people are actually working behind the scenes to report and take down antisemitic content. I saw how much effort goes into monitoring, reporting, and pushing platforms to act.
What are your hopes for the future in the fight against online antisemitism?
I hope that in the future online platforms will take more consistent responsibility for identifying and removing antisemitic content, rather than relying so heavily on volunteers to flag it. I’d also hope to see more awareness among everyday users – people who can recognize harmful content, even when it’s subtle, and choose not to ignore it. It’s not just about deleting posts, but about shifting the way people respond to hate online.
