While social media can sometimes feel like a welcoming place to be–as it was for me years ago, when I found resources and support that helped me come out of the closet while in high school–during times of war and conflict, things like community, inclusion and support seem hard to find. 

Since October 7, I have been consumed by the negative impacts of social media. We witnessed in real time the atrocities Hamas committed, and we continue to see the horrific images associated with war. 
 
Since then, it has been impossible to avoid the many voices of people who, when conflating the Palestinian people with the terrorist Hamas organization, appear to support Hamas and the terror they pursued. While it is a disturbing reality that there are in fact people across the world that have diametrically opposed understandings of the inhumane cruelty that took place on October 7 and what it started, I once again have to remind myself that what enrages us, engages us.  

This event has laid bare the limitations and shortcomings of social media. Never before have I valued face to face conversations more than I have since October 7.  

I recently organized a group discussion with the Baltimore Jewish Council and Israel Policy Forum to provide people an opportunity to ask questions and have a dialogue about Israel and Gaza. Those conversations simply could not have happened on social media.  While there is a terrifying truth that there are people in the world who do not want the Jewish people to exist, I believe the vast majority of people in our communities simply have limited knowledge on the history and context of Israel and the rest of the Middle East.  

These people are looking to live in a just society practicing Tikkun Olam where antisemitism, islamophobia and overall hate do not exist. As evidenced from this group discussion, when we engage off social media with those same individuals, we are able to see each other’s humanity. As opposed to the world of social media, it is those conversations taking place in person that brings me some comfort.