New partnership aims to build online spaces for Jewish teens through positive social media content and guidance on combating online antisemitism.
New York, NY, February 14, 2024 …Lost Tribe and ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) today announced their partnership to combine efforts to combat antisemitism through a joint initiative aimed at providing Jewish pre-teens and teenagers with safer online spaces and effective tools to confront antisemitism.
“Partnering with ADL, an organization committed to combating hate and antisemitism online, will help us to advance our mutual mission of supporting Jewish teens online,” said Lenny Silberman, Lost Tribe CEO. “Now more than ever, Jewish teens around the world are looking for safe spaces online to connect with each other — to discuss, to process, to find solace, and to feel the strength of community.”
Through the partnership, ADL will provide resources and training to empower Jewish teen leaders to combat antisemitism online and foster a secure online community where Jewish pre-teens and teens can engage with Jewish life in a meaningful way. ADL will also educate staff and teen leaders on effectively communicating with online communities about antisemitism and preparing for antisemitic and other hate speech in comment sections. All participants and staff will be encouraged to fight antisemitism by reporting incidents through ADL’s platform.
“As antisemitic incidents continue to rise worldwide, we must remain vigilant about the dangers of online hate, particularly for young people,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO. “Lost Tribe is a bright spot in an online landscape too often characterized by harassment and hate. Their positive social media posts and moderated virtual spaces give young Jews a real alternative. This partnership will help expand that light and push back against antisemitism online. We look forward to joining forces with Lost Tribe to build safer online spaces where Jewish teens can explore their identity and connect with other Jews globally.”
Online forums frequently serve as platforms for antisemitism. In a 2023 survey, ADL found that more than half of all Americans (52 percent) reported experiencing online hate or harassment in their lifetime. Teens ages 13-17 reported a sharp rise in online hate and harassment, with 51 percent of teenagers experiencing some form of online harassment compared to 36 percent in 2022, a 15 percent increase compared to the prior year. Additionally, 80 percent of Jewish respondents were more likely to worry about being harassed for their religion.
This partnership comes as antisemitic incidents are skyrocketing. ADL recently released preliminary data finding a total of 3,291 incidents between Oct. 7 and Jan. 7, a 361- percent increase over the year prior, putting 2023 on track to have the highest number of antisemitic incidents since ADL started tracking this data in the late 1970s.
About ADL
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.
About Lost Tribe
Lost Tribe brings Jewish peoplehood and identity to a vast and vulnerable Jewish community: teens. Leveraging social networking, influencer culture, and the virtual engagement platforms teens use every day, Lost Tribe embeds the next generation in a vibrant, Jewish community and network of peers. Leveraging teens’ passion for connecting with peers, engaging with content on social media, and participating in events online, Lost Tribe provides a fresh entry point to Jewish experience, values, and identity for a vast "lost tribe" of young Jews.