Feb. 27 – March 2, 2025 Los Angeles, CA
In the wake of the October 7, 2023 attacks and the subsequent surge in global antisemitism, the StandWithUs International “Israel In Focus” Conference welcomed a diverse coalition of advocates to confront misinformation and strengthen pro-Israel activism.
In recent years, Jewish communities worldwide have faced an alarming rise in hate crimes, campus hostility, and misinformation campaigns. The urgency of these threats was at the forefront of the conference’s mission. Over four days, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, and Druze leaders joined students, academics, and community organizers in a shared commitment to combating hate. With discussions spanning interfaith collaboration, and conflict resolution strategies, the event underscored that the fight for truth transcends political ideologies and religious backgrounds.
Thursday’s opening ceremony, led by StandWithUs CEO and co-founder Roz Rothstein, co-founder and COO Jerry Rothstein and co-founder and International President Esther Renzer, set the stage for a weekend of deep engagement. Roz Rothstein made it clear from the start that, regardless of political ideology, this conference was about standing against antisemitism and anti-Zionism
For the first time, the conference included a RabbisUnited track, led by executive director Rabbi Matthew Abelson. This initiative equips faith leaders with the necessary tools to educate about Israel and combat antisemitism in their communities. Later, Roz was in conversation with renowned academic and UCLA professor Judea Pearl, who contextualized Zionophobia, a term he coined in 2018.
Friday’s breakout sessions provided a unique opportunity for global and student leaders to exchange perspectives, moving beyond rhetoric to practical solutions. A key example was a session exploring the pros and cons of different resolution strategies for the Israel-Hamas war, including plans proposed by Israel, Egypt, and the United States. Rather than pushing a single viewpoint, the discussion forced attendees to critically engage with multiple perspectives, challenging them to think beyond their own assumptions.
As Shabbat approached, attendees gathered for candle lighting, communal prayers, and a shared kosher meal. Religious leaders emphasized that the battle for truth is not just political, but deeply moral.
Saturday’s event began with “Grill the Experts”, where attendees posed tough questions to leading scholars, activists and military analysts. The discussions didn’t shy away from complexity—topics included one-state vs. two-state solutions, the history of Zionism, and the role of international diplomacy. Muslim reformer Luai Ahmed shared his story, reinforcing his belief that the fight for Israel’s legitimacy extends far beyond any single demographic.
Lieutenant Colonel (Reserves) Eyal Dror, former commander of the IDF’s Operation Good Neighbor, delivered one of the most powerful sessions of the weekend, detailing Israel’s humanitarian efforts in Syria.
Shabbat concluded with a communal Havdalah ceremony and Gala featuring two major announcements from the StandWithUs board. The first is the impending release of a beta version of their AI-powered chatbot, “Swu Bot,” tailored to provide accessible information on Israel, antisemitism, and activism—live as of March 17th.
The second announcement was their slate for the World Zionist Congress. SWU is partnered with Kol Israel (Slate #4) “a Zionist Slate that is non-partisan and non-denominational – with over 130 committed Zionist delegates including Montana Tucker, Elon Gold, Dr. Sheila Nazarian, Tessa Veksler, Yuval David, Matthew Nouriel, Young Judea and more.”
Voting is open from March 10th through May 4th for any Jewish adult living in the United States. Voters will elect one of 21 listed candidates, or slates, each of which has an agenda for Israel, including discretion on how $5 billion will be spent in Israel.
In an exclusive interview with Ha’Am, Roz Rothstein reflected on StandWithUs’ journey from a grassroots movement responding to misinformation propagated after the Second Intifada to a global network: “Intuitively, we knew we had to do something, but we didn’t know exactly what it was going to be. So we just started.” What began with rallies has evolved into an international coalition, with programs including the Emerson Fellowship for college students and the Kenneth Leventhal High School Internship, designed to equip the next generation with the tools to defend Israel and combat antisemitism in academic, community and digital spaces. The Conference was an opportunity for the hundreds of student leaders selected for the programs from hundreds of schools throughout the US and the world to network, share best practices and hear from important speakers.
“Im ein kemach, ein Torah; Im ein Torah, ein kemach,” Rothstein shared. Translated: “Without flour (sustenance), there is no Torah; without Torah, there is no flour (sustenance).” The success of StandWithUs, like the survival of the Jewish people, depends on both material support and the enduring power of education.
