Fighting Hate with Action, Identity, and Joy
Antisemitism is once again making headlines across America, and nowhere is that more apparent than in New York City. Jewish communities are facing harassment, intimidation, and violence at levels many never imagined they would see in the United States.
The question is no longer whether antisemitism exists. The question is: How do we respond?
I recently sat down with Rabbi Manes Kogan, spiritual leader of Hillcrest Jewish Center to discuss exactly that. His answer was both urgent and timeless.
Courtesy of Rabbi Manes Kogan
“The first thing we need to understand is that this is not normal,” Rabbi Kogan told me. “We need to send a message to the leadership of the city and the leadership of the nation that this is unacceptable. The Jewish community is not going to accept it.”
His call was clear.
We cannot afford to remain silent.
“We need to be in the streets. We need to be on social media. We need to hold the perpetrators accountable where it hurts them. We need to identify those who hate us and expose those harming the Jewish community.”
For Rabbi Kogan, fighting antisemitism requires courage and visibility. Every rally, every conversation, every social media post, and every act of advocacy sends a message that Jews will not be intimidated into hiding.
But while public action is essential, Rabbi Kogan believes the Jewish people’s greatest weapon has never been protest alone.
It has always been our identity.
“The traditional Jewish way throughout the last 4,000 years,” he said, “is to become more Jewish.”
His prescription was simple but profound.
“Do more mitzvot. Learn more Torah. Pray more. Increase Jewish presence everywhere.”
Hatred should never push Jews away from Judaism. If anything, it should inspire us to embrace it even more deeply.
“We need more Jewish people being proud and happy and celebrating the fact that they’re Jewish,” Rabbi Kogan said. “This is the way we’ve always fought our enemies.”
That message resonates deeply with me.
When Daniel Rosen and I co-founded IMPACT more than two years ago, we saw a critical gap in the grassroots Jewish community. People cared. They wanted to help. But many didn’t know how to channel their frustration into meaningful action.
That’s why we built IMPACT around three simple words: Organize. Empower. Mobilize.
We believe communities need practical tools—not just inspiration. Whether through digital advocacy, leadership development, community organizing, rapid-response campaigns, or initiatives that celebrate Jewish pride and joy, our goal is to give people opportunities to take action and strengthen their communities.
Rabbi Kogan’s message perfectly captures this balance. Fighting antisemitism isn’t only about confronting hate—it is equally about embracing who we are.
Our enemies want Jews to live in fear.
Our response should be to live with even greater confidence.
Wear the Magen David.
Celebrate Shabbat.
Study Torah.
Perform acts of kindness.
Stand proudly with Israel.
Show up for your community.
History has shown that while others have tried to define the Jewish people through hatred, we have always defined ourselves through faith, resilience, community, and hope.
Perhaps that remains our greatest answer today.
Not simply surviving—but living proudly, joyfully, and unapologetically as Jews.
