Andy Cohen, the face of Bravo’s hit talk show “Watch What Happens Live,” took a strong stance against antisemitism at the recent “Voices For Truth: Influencers United Against Antisemitism” summit in New York City. The two-day event, organized by the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM), brought together over 200 social media influencers to discuss strategies for combating online hate speech and promoting understanding of Jewish culture.
Cohen Reflects on Personal Experiences
While acknowledging his own fortunate experience with limited personal antisemitism, Cohen spoke about the impact it has had on his family, particularly his mother who grew up as part of the only Jewish family in a small Illinois town. He emphasized the importance of Jewish women in his life, crediting his mother for instilling in him a sense of pride and outspokenness regarding his Jewish identity.
Focus on Cultural Celebration, Not Conflict
Cohen made a conscious effort to steer clear of political debates surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Instead, he urged influencers to leverage their platforms to celebrate Jewish culture and advocate for the release of hostages being held in Gaza. He highlighted the power of cultural representation, suggesting that simply “representing Jewish culture with pride to your followers” can have a significant positive impact.
Leading by Example: Judaism on Watch What Happens Live
Cohen used his show, “Watch What Happens Live,” as an example of successfully incorporating Jewish culture into mainstream media. He discussed the show’s use of Yiddish words, popularization of the term “Mazel,” and the decision to light a menorah on air during Hanukkah. These subtle acts of cultural representation, Cohen argued, “resonated” with viewers and served as a powerful counterpoint to rising antisemitism.
Influencers Town Hall: Challenges and Strategies
On the second day of the summit, Cohen moderated a panel discussion titled “Influencers Town Hall.” The panel included social media creators Joseph Yomtoubian (dating content – 143k followers on Instagram), Lynn Shabinsky (yoga – 1 million followers on Instagram), and Melinda Strauss (recipes – 1.2 million followers on TikTok). All three panelists spoke about their decision to shift their content focus to include Jewish themes and advocacy for Israel during the recent conflict. The discussion highlighted the challenges of online negativity and the importance of perseverance in using their voices. Interestingly, Strauss identified TikTok as a platform with both challenges and opportunities, despite the lack of official protection for Jewish creators.
