Top Jewish influencers say opting out is not an option when antisemitism is prevalent

Jewish influencers Jonah Platt and Hen Mazzig argue that public Jewish pride is essential despite rising antisemitism. Platt's podcast features celebrities sharing their Jewish identity, while Mazzig promotes visibility. Both face challenges convincing public figures to speak out, but report positive outcomes for guests who do.

Jewish influencers Jonah Platt and Hen Mazzig argue that opting out of public Jewish identity is not an option in the face of rising antisemitism. Platt, host of the podcast 'Being Jewish with Jonah Platt,' says many celebrities and thought leaders decline to appear, citing fear for their safety or careers. He argues that private solidarity is ineffective when public spaces are surrendered to fear. Mazzig, an Israeli activist and co-founder of the Tel Aviv Institute, echoes this, urging Jews to share their stories publicly. Both have built significant followings: Mazzig has 459,000 Instagram followers, Platt 229,000. Platt's podcast is often the top-ranked Jewish podcast on Apple Podcasts, with episodes garnering over 50,000 YouTube views. High-profile guests like Cindy Crawford, Jason Alexander, and Mayim Bialik have appeared. Guests report positive outcomes: Seth Rudetsky noted feeling safe and receiving thanks; Sarah Hurwitz saw book sales double and triple after her appearance. Mazzig compares the call for Jewish pride to Harvey Milk's message for the gay community. The article also notes that some Jewish performers face backlash, such as Pink losing 100,000 followers for criticizing Macklemore's anti-Israel stance, and Jerry Seinfeld facing boycott calls. Andrew Pessin, a philosophy professor at Connecticut College, says his class on Zionism serves as a safe haven for Jewish students facing campus hostility.