Hailey Ronen (Courtesy of Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media)

It can be a scary time to show up as Jewish on the internet. An American Jewish Committee survey released earlier this year found that most Jews had experienced antisemitism online.

In response to this post-Oct. 7 climate, Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media’s “Unapologetically Jewish” social media competition celebrates those who have the courage to show up proudly as Jews on social media. Now in its third year, the contest will culminate with the “Mazel Tov Moment” at the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History on Sept. 24 at 6 p.m., at which time the winner of the online audience vote will be crowned.

Regardless of who wins, all of the Jewish influencer finalists will be celebrated.

“A lot of people think of Jews as one thing. But we’re actually a really diverse community, not only in terms of background but in perspective,” said Beth Becker, program manager for Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media.

PJFM, which became part of the Weitzman in March, put out a call for applications in Facebook groups and other online spaces in January. It also reached out directly to some well-known social media personalities. The organization received 30 applications, and a steering committee of former finalists, journalists and Jewish professionals narrowed the field down to eight finalists.

The finalists posted throughout the summer about the competition using the same hashtag. They had to make a minimum of 14 posts but could only make a maximum of 20. The influencer with the highest engagement rate will win first place at the “Mazel Tov Moment.”

A vote will also begin in early September for the Audience Favorite Award, the winner of which will also be crowned on Sept. 24 at the Weitzman.

“Each year, because word is out, more people apply,” said Becker.

Let’s meet the finalists.

Hailey Ronen

Ronen is a Jew who lives in Nebraska.

“She takes her audience along on local adventures and inside her small Jewish community in Omaha. There may be more cows than people in Nebraska, but Hailey still managed to meet her Israeli husband at a Shabbat dinner there,” read a news release from PJFM.

Ronen has a little over 20,000 followers across Instagram and TikTok. When she’s not posting, she does weekly Torah learning with her husband, keeps Shabbat and goes to shul almost every week.

“I share the ways Judaism makes me happy,” Ronen said. “I do not waste time defending my family’s right to exist.”

Goldi Fox (Courtesy of Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media)

Goldi Fox

Fox is a Jewish burlesque dancer who moved to Philadelphia to attend the University of the Arts, later completing a postgraduate theater program through Bryn Mawr College.

“With a BFA from UArts, Bryn Mawr polish, and a Parisian cabaret awakening, she’s equal parts brains and bombshell,” wrote PJFM in its news release.

Fox has around 7,000 followers across Instagram and Facebook.

“I’ve learned that sometimes the most unapologetically Jewish thing I can do is simply exist visibly and joyfully without turning my identity into a debate,” the dancer told Philadelphia Jewish Exponent. “Jewish representation doesn’t always have to begin with trauma or antisemitism — I want to show Jewishness as vibrant, funny, creative, sexy, spiritual and alive.”

Larry Kreger (Courtesy of Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media)

Larry Kreger

Larry Kreger’s social persona is called “Jew It Yourself,” and in his posts, he shows how to “Jew it yourself.”

“From explaining the difference between a nut and a bolt to unclogging a drain, our audience can expect practical, educational advice delivered with a touch of humor,” said the news release from PJFM. “By integrating the spirit of tikkun olam, Jew It Yourself empowers the community to maintain their homes with confidence, celebrating our heritage one project at a time.”

On Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, this engineer from Boca Raton, Florida, has over 85,000 followers and subscribers.

“The response has been overwhelmingly positive, especially from people who appreciate seeing Jewish identity presented in an approachable and unexpected way,” Kreger told Philadelphia Jewish Exponent. “I also hear from non-Jewish followers who enjoy learning about Jewish traditions while coming for the DIY content.”

Hadas Kuznits (Courtesy of Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media)

Hadas Kuznits

You may remember Kuznits from her time as a reporter for KYW Newsradio. She also did an interview with Philadelphia Jewish Exponent before her 2024 move to Israel.

In Israel, she lived on a kibbutz for two years, but now she’s splitting her time between the Jewish state and the Philadelphia suburbs. Today, Kuznits serves as director of communications for CyberWell, an online database of antisemitism.

She also posts about her family’s life as Americans navigating the “ups and downs of Israeli life,” per the release. Her online presence has a little over 5,500 followers.

“Often, I just show my life, which has included running to bomb shelters, celebrating Jewish holidays in Israel, working in Tel Aviv and celebrating my son’s bar mitzvah in Israel,” Kuznits told Philadelphia Jewish Exponent in an email.

Kosha Dillz (Courtesy of Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media)

Kosha Dillz

Dillz, a Jewish rapper who lives in New York City, headlined Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media’s New Media Festival in 2023. He’s known for his often-viral street raps and appearances.

“He has been on the scene for 20 years as one of the premier Jewish rappers who has embraced the fight against antisemitism,” said the release.

Across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube and Spotify, Dillz has over 340,000 followers and subscribers.

“I try to give people a good entryway into Jewish life with more lighthearted things like Hanukkah content,” Dillz wrote in an email.

Hughie and Avery Stone Fish (Courtesy of Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media)

Hughie and Avery Stone Fish

These Jewish brothers and comedians from Syracuse try to accomplish the goal of every Jewish organization these days: engaging young Jews. Their content encourages “young Jews to maintain their connection to Judaism,” said the release.

The brothers have around 55,000 followers on Instagram.

“Our focus is celebrating Jewish pride through comedy and music. For us, comedy has been a core part of our Jewish identities, and we love celebrating that,” they said.

Sam Slate, AKA Diva Nigun (Courtesy of Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media)

Sam Slate, aka Diva Nigun

Slate “is a Jewish music producer and performer, specializing in electronic Jewish dance music, remixes, lo-fi, meditation, and everything in between,” said the release.

On Instagram and TikTok, he has around 2,100 followers; he plays music, shares tutorials and even makes comedic videos.

One tutorial series focused on playing klezmer guitar.

“I can’t help but be absolutely in love with Jewish music and what contemporary Jewish musicians are making right now. My ultimate goal is to have this love shine through in what I make and what I share,” Slate said.

Raye Schiller (Courtesy of Philadelphia Jewish Film + Media)

Raye Schiller

Schiller is a Los Angeles-based comedian who grew up Orthodox. The comedian used to think that being queer or being Jewish was a choice, according to the news release.

Today, both are part of Schiller’s social media identity, which has more than 92,000 followers and subscribers across Instagram, TikTok, Threads and YouTube.

jsaffren@midatlanticmedia.com