The power of influence
Five young, passionate voices stepping up to challenge misconceptions and fight against antisemitism.
Since October 7, the role of influencers and content creators in advocating for Israel has undergone a profound transformation. What was once a space for lifestyle, entertainment and personal branding has become a battleground for truth, resilience and unwavering support for the Jewish state. Social media is no longer just a tool for engagement, it is a weapon against misinformation, a platform for unity and a means to amplify voices that refuse to be silenced.
Q: Since October 7, how has your role as an influencer evolved in advocating for Israel on social media?
Zach Margolin: Before October 7, I was already creating light-hearted Jewish and Israeli comedy – bringing people joy, building pride and celebrating our culture. But since the attacks, my role has shifted significantly. I still aim to make people laugh, but there’s now a deeper sense of responsibility: to humanise Israelis, counter antisemitism and make sure the world doesn’t forget what happened. I’ve found that mixing humour, empathy and storytelling has allowed me to reach both Jewish and non-Jewish audiences in a way that’s powerful and engaging.
Abraham Hamra: I had been speaking out before October 7, from the perspective of a Jew from Syria displaced by this very same hate. What led me to speak out was an unchecked assault against a Jew in New York in broad daylight. Post-October 7, my messaging has become more direct, more straightforward. I also introduced Arabic to my videos, hoping to capture moderate Arabs and Muslims to join our fight against extremism and for Israel. My goal is to build coexistence and bridge-building with the Arab world, based on respect and honest conversations.
Moshe Shear: Before the war, the content I created lacked purpose. I posted whatever I thought would get views and my motivation for posting was self-serving. On October 7, my close friend and roommate David Newman was murdered at the Nova music festival. After founding an organisation called “Let’s Do Something – in memory of David Newman” with my friends, I became its CMO. Suddenly, my content meant something bigger than me. I found my purpose and I’ve dedicated every single day since then to honouring David’s name and fighting for the Jewish people.
Talia Raab: Since October 7, my role as an influencer has become something much deeper – a personal mission rooted in truth, purpose and responsibility. I’ve been advocating for Israel for years, long before the war – organising rallies, standing up to antisemitism on campus and using my voice to speak out. But after October 7, something shifted. I realised just how loud the misinformation and anti-Israel propaganda had become – and how quickly it was drowning out our truth. I couldn’t sit back and watch that happen. So I did what I knew how to do: I spoke up. After my first video went viral on October 9, I fully shifted my focus to the digital space, because social media had become the new battlefield. I’ve made it my goal to empower Jewish communities in the Diaspora, amplify the real voices of those on the ground in Israel and take back control of the narrative – to tell the true story of Israel and the Jewish people.
Max Veifer: Before October 7, I was mostly known for creating funny, lighthearted videos with Israelis and strangers online. I used OmeTV as my main platform and while I occasionally encountered antisemitism, I never saw myself as an activist or advocate. My content was about entertainment. But when the Hamas terror attack happened, everything changed overnight. I had just returned from a long trip abroad and was in my hometown, Ashdod, when the first rocket alarms started at 6am. It took me 12 hours to even process the scale of what was happening – a massacre, a war and a surge of global antisemitism unlike anything I had ever seen.
At first, I wasn’t sure how to react. But as the shock faded, I realised I couldn’t just go back to making jokes while my country was under attack. I shifted my content to focus on Israel’s story, exposing antisemitism and countering misinformation. Because I had been using OmeTV long before the war, I quickly noticed a drastic increase in hate. People were openly celebrating the attack, denying what happened and even threatening me just for being Israeli. Instead of ignoring it, I started documenting these interactions, showing my audience the raw and unfiltered antisemitism that was spreading worldwide. I also took a more active role in exposing antisemites.
Q: What have been the biggest challenges and rewards of using your platform to defend Israel in the digital space?
Zach Margolin: The biggest challenge has been the sheer amount of hate and misinformation and the emotional toll. Every post can lead to backlash and staying mentally strong while consistently showing up isn’t always easy. But amidst these challenges, I’ve built real relationships with people whose lives have been directly impacted – former hostages, soldiers, families of hostages and those who’ve lost loved ones. The messages I get from strangers who say my content has helped them feel less alone, more seen, or more proud to be Jewish – that’s what keeps me going.
Abraham Hamra: This advocacy took a significant toll on my business. It took a lot of my time and focus away from my work and my immigration law firm faced backlash, losing some clients in the process. However, I believe parnassah (livelihood) comes from Hashem and He has proved me right. The most meaningful aspect has been reading messages from people telling me that my words empowered or comforted them – especially when I receive messages from people in Israel or IDF soldiers. These messages are the greatest zechut (merit) and reward I could ever receive.
Moshe Shear: Being a content creator in the Israel advocacy space isn’t as glamorous as it might seem online. It’s hard work and can be incredibly consuming. But I won’t complain – 18-year-olds are risking their lives fighting for Israel on the real battlefield as we speak. The least we can do is combat antisemitism online. This work has given me the opportunity to impact thousands of people across the world – something I will never take for granted. It has also introduced me to people who have broadened my understanding of this war and life in general.
Talia Raab: The information war feels never-ending, with no clear finish line in sight. As Jews making up less than 0.02 per cent of the global population, we face significant challenges. Social media algorithms are stacked against us and pro-Israel voices are constantly being silenced or shadowbanned. It can feel like an uphill battle. Yet, this journey has also opened doors I never thought possible. I’ve had the chance to meet incredible people, speak around the world and see firsthand how my content is making an impact.
Max Veifer: The hate and threats have been staggering. Since the war began, I’ve faced an unprecedented wave of antisemitism online and in real life. Trying to debunk lies and spread the truth is an uphill battle because misinformation spreads faster than facts. But amidst these challenges, seeing the real-world impact of my content has been incredibly fulfilling. Exposing antisemites has led to job terminations, investigations and legal action. I receive messages every day from people – Jews and non-Jews – thanking me for speaking up. This journey has given me a stronger sense of purpose beyond entertainment.
Q: This Yom Ha’atzmaut, what message do you hope to share with your followers about Israel and its resilience?
Zach Margolin: Israel is still here. After everything – after unspeakable loss, heartbreak and ongoing threats – our spirit hasn’t been broken. If anything, it’s been strengthened. This Yom Ha’atzmaut, I want to remind people that Israel isn’t just a place – it’s a people. A family. One that dances in the face of fear, sings in bomb shelters and keeps finding ways to love, laugh and live. That’s resilience.
Abraham Hamra: We as a nation have faced enemy after enemy, each hell-bent on our destruction. We have endured some of the fiercest Jew-haters in history, including Nazi Germany. And yet, even without Israel, we not only survived but thrived. Today, the world is angry because their antisemitic inclinations are taking over – they want to act on them. But Israel stands in the way. Israel is a strong, beautiful and moral country and it is not going anywhere. Our resilience and advocacy make it stronger.
Moshe Shear: We are not Jews with trembling knees. Israelis are the strongest and most resilient people in the world and we will never be defeated. To Jews in the Diaspora – while our brothers and sisters fight for us on the battlefield, we have a duty to fight for them. Whether that means attending your local rally, waving your Israeli flag, wearing your Star of David, or advocating online – we need to do something. Every day. Until this war is over, Hamas is eradicated and every hostage is brought home.
Talia Raab: Being Jewish isn’t about victimhood. It’s about strength. Pride. Resilience. We are witnessing history try to repeat itself – once again, the world is testing our right to exist. But we are not the Jews of generations past. We are not Jews with trembling knees. We have a homeland. We have a voice. And as long as Israel is standing, we are not going anywhere. We celebrate who we are – a people that chooses life, keeps showing up and builds a future no matter what’s thrown at us.
Max Veifer: Israel is unbreakable. Since October, we have experienced one of the darkest periods in Israel’s history. We have mourned, we have fought and we have seen a global wave of antisemitism unlike anything in recent memory. But through it all, we are still here. We still stand. We still celebrate. Do not let them silence us. Be proud of who you are, be proud of Israel and never stop speaking the truth. Am Yisrael chai – the people of Israel live!
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