Hi! Can you share a bit about yourself and what led you to where you are today?
I’m Todd Edelman, 41, originally from New Jersey, and I’ve called Israel home for the past 19 years. After doing Taglit and Masa, I found myself craving a real change – something meaningful – and that journey ultimately led me to make Aliyah.
How did you first hear about Fighting Online Antisemitism, and what made you decide to get involved?
I first heard about FOA through a former employee, Shelly Yair. She was the marketing manager at the time, and we’d often talk about the organization’s work and the challenges they were tackling. Eventually, she approached me about helping rebuild the FOA website – making it more modern, more accessible, and giving FOA a stronger voice in telling the world who they are and what they do. That’s how I found my way in.
What does your day-to-day work as a volunteer on the web team look like?
As an organization that’s always evolving, there’s a steady stream of updates needed for the website. Sometimes it’s something small, like adjusting dates on an existing program, and other times it’s building an entirely new landing page. Whatever the task is, my goal is to take care of it with love, care, and attention – because the mission matters.
Coming from your background, what unique perspective do you bring to the fight against antisemitism and anti-Zionist hate?
I grew up in suburban New Jersey, raised Conservative, in a welcoming but mixed community. I’ve also spent most of my teens and adult life deeply immersed in the digital world – connected to the creation, publishing, and distribution of online content. So I know firsthand how powerful the internet can be… and how dangerous. Once something goes online, the damage can spread instantly.
Before joining FOA, how familiar were you with antisemitism and the ways it spreads online?
That’s a tough one. I knew it existed, but I didn’t realize the scale of the problem. Joining FOA has been incredibly eye-opening.
What do you hope will change in the online space in the coming years when it comes to antisemitism and hate speech?
With AI growing more advanced, I’d like to see a future where the internet can monitor itself better. Platforms that allow users to post content need far more robust systems to detect, flag, and stop antisemitism and hate speech before it spreads.
What message would you like to share with people – from any background – about why this work matters and how they can take part?
FOA gives you a real understanding of what online antisemitism looks like and provides the tools and training to help fight it – even in small ways that make a difference. The programs are free, and all it takes is a few extra seconds while you’re already online to help make the internet a better and safer place for everyone.