US holds training for Jews aged 55+ on combating antisemitism online
In Queens, New York, USA, the nonprofit organization IMPACT held the Digital Defender 102 training for Jews aged 55 and older. Participants were taught to combat antisemitism online and use artificial intelligence and social media to spread content about Jewish pride, joy, and resilience, The Jerusalem Post reports.
About 60 participants
The event took place at Congregation Etz Hayim synagogue. According to the organizers, about 60 people took part. The training was led by IMPACT co-founder and CEO Aaron Herman.
Herman described older people as an underserved but highly motivated part of the Jewish community. According to him, they have valuable experience, seek change, and are ready to learn.
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Three stages of training
Digital Defender 102 is the second of three trainings developed by IMPACT. The first introduces participants to the organization’s mission and the modern social media environment. The third is devoted to advanced training in working on social media and organizing groups in the IMPACT app.
According to Herman, the organization uses rewards, incentives, and gamification mechanisms to involve participants in creating and sharing meaningful content and taking action in their communities. He also noted that some participants started without Facebook accounts and later regularly liked, shared, and commented on meaningful posts.
IMPACT also runs the Learn, Lead, Do program for high school students. It includes assignments on civic engagement, community service, content creation, and expressing one’s position on social media.
