In this Volunteer Spotlight, we talked with Shelly, who brings a deeply personal commitment to the fight against online antisemitism. From a family history rooted in resilience to her daily work tracking hate online, her voice is one of courage, clarity, and love.
Can you share a bit about yourself and what brought you to this work?
My story is inseparable from my family’s story — a mosaic of Jewish history marked by flight, survival, and resistance.
On my father’s side, my grandparents were born in the Middle East. My grandfather, fluent in Arabic, played a key role in smuggling Jews — including my grandmother — out of Syria and into Mandatory Palestine before 1948. My grandparents’ fathers even met for the first time — across a border fence, from behind bars. My grandmother’s memory lives on in a gold bracelet she brought from Damascus, one of the few items carried with her as she fled.
On my mother’s side, the story continues in war-torn Europe. My great-grandfather — a café owner in Nazi-occupied France — was executed in the street for refusing to serve SS soldiers. (in the picture, My grandmother’s bracelets,Damascus and Italy)
My grandmother, was abandoned at a convent as a child and grew up watching seasons change from behind cold stone windows, waiting for a mother who never came back. Years later, in Paris, she met her future husband — a Jewish refugee from Algeria, who had fled as antisemitism swept through North Africa. His mother, had herself escaped Mussolini’s Italy.
Each branch of my family carries a different chapter of Jewish exile. From Syria to France, from Italy to Algeria — they were all forced to leave behind homes, loved ones, and safety. Yet they never gave up. They rebuilt, resisted, and taught the next generation — taught me — to do the same.
It wasn’t hate that brought me to Israel. It was love. Love passed down through generations, love that chose courage over fear. This same love fuels my work against antisemitism online.
Taking a stand against online antisemitism
How did you discover FOA, and what inspired you to get involved?
As soon as I came across FOA, I knew I had to be involved. Fighting antisemitism online felt urgent — not just for Jews, but for the future of public discourse.
The internet has become a double-edged sword. While it connects us, it also amplifies loneliness, fear, and hate. I saw this as a call to action — to use the tools at our disposal to push back and reclaim space for truth and humanity.
A Day in the Life of a Monitoring Volunteer
What does your role on the monitoring team involve?
Each shift starts with checking the dashboard for trending antisemitic content — anything from new trending memes to the different codes used in posts or comments.
Some days I spend hours analyzing a single thread, carefully unpacking the context. Other days I can report dozens of violations. Accuracy is everything. We don’t just report content — we analyze intent, decode hidden hate, and document patterns.
“It’s Deeply Personal”
What motivates you to dedicate your time to this work?
When you carry a legacy shaped by generations that fought for justice, silence is not an option.
Every time I see antisemitic lies or incitement, I think of those who risked their lives for truth. My motivation comes from love — for my people, for Israel, and for a better world. Because this fight isn’t just for Jews — it’s for humanity.
A Unique Lens on Antisemitism
How does your background influence your approach to this work?
Being both French and Israeli, Mizrahi and Ashkenazi, with family histories shaped by both the Holocaust and the Jewish exodus from Arab countries, gives me a wide lens.
Antisemitism mutates — it hides behind politics, jokes, or so-called “criticism.” But the core is the same. My heritage helps me recognize these shifts, and respond with both empathy and precision.
A Wake-Up Call: The Reality of Online Antisemitism
What was your understanding of online antisemitism before joining FOA?
I knew antisemitism existed — I experienced it growing up in France. But I didn’t grasp its scale online until I joined FOA.
The sheer volume, the organization behind it, and the way platforms allow it to persist — it was shocking. Now, I don’t just see individual posts; I see coordinated networks and harmful patterns.
Hate Evolves — But So Do We
What has surprised you most about the patterns of hate online?
The creativity of hate. When one form is blocked, another takes its place. What’s most disturbing is how fast hate spreads and how organized it is. Algorithms reward outrage. This isn’t random — it’s systemic. That’s why our work mapping and reporting this content is so crucial.
Managing the Emotional Toll
What is the most difficult part of this work, and how do you cope?
The emotional weight. Some content is devastating — Holocaust denial, distortion, terror glorification, dehumanization.
To cope, I take breaks, listen to music, and lean on community. I remind myself that every harmful post taken down is one less voice spreading hate.
What Needs to Change
What do you hope to see in the digital space in the coming years?
Accountability. Platforms must enforce their own policies consistently.
I also hope for better digital education so people can recognize hate before they amplify it. And most of all, I hope for a return to compassion — to seeing each other as human beings, even in disagreement.
A Call to Action: Don’t Be Silent
What message would you share with others — from any background — about this work?
Don’t be silent. Whether you’re Jewish or not, your voice matters.
Speak up. Report hate. Support those who are targeted. Antisemitism is never just about Jews — it threatens the kind of world we all live in. If hate is allowed to spread, it never stops at one group.
The fight starts with awareness — and with action.
Want to get involved? Learn more about our monitoring team and how you can help at