“My mom all the time informed me, “You do not know what anti-Semitism is. Maya Vorobyov, government director of Talkisrael, an Israeli- and US-based nonprofit, says Maya Vorobyov, who is devoted to shaping social media conversations with rising English-speaking content material creators.
Through partaking content material highlighting Israel’s wealthy tradition, music, meals, artwork and way of life, Tokisrael connects with Gen Z audiences who could not know a lot about Israel but. Born in 1993 to a Russian immigrant dwelling in Ramre, Volobyov was raised by grandparents of Holocaust survivors. Maya Vorobyov, government director of Talkisrael, shall be on the stage at Vlogger Nas Daily. (Credit: Talkisrael)
She says she grew up in Israel and has not skilled the identical robust emotions about Zionism her dad and mom and grandparents dropped at them from Russia. “I grew up in very totally different areas in very secular conditions. We did not observe Shabbat, and why did they not know that [my family] “I used to be so obsessive about Zionism, why was it so necessary to them,” she says.
“As an individual born in Israel, I could not perceive why I used to be pressured to talk a overseas language. [Russian] All of my classmates spoke Hebrew. But my grandparents insisted it and believed that language is energy, so if I needed to escape, I’d have one other language beneath my belt. My grandpa gave me a greenback for every web page I had a tough time studying in Russian.
“I took Zionism and Judaism with no consideration. I by no means imagined that I might be focused for my identification. I nonetheless keep in mind when my historical past trainer identified to me and stated, “I would not have skilled something my grandparents had skilled due to your look.” ” (Credit: Talkisrael)
After graduating from highschool, Vorobyov initially utilized to function an elite dancer at IDF. This is a well known designation awarded to people who excel in sports activities, music, dance, and extra. The IDF acknowledges this standing as extremely significant and acknowledges each his lifelong dedication to his craft and his contribution to the state of Israel.
However, the damage modified her path. Instead, she utilized to be a producer and choreographer for the IDF band. After being accepted, she took on the function of management, the place she labored with troopers at particular occasions, ceremonies and delegations to the United States. She helped enhance morale and produce moments of pleasure in the course of the operation. This is a mission that strongly formed who she is right this moment.
“It was the primary time I’d ever had any actual expertise with the Jewish neighborhood right here in America,” she remembers. “I noticed how they realized [Americans] I used to be shocked to help Israel financially, morally and bodily. I could not perceive why they did that. ”
Without that change, she wouldn’t have had the chance to attach with the Jewish diaspora. This has turn into one of the crucial significant elements of her IDF service. “Looking again,” says Volobyov. “I actually imagine all of it occurred for a purpose.”
When her companion accompanied one of many delegations to Orange County in Southern California, he was shocked by the extent of help he noticed for Israel throughout the Jewish neighborhood, urging Boroviov to go to the United States. When she was 21, shortly after finishing her IDF service, she traveled to San Diego and was equally impressed. “I wished to proceed exploring this example, however I did not understand how to try this.”
Back in Israel, Volobyov studied at Reichmann University, incomes a bachelor’s diploma in communications and political advertising. She continued her analysis there, incomes her grasp’s levels in authorities, diplomacy and technique. In 2019, she was appointed Israel Fellow of the Hillel Foundation in Orange County. There, she engaged college students in debate about Israel, fought anti-Semitism and supported pro-Israel teams on campus.
Vorobyov says that even earlier than October seventh, she skilled anti-Semitism in her personal place. “The final 4 years haven’t been straightforward, and there have been all the things that occurred on campus,” she says. “It’s as a result of a long time of confusion and hatred about Israel. It did not start after October seventh or after Operation Guardian of the Wall. [the IDF response to Hamas rockets in May 2021]. It was there for years. ”
Her first expertise with anti-Semitism got here when she was sitting in a espresso store on campus with a number of Jewish college students. A bunch of Palestinian Justice college students approached the Jewish group, started to say lets and commenced a brawl.
Recalling the assaults from Palestinian college students, she stated, “We weren’t speaking about Israel or Zionism. We went dwelling. I informed my companion, ‘I perceive now.’
During his tenure, Vorobyov created pro-Israel occasions on campus, strengthening student-Israel relations. “It was actually necessary to point out them what is going on on in Israel and present them that Israel provides excess of battle. It’s not simply the battle zone. It’s not simply black and white. There are actual individuals who dwell there. It meant rather a lot to me.”
Just a few days after the battle started, Volobyov started working for Tokisrael as Operations Director. She quickly realized that this was the second battlefield Israel was combating for – on-line. Talkisrael emphasizes the constructive and delightful points of Israel, masking the general ambiance of Israeli tradition, artwork, music and on a regular basis life.
“Talkisrael’s total mission is a technique to positively change on-line conversations about Israel in a non-political and really genuine private method, however in a constructive sense,” she explains. Vorobyov admits that it was tough to focus on these points as soon as the battle started.
“How can we discuss Israel, whether or not it is excessive tech or cherry tomato? It’s nearly unimaginable when persons are dying. It was a problem as a result of we needed to discover totally different methods and totally different concepts, however it made numerous sense.”
Since Vorobyov arrived at Talkisrael, the group has grown. Over the previous yr, she has traveled to many college campuses and led workshops on ways to submit pro-Israel content material. Talkisrael at present has employees in New York, Los Angeles and Israel. Vorobyov was not too long ago promoted to government director of the group and has partnered with different Jewish organizations to advertise Israel.
“I’m making an attempt to companion with nearly each type of organisation that desires to help Israel,” she says. We ought to battle collectively as a result of we battle. ”
Vorobyov explains that many individuals need to submit constructive messages about Israel, however aren’t positive about one of the simplest ways to try this. “Whenever you discuss your private experiences and private tales, and your private connection to the land,” she says.
“I train individuals how one can share experiences. I present particular instruments. I present storytelling, how one can communicate in entrance of the digicam, how one can edit, all of the instruments I should be a greater creator. The actual concept is to create a military of creators.”
Talkisrael additionally works with main media influencers reminiscent of Nas Daily, Montana Tucker, Zach Margs, Chef Bae and Zach Sage, however the group’s foremost exercise is to help new creators and supply the help and steerage they should enhance their work.
Vorobyov says Talkisrael has launched 5 applications over the previous yr. Creator Lab, an Israeli-based program, trains Israelis to submit in English and teaches them to share private tales. Talkisrael additionally companions with International Schools at Reichmann and Tel Aviv University to show Israel-based worldwide college students how one can create and submit content material.
Talkisrael’s flagship program, Creator Council trains creators from around the globe in filming movie movies, constructing a neighborhood of followers, and partnering with manufacturers. Vorobyov provides that Talkisrael additionally provides podcasts with influencers who share recommendations on creating content material and their Jewish identification.
Talkisrael has educated greater than 3,000 college students and younger professionals over the previous yr, says Vorobyov. Currently, over 250 creators submit content material that exams constructive for Israel each week. In 2024, the video, created by members of the Talkisrael group, obtained over 60 million views on my account and Talkisrael accounts.
Growing up in Ramur and Holon, Volobyov did not anticipate her to go to Orange County, however “I knew I wished to do one thing huge, I knew it could make sense. I wished to assist different individuals and the state of Israel.”
She added that her transfer to the US will permit her to realize a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jewish identities that she didn’t have in Israel. “I understood that you simply actually do not perceive [it] Until you reside outdoors of Israel for some time. Since transferring right here, I’ve realized the significance of being a part of the Jewish neighborhood and its custom. ”
Vorobyov works for Talkisrael, works in fundraising, technique and administration, and does all the things he can to help his mission. “Our mission is necessary,” she says. “And I’ve an awesome religion within the mission.”
This article was written in collaboration with Talkisrael.