Around 280 people gathered at the Mayerson JCC on Apr. 15 for the Jewish Federation’s “After Oct. 7” series, a conversation, and Q&A with Israeli activist Hen Mazzig.
Mazzig is a social media influencer and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and Israel. He founded the Tel Aviv Institute, an organization focused on studying and combating antisemitism and anti-Israel sentiments found on social media platforms.
“I saw there was a lot of antisemitism on social media, and things that start on social media trickle down to the streets…I started making graphics that actually changed minds more than my 800-word articles,” he said.
A key aspect of Mazzig’s efforts involves bringing attention to the Mizrahi experience and perspective, which are frequently overlooked or ignored in online discussions about Israel.
“My family from my mother’s side is from Iraq,” he said. “They were part of a community of Jews that lived in Iraq for centuries, and those communities were completely destroyed and ethnically cleansed.”
Mazzig addressed the crowd, telling them how important it is to take care of themselves while fighting antisemitism. “I think we need to remind ourselves to take care of ourselves as we face hate and people that have so much disregard for us,” he said.
Shortly afterward, a Jewish and anti-Zionist protestor stood and held a homemade banner. Amberly Police officers quickly escorted them out of the building. Throughout the event, roughly a dozen protestors interrupted Mazzig by standing up and holding banners that read “If Not Now,” “Tzedek Tzedek Tirdof (justice, justice you shall pursue),” and other phrases commonly used by anti-Zionist Jewish organizations.
Mazzig challenged the protestors in the crowd after they interrupted him as he told a story about surviving a terrorist attack during the Second Intifada.
“Don’t fool yourself,” he said. “It’s not about justice. It’s about you and your fragility, and you should be ashamed of yourself. It’s very hard for me to share my life story and share stories about violence and terrorism with really, such a sad display of privilege and inability to understand.”
Unfortunately, for Mazzig and other Israeli advocates, facing protestors, interruptions, and threats in person and online is nothing new. But Mazzig sees these challenges as a way to fuel and strengthen his resolve to continue speaking, drawing on his family’s story for strength.
“I draw power and inspiration from my grandparents, what they went through, and their struggle. It’s very hard to face this. I get death threats daily on my social media,” he said.
Despite the interruptions, the event continued, and Mazzig sat down for a Q&A with community shaliach (Israeli emissary) Yarden Neeman.
Since Oct. 7, when the terrorist organization Hamas brutally attacked Israel and took 250 hostages, many Jews living outside of Israel have noticed a troubling pattern: the loss of friendships with non-Jewish individuals. This experience also affected Mazzig and his partner.
“We have many non-Jewish friends, and we’ve seen how a lot of them really turned against us since Oct. 7; we lost a lot of friends,” he said. “I mean, it’s not like they didn’t know what my feelings about Israel are, but they decided to cut us out of their lives or just stop communicating with us. It was really heartbreaking.”
Mazzig highlighted that a worrying increase in antisemitism has marked the protests against Israel during the ensuing Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite assertions that these protests are not antisemitic, there has been a notable spike in antisemitic hate crimes both in the US and globally. The Anti-Defamation League reports that since October 7, incidents of antisemitism have risen by over 300%.
Social media has grown increasingly challenging for the Jewish community, especially for young adults and teenagers. Antisemitic content on these platforms has dramatically increased since Oct. 7. Mazzig was asked for advice for young Jews confronting antisemitism online.
“Young American Jews feel like they don’t have all the facts, whether or not they are experts, and I want to really tell you that you are an expert in your experience,” he said
“Every Jewish person who still speaks up about their Jewish identity is so brave,” Mazzig said.
During the discussion, an important topic emerged when Mazzig addressed a question on pinkwashing. This term refers to the criticism that Israel has promoted LGBTQ rights as a way to divert attention from its policies toward Palestinians. Mazzig has no problem criticizing Israel – to him, it is something he sees as necessary and does himself. He does draw a line at challenging Israel’s right to exist.
“We can disagree on many things but can’t disagree that Israel has a right to exist,” he said.
After the event, many in the Cincinnati Jewish community reported feeling a greater sense of security despite the (fewer than 15) protestors.
“I think if there’s any good thing to come out of the protests [it’s] that there’s not one Jewish person who walks out of here without feeling more strengthened in their Jewish identity,” said Leo D’Cruz, who was in the audience for Mazzig’s talk.
To Jewish Federation board Vice President Karen Goodman, the protestors were simply something she ignored.
“I was more focused on the hundreds of people that came to listen to him,” she said. “I think we all learned so much. I’m really proud that we have such a supportive Jewish community that has stood with Israel.”
To Mazzig, fighting antisemitism and for Israel is an act of resistance and a worthy fight, whether it is in person or online.
“Israel doesn’t have to be perfect to be beautiful…and Israel is imperfect and beautiful and nice enough for me to fight and risk my life for today,” Mazzig said.
