Sixth-Form Students Empowered to Combat Online Antisemitism at Swipe Up Rise Up 2025 Conference
London – In a powerful demonstration of unity and resolve, sixth-form students from prominent Jewish schools across the UK converged on Thursday for Swipe Up Rise Up 2025, a dynamic social media conference organized by StandWithUs UK. This annual event, now in its third year, equips young people with the knowledge and skills to effectively challenge antisemitism and misinformation about Israel proliferating online. This year’s conference focused on empowering students to become confident advocates for Israel and the Jewish community within the digital sphere.
The day-long event, held at a central London venue, featured a diverse array of interactive workshops, inspiring guest speakers, and an engaging expo showcasing the work of various communal organizations. Representatives from prominent bodies such as the Union of Jewish Students (UJS), the Jewish Leadership Council, Magen David Adom UK, Masa Israel Journey, The Jewish Agency for Israel, and The Wellness Centre were present to engage with students, discuss opportunities for involvement and activism, and provide resources for education and support.
Yehuda Fink, Director of Education at StandWithUs UK, underscored the significance of the conference, stating, "Swipe Up Rise Up is a resounding declaration that the Jewish youth of the UK are not afraid to stand up to antisemitism. It signifies their unwavering resolve to call out hatred wherever it manifests and to proudly embrace their Jewish and Zionist identity.” This sentiment resonated throughout the day as students actively participated in sessions designed to empower them as digital ambassadors.
A highlight of the conference was the participation of renowned social media influencers including Zach Margolin (@zachmargs), Ben Rebuck (@benrebuck), Hadassa Goldberg (@therealhadassa), and the Modern Maccabee (@themodernmaccabee). These prominent figures shared their personal experiences, insights, and strategies for effectively countering online negativity and promoting positive narratives about Israel and the Jewish community. Their presentations emphasized the importance of factual accuracy, respectful dialogue, and building bridges of understanding.
The Modern Maccabee, who embarked on his content creation journey in 2021 in response to what he described as a "social media pogrom" against Jews and Israel, delivered a particularly powerful message to the students: "The lies are loud, but the facts are louder. Zionism is our indigenous liberation movement… we are indigenous people who have come home.” This resonated deeply with the audience, inspiring many to embrace their Zionist identity and speak out against the delegitimization of Israel. One student from Yavneh College shared, “It’s easy to feel scared to speak out. Hearing from people who are doing it every day made me feel like I can as well.” This sentiment encapsulated the empowering atmosphere of the conference.
The urgency of combating online antisemitism was further underscored by statistics from the Community Security Trust’s (CST) Antisemitic Incidents Report 2024. The report revealed a concerning trend of 260 antisemitic incidents in schools and a staggering 1,240 online incidents during the past year, accounting for 35% of all recorded cases. These figures highlight the pervasive nature of online hate and the critical need for initiatives like Swipe Up Rise Up to equip young people with the tools to combat it effectively. Yehuda Fink reiterated this point, stating, "Anti-Zionism is antisemitism. It is obvious to us all that anyone who engages in conspiracy theories or lies about Israel ends up down the rabbit hole of hating Jewish people."
StandWithUs UK, the organization behind Swipe Up Rise Up, is an educational charity dedicated to supporting Israel and the Jewish people through information campaigns, student programs, and community engagement. Their mission is to stand up for Israel and combat antisemitism both within the UK and internationally. Through its programs, StandWithUs UK empowers individuals to become effective advocates, fostering a more tolerant and informed online environment. The Swipe Up Rise Up conference serves as a vital component of this mission, providing young people with the tools and resources they need to tackle the pervasive challenge of online antisemitism and misinformation. By fostering dialogue and building bridges of understanding, StandWithUs UK aims to create a more positive and inclusive digital space for all.