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Key people at StandWithUs.
StandWithUs operates as an international, non-partisan educational organization dedicated to informing and inspiring individuals about Israel. The organization develops and disseminates educational materials, conducts advocacy initiatives, and fosters community engagement across various platforms. Its comprehensive approach includes robust educational programs for high school and university students, specialized legal centers focused on combating antisemitism, and community outreach efforts like interfaith dialogue and public presentations. This multi-faceted strategy aims to ensure a well-informed understanding of Israel and its complexities.
The organization was co-founded in 2001 in Los Angeles by Roz Rothstein, Jerry Rothstein, and Esther Renzer. Their collective insight stemmed from a perceived gap in accurate public understanding and effective advocacy regarding Israel at the turn of the millennium. Recognizing the need for a proactive and educational response, they established StandWithUs to empower individuals with facts and resources, moving beyond reactive measures to cultivate a deeper appreciation and support for Israel globally.
StandWithUs serves a broad audience, encompassing students from K-12 through university, community leaders, and the general public seeking reliable information on Israel. The organization’s long-term vision is to foster an environment where people of all backgrounds can engage with accurate narratives about Israel, thereby countering misinformation and antisemitism. It strives to cultivate an informed global community that understands and supports Israel's existence and security, aiming for sustained educational impact.
Key people at StandWithUs.
StandWithUs (SWU), also known as Israel Emergency Alliance, is a nonprofit international education and advocacy organization founded in 2001, not a for-profit company or investment firm.[1][2][3] Its mission is to support Israel, combat antisemitism, promote balanced education on the Arab-Israeli conflict, and empower students and communities through leadership training, programs at schools worldwide, social media, films, and missions to Israel.[2][5] Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a four-star Charity Navigator rating, SWU runs initiatives on six continents, including campuses in the US, UK, Canada, Israel, Brazil, and beyond, without advocating specific Israeli policies.[2][8] It focuses on countering misinformation, BDS campaigns, and anti-Israel bias rather than financial investments, influencing public discourse and youth education on Israel-related issues.[3][6]
StandWithUs was founded in May 2001 in Los Angeles by Roz Rothstein (CEO, family therapist and daughter of Holocaust survivors), her husband Jerry Rothstein (COO), and Esther Renzer (international president).[3][4][5] The catalyst was the May 8, 2001, murder of Israeli teens Koby Mandell and Yosef Ishran by Palestinian terrorists during the Second Intifada, which highlighted perceived media bias and lack of organized Jewish community response.[1][3] After local leaders failed to form a coalition, the Rothsteins launched SWU from their living room as an "Israel Emergency Alliance" to educate on Israel's history, conflict context, and Jewish ties to the land.[5] It gained tax-exempt status in 2002, expanded with offices in New York, Detroit, Jerusalem, and elsewhere, and shifted focus to campuses amid student calls for help against anti-Israel activism.[1][2]
StandWithUs distinguishes itself through proactive, global education and advocacy blending innovation, transparency, and grassroots action:
StandWithUs operates outside traditional tech but leverages digital tools like social media campaigns, multilingual online resources, and virtual programs to amplify pro-Israel advocacy amid rising online antisemitism and misinformation.[2][5] It rides trends in digital activism and youth education, countering viral BDS and anti-Israel narratives on campuses and platforms, especially post-October 7 events that intensified its work.[5] Timing aligns with global surges in antisemitism and campus protests, where SWU's early high school interventions prepare students for college battles.[4] By influencing student leaders and public opinion, it shapes the ecosystem of online discourse, collaborating with governments and fostering pro-Israel networks that impact policy debates and cultural narratives.[3][6]
StandWithUs will likely expand digital and legal tools to combat evolving online antisemitism, scaling high school programs and global chapters amid persistent campus tensions.[5] Trends like AI-driven misinformation and Gen Z activism will test its adaptability, potentially growing influence through tech partnerships for education. Its non-partisan, education-first model positions it to sustain impact, evolving from grassroots response to a pivotal force in global Israel advocacy—ensuring balanced voices endure against bias.[2]
