…I believe the only way to, quote unquote, end antisemitism — or at least make it subside or quiet down — is to be more proud, more loud, and take up more space. One thing we’ve often done is not take up space. For instance, did you know that Jews make up about 2% of the US population but contribute 20% of the charitable contributions? Yet, we often don’t talk about that. We created Hollywood but didn’t tell Jewish stories; we left ourselves out. Many Jews, especially in America, prefer to be quietly successful and ‘just Jewish at home’. But why not invite your entire non-Jewish community to Shabbat dinners every week? To me, the only way to reduce the impact of antisemitism — it will never completely go away — is to be as loud and proud as we can, to celebrate the amazing contributions of Judaism to the world openly. Often, Jewish communities have been hushed, avoiding too much attention or afraid to ruffle any feathers. I think that approach doesn’t work anymore. We need to grab a seat at the table, sit down, and be loud and proud. Maybe we need to be a little more Israeli about it…
I had the pleasure of talking with Noa Tishby. Noa, NY Times best-selling author, producer, and Israel’s first Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, has carved a unique niche for herself in the realms of entertainment and activism. Born and raised in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tishby’s early exposure to the arts led her to secure a drama scholarship from the Tel Aviv Museum of Art. Her early career in Israel’s entertainment industry included a wide array of roles in television, film, theater, and advertising, eventually making her a well-known figure across the nation.
Tishby’s transition from Israeli celebrity to an international advocate for Israel and against antisemitism began after her relocation to Los Angeles. There, she made significant strides in bridging Israeli creative content with American audiences. Her landmark achievement came with the sale of the Israeli TV show “In Treatment” to HBO, marking the first time an Israeli show was adapted for American TV. This not only garnered critical acclaim, including 14 Emmy and Golden Globe nominations and a Peabody Award, but also opened the door for more Israeli content in the U.S. market. Tishby’s role in this venture was pivotal, and she continued to facilitate the export of Israeli TV formats to major U.S. networks.
Beyond her production feats, Tishby has emerged as a prominent voice in advocacy. Her involvement began with the founding of Act for Israel, the first Israel-focused online advocacy and rapid response organization. She later initiated partnerships and created platforms such as Reality Israel, which hosts leadership trips to Israel for influencers across various sectors, further amplifying her impact on international perceptions of Israel.
In her capacity as Israel’s first-ever Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism, a role she held until 2023, Tishby represented Israeli interests on the global stage, including addressing the United Nations General Assembly. Her efforts extended to congressional hearings in the U.S., where she spoke on topics ranging from online antisemitism to campus antisemitism’s links to terrorism financing, and Hamas’ gender based sexual violence on the October 7th massacre.
Tishby’s literary contributions further showcase her commitment to explaining and demystifying Israel’s complexities. Her book, “Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth”, became a New York Times bestseller and was recognized as a critical resource for understanding Israeli geopolitics and culture. The book has been lauded for its accessible approach to a contentious subject, making Tishby a respected figure in literary circles.
Most recently, Tishby has collaborated with Emmanuel Acho on the book “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Jew”, set to release in April 2024. This work aims to address antisemitism through a series of candid dialogues, reflecting Tishby’s ongoing commitment to fostering understanding through direct communication.
Tishby’s professional journey is characterized by her dual impact in entertainment and socio-political activism. She continues to leverage her platform to advocate for Jewish and Israeli causes, balancing her life between Los Angeles and Tel Aviv, and embracing her role as a mother. Her efforts have not only made significant contributions to Israeli public diplomacy but have also provided a template for how entertainment and advocacy can intersect in the modern world.
Yitzi: Noa, it’s a delight and an honor to meet you. Before we dive in, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you…
Noa: Wow, how long do we have? So, a lot of my origin story is actually discussed in my first book, “Israel, A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth.” I talk about how I stumbled into activism through entertainment. In a nutshell, I was born and raised in Tel Aviv in a secular and liberal Zionist family. I took for granted being Israeli, Zionist, and Jewish because it was something that was all around me. I was certain that the entire world understands why Israel needs to exist, why it’s located where it is, and why antisemitism is harmful. I was very sheltered in that way. I started my career in Israel in the entertainment industry as a teen. I got my first scholarship at the Tel Aviv Museum of Arts. After the military, where I was a singer rather than a fighter, I moved to America to expand my career. In the US, I started to understand the level of misunderstanding people have about Israel. While people had severe misunderstandings about Israel, which is valid since I don’t know much about Denmark either, they also had very strong opinions about it. I was puzzled as a young, liberal Israeli about why people were so obsessed with a tiny country in the Middle East. This curiosity sent me on a journey to discover why Israel is so captivating and to understand where people’s perceptions are mistaken. This journey turned me into an unofficial ambassador of Israel and put me at the forefront of fighting antisemitism. I started my advocacy on social media and launched the first online rapid response organization dedicated to Israel in 2011. It became clear when I started writing the book that this is my life’s mission. I am extremely passionate about this work and saddened by how much it’s needed right now.
Yitzi: Great answer. So could you tell us a bit of the backstory behind your latest book? What’s the behind-the-scenes story?
Noa: Actually, the origin story of my second book is tied to Emmanuel Acho. Emmanuel, a former NFL star and a social justice warrior, wrote a book called “Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man.” About a year ago, he started noticing the rise of antisemitism. Interestingly, many people outside the Jewish community hadn’t really noticed this increase, though we’ve been trying to tell the world that there’s an emerging issue. However, Emmanuel did notice, and he decided he wanted to do the same thing for the Jewish community. He reached out to me and asked if I wanted to co-write it with him, and I immediately said yes. We started working on the book before October 7th; it was originally supposed to come out next year. But then October 7th and 8th happened, which brought an explosion of antisemitism and hatred toward Israel. So, we, along with our publisher Simon & Schuster, decided that this book needed to come out immediately. We put the pedal to the metal, and now it’s set to release on April 30th.
Yitzi: Wow. So what would you say is the main message that you want people to take away from you?
Noa: It’s not so much a main message as it is several messages. First, this is about communities coming to each other’s aid. Emmanuel, a leader in the Black community, noticed a problem in the Jewish community and stepped up to address it. One of the most important things about this book is that it teaches you how to have uncomfortable conversations. We live in a world where people get easily offended, which I find annoying. I don’t believe in safe spaces; I believe in real spaces. If there’s an issue, we should talk about it. I focus on managing my reactions rather than policing what others say. With a foundation of love, authenticity, and real friendship, you can discuss anything. So, we tackle very uncomfortable topics — going straight into anti-Zionism, Israel, the events of October 7th and 8th, and deeply into antisemitism, exploring how it changes, morphs, and evolves over the years. No topic is off the table. This approach is a testament to our friendship and our willingness to discuss anything and everything. I hope people learn from this book how to engage in these uncomfortable conversations and gain a deeper understanding of the Jewish experience around the world, which I think is often overlooked.
Yitzi: What is the “dream impact” that you hope your book will make?
Noa: It’s very hard to quantify the impact of my work because I see my journey as a 30-year process. What we’re seeing in society — the erosion of the standing of the Jewish community, the spread of antisemitic tropes, and the delegitimization and dehumanization of Israel and Israelis — has been building for decades. These lies and tropes have been around since the 1500s, just rehashed over and over again. So, my hope for my book and everything I do is not to end antisemitism — I don’t think that’s possible. Antisemitism has been around as long as Jews have been around, and it’s never going to go away completely. My goal is to make it less fashionable again, to bring back a time when such beliefs were shameful. That to me is the most important thing. I’m not burdened with unrealistic goals like ending antisemitism. Instead, I focus on making a difference one person at a time, one day at a time.
Yitzi: Is your hope that maybe other non-Jews will become allies?
Noa: Of course, absolutely. I think what Emmanuel did was so admirable in reaching out to be an ally in such a powerful way. I do hope more people will become allies. I hope we start mending our relationships because there’s been a palpable schism between the Jewish and Black communities that isn’t accidental; it’s been intentionally created by forces that have methodically come between us over the decades. We’ve let it happen. Though we have been allies for generations, now there are many issues. You can point to figures like Kanye West and Louis Farrakhan, who is perhaps the most famous antisemite in the world. These figures represent a lack of collaboration and cooperation between the Jewish and Black communities. We have not been actively working towards maintaining those relationships. That is something Emmanuel and I are working on specifically. The Jewish and Black relationship needs to be reimagined, and I hope to see a significant change there.
Yitzi: Are there other ethnic groups that you think are natural allies?
Noa: I think every ethnic group should be allied with every other ethnic group, and people should just be allies to people. It’s not about singling out specific groups or excluding others; we need to promote communication and understanding at every level. It’s not one group versus another.
Yitzi: You said with confidence that antisemitism will never end. Can you articulate why?
Noa: Because if you’re a student of history, you know it never went away. The first accounts of antisemitism date back to 300 BC in Alexandria, when people spoke negatively about these “weird” people, the Jews. Humanity tends to dislike “the other,” and to some extent, the Jewish community will always be seen as such. I am under no illusions that in my lifetime, or my son’s, or his children’s, we will live in a world where Jews are fully accepted in every way. We’ve had good times in the past few decades, and yet, here it is again. Growing up in Israel, I thought antisemitism was a thing of the past until I was shocked to discover it wasn’t. This revelation hit me hard when I realized people still harbor subconscious biases against Jews. For instance, people might think they’re not antisemitic but then say Jews are really good with money, echoing one of the most classic antisemitic tropes. Or they might believe in a Jewish cabal controlling the world. People who see themselves as not antisemitic may still think of Jews as different, not in a bad way, just different. But antisemitism is more insidious than other forms of racism; it’s a shape-shifting conspiracy theory. It’s not just about seeing someone as inferior but sometimes as conspiratorially superior, which leads to beliefs about Jews controlling the media or other institutions. So, it’s hard to fully eradicate because of its complex nature. My goal is for it to not be accepted in polite society anymore.
Yitzi: So, you mentioned that you think the root of antisemitism is that Jews are seen as ‘the other’. Is that the only reason?
Noa: Pinpointing a single root cause of antisemitism is challenging. All I know is that the first accounts of antisemitism described Jews as a people with different customs and ways of life, which made them stand out. When people see someone who is not the majority, they often wonder, “What’s wrong with them?” It’s a human trait to be suspicious of what is not like us. Jews have maintained their distinct traditions and customs for thousands of years, which can be annoying to their neighbors. As long as humanity doesn’t come to understand that we really are all one, we’ll continue to face antisemitism.
Yitzi: Some in the Jewish community have said this, that people hate us because they’re jealous. What are your thoughts about that response?
Noa: You know, historically, this idea has been both proven and disproven. When Jews were poor, they were hated; when they had nothing, they were still hated. So, anecdotally, it sometimes holds true. A lot of today’s antisemitism seems sprinkled with the notion that Jews are wealthier than they actually are. People often perceive Israel as the big bad wolf of the Middle East because they believe Jews are exceptionally strong, powerful, and controlling. These subconscious biases, where people don’t explicitly say they hate Jews but suggest Jews are good with money, look after their own, or are exceptionally smart, contribute to the problem. When a conspiracy surfaces about Israel abusing its power or lies about the IDF, those who hold these biases readily believe them. So, while I wouldn’t attribute all antisemitism to jealousy, it can be a factor. Throughout history, there has been a pattern of persecution against Jews, attempts by empires to take us down, and despite it all, not only surviving but thriving. That resilience could understandably be annoying to some.
Yitzi: So, just to clarify, you said that it’s antisemitic to say that Jews are good with money and that Jews control Hollywood. So a cynic would say, we can’t deny that Jews are overrepresented in banking, media, and Hollywood. And it’s a fact, a demographic fact.
Noa: I’m not going to deny it. Instead, I’ll reframe it using a thought pattern from my friend Eric Weinstein, which I absolutely loved and told him I’d use. He said it’s not that Jews over-represent, it’s that Jews over-contribute. Yes, we do over-contribute, especially considering our numbers. There are fields where there are a lot of Jews, and Hollywood is one of them. One reason is that Jews literally created Hollywood. They didn’t just create a movie business but the technology of moviemaking itself — the concept of filming a play and showing it in a room with chairs for an audience. That concept didn’t exist before. So, yes, Jews are over-contributing in Hollywood. Many Jews are in banking because, historically, they were the only ones allowed to be money lenders in Europe for centuries. And yes, many Jews are doctors and lawyers, driven by a Jewish emphasis on education and contribution, an obsession with being a part of society. Saying there are a lot of Jews in Hollywood isn’t antisemitic. The antisemitism begins when you shift from recognizing their presence to claiming Jews control Hollywood. That notion of control echoes the antisemitic trope from the “Protocols of the Elders of Zion” about a Jewish global conspiracy to dominate the world, which is a very old, widely spread conspiracy. So, the distinction is critical. I’m not denying that there are successful Jews in Hollywood and elsewhere, but if we supposedly had control, things like the Oscars and the portrayal of Israel in the media would look very different. If we have control, it’s certainly not effective.
Yitzi: I think one religious perspective, or religious narrative, is that if we make a Kiddush Hashem, if we act as a light to the nations, then we won’t see antisemitism as much. From a sociological perspective, do you think that’s accurate? Do you think if we do a better job doing our best to be role models —
Noa: Yes, and not just that. I believe the only way to, quote unquote, end antisemitism — or at least make it subside or quiet down — is to be more proud, more loud, and take up more space. One thing we’ve often done is not take up space. For instance, did you know that Jews make up about 2% of the US population but contribute 20% of the charitable contributions? Yet, we often don’t talk about that. We created Hollywood but didn’t tell Jewish stories; we left ourselves out. Many Jews, especially in America, prefer to be quietly successful and ‘just Jewish at home’. But why not invite your entire non-Jewish community to Shabbat dinners every week? To me, the only way to reduce the impact of antisemitism — it will never completely go away — is to be as loud and proud as we can, to celebrate the amazing contributions of Judaism to the world openly. Often, Jewish communities have been hushed, avoiding too much attention or afraid to ruffle any feathers. I think that approach doesn’t work anymore. We need to grab a seat at the table, sit down, and be loud and proud. Maybe we need to be a little more Israeli about it.
Yitzi: That’s great. So if you had your way, what would you want the whole Jewish community to do more of on social media or in public spaces?
Noa: It needs a broader strategy. Obviously, if you have a platform, use it to speak up. If you don’t, don’t worry about it, but do focus on opening your home to non-Jewish friends. Organize big Passover dinners, Shabbat dinners, invite your yoga friends to a Shabbat dinner — just be more open. The more open we are, the more people get to know us, the less they can hate us.
Yitzi: Many parents are very nervous about the future of America, the future outside of Israel, and even in Israel. What would you say to give hope to the Jews about the security of their children?
Noa: I’m very hopeful because all we need to do is look at history. History shows that it always ends with Jews surviving, succeeding, and thriving. This isn’t the first time we’ve faced challenges; it has happened many times throughout history, and we have always come out on top. So, I’m not worried in the long term.
Yitzi: A cynic would argue and say, yes, the Jews are going to survive, but many may be injured until then.
Noa: That’s a tough thought, and it does make me nervous. I hope we’re done with that kind of suffering. But it’s something that we, unfortunately, have to be conscious of while striving for a better future.
Yitzi: That’s great. That’s great. Amazing. Okay, so this is our signature question. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success, and you’ve written a bestselling book. Can you share with our readers the five things you need to be a successful social impact author?
Noa:
- Oh, wow. I’m going to quote Leonard Bernstein — hopefully it’s accurately attributed to him. He said that he knows no other muse than an X in the calendar. I love that. To me, this means you need to commit: put your money where your mouth is, sit down, and start working. Don’t wait for inspiration to strike — it won’t. If you have an idea, go out and start working. There’s nothing more daunting than an empty page, though of course, there are scarier things, but you get what I mean. So, the first thing is, do the work.
- Secondly, I emphasize the importance of sleep. You won’t function or think properly without proper sleep. It varies from person to person, but make sure you get what you need.
- Third, community and family are crucial. Have great relationships with your close family and your chosen family. It’s widely known that strong social ties have a significant impact on your mental and physical health and longevity. So, invest in your community, invest time and love, and remember, you can’t do it alone.
- Fourth, for me personally, yoga is vital. It helps maintain balance and focus, which are essential for any long-term project.
- Lastly, remember it’s all about the simple things. There’s no secret formula here; it’s all about the basics we already know but often overlook. So, keep it simple, and stay committed to those small, everyday actions that build towards greater success.
Noa: This is our final aspirational question. So Noa, because of the platform that you’ve built and your amazing work, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be?
Noa: The movement to eradicate jihadism. I believe that the culture and mentality and teachings of jihadism of radical Islam, obviously I’m not including all of Islam, all the Palestinians, none of that, but the culture of jihadism is a cancer in our society and needs to be dealt with and acknowledged as such. Jihadism is in its purest form a holy war to the death. That culture of Hamas, of ISIS, of Hezbollah, of Al-Qaeda, of Boko Haram, all those who truly believe that by oppressing women, glorifying martyrs, and killing themselves they are making the world a better place and earning a place in heaven, this needs to be eradicated without delay. It’s crucial that liberals around the world recognize this and address it openly, without fear of being called Islamophobic. This is preventing a meaningful transformation of the conversation around the Middle East. Until Western civilization can acknowledge that jihadism is a destructive force, we will not be able to effectively address it. Many in the West still do not fully understand what we are dealing with. That would be my goal if I could ignite such a movement.
Yitzi: So do you know what has to be done? That’s like a paradigm shift. What shift has to be made?
Noa: I’m not sure. There are people, from liberal thinkers to ex-Muslims, who have been sounding this alarm for a long time, people like Sam Harris, Bill Maher, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, and Mosab Hassan Youssef. They’ve pointed out that there’s a significant problem in that culture. If we as liberals are unwilling to critique it, hiding behind free speech, we’re not addressing the real issue. Jihadism doesn’t just threaten freedom; it actively seeks to destroy it. Therefore, I believe it’s absolutely justified to critically judge and challenge it.
Yitzi: That’s great. Noa, it’s been an honor to meet you. I wish you continued success and blessings and safety and good health for you and your family.
Noa: Thank you. Thank you so much. And happy Passover, coming up soon.
Yitzi: Happy Passover. I hope we can do this again when you do your next book. And you should only have continued success and blessings.
Noa: Thank you so much.
Social Impact Heroes: Why & How Author and Actress Noa Tishby Is Helping To Change Our World was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.