Workshop hosts Jews aged 55 and up, teaches them to confront online antisemitism

A workshop focusing on confronting antisemitism and amplifying Jewish pride, joy, and resilience through the use of artificial intelligence and social media was held at the Congregation Etz Hayim synagogue in Queens, New York, on Thursday.

The workshop, titled "Digital Defender 102," was run by IMPACT, a nonprofit organization founded after the October 7 massacre to organize, empower, and mobilize the Jewish community and its allies, according to the organization's CEO and co-founder Aaron Herman, who led the event.

About sixty people participated in the workshop, designed for those aged 55 and up, a group Herman described as an "underserved yet incredibly motivated part of our community."

"They have valuable experience, the desire to make a difference and an eagerness to learn," he said. "Through our training programs, we have seen how strongly they want to find their voices, speak up and take meaningful action."

Digital Defender 102 is the second of three such workshops developed by IMPACT; the first introduces participants to the organization's mission and the modern social media landscape, while the third explores advanced social media training and group organization within the IMPACT app.

"Through rewards, incentives, and gamification, we are creating a dynamic and engaging experience that motivates people to participate, have fun, and mobilize around shared goals," said Herman. "Participants can create and share meaningful content, take action in their communities, and inspire others - transforming individual voices and everyday actions into collective impact."

Herman noted the inspiration of watching program participants progress "from not even having a Facebook account to regularly liking, sharing, and engaging with meaningful content."

"That is what IMPACT is all about," he emphasized. "Giving people the tools, confidence, and community to transform small actions into meaningful change."

IMPACT also runs a program for high school students known as their "Learn, Lead, Do" model, designed to empower them to "stand up, speak out and make a meaningful difference online and in their communities."

"Students complete dynamic missions ranging from civic action and community service to creating content and making their voices heard on social media," Herman said. "The program gives young people the knowledge, leadership skills and confidence to turn their values into action."

Alex Carson contributed to this report.