“I feel on this stage like a different person,” Sheryl Sandberg told a packed audience at the General Assembly (GA) of the Jewish Federations of North America.
“Jewish identity is now as important to me as anything else. I am a woman, I am a business leader, I am an American and I am Jewish, and I am here as a proud Zionist and a proud Jew, in a way that I would not have been. a year and a half ago.”
In a powerful and deeply personal speech on Monday, Sandberg recounted her transformation since October 7. The former COO of Meta and author of the bestselling book Lean In shared her renewed commitment to the Jewish community, emphasizing how her connection to Judaism and Zionism has become a central part of her identity.
Urging Jewish leaders to unite against the rising tide of anti-Semitism, he urged them to remain resilient and take action to combat misinformation and bias in educational institutions and society.
Sandberg began by describing how October 7 marked a profound turning point in her life. Sheryl Sandberg at the General Assembly of the Jewish Federations of North America (credit: JEWISH FEDERATIONS OF NORTH AMERICA)
A Turning Point: “I Woke Up to a New Reality”
“Growing up, I thought anti-Semitism was something that existed in the Soviet Union or in history.”
He recalled growing up in a Reform Jewish home, where his family followed the kosher diet and participated in the movement for Soviet Jewry. “I knew anti-Semitism existed because I participated in marches and did all kinds of things, but I thought it was far away.”
However, when a childhood friend woke her up on October 7 with the news that “Israel is at war,” her perspective changed.
“Since then, I’ve found myself saying, ‘I can’t believe this is happening,'” Sandberg said, highlighting the troubling resurgence of anti-Semitism that has emerged globally and in her personal life.
“I couldn’t believe it,” he said. Sandberg also recalled dropping her son off at college only to see a position identified as “Safety and Security for Jewish Students.”
“In 2024, I’m dropping my son off at college and they think they need a position to tell me my son will be safe, which means they’re not sure.”
Speaking Against Gender Violence
One of the most critical aspects of Sandberg’s recent advocacy has been speaking out against gender-based violence, which she said was horribly underreported following the October 7 attacks. In his new film, Screams Before Silence, he exposes the sexual violence inflicted on victims, a reality he feels has been largely ignored.
“The silence was deafening,” he said, noting the lack of coverage of these atrocities in the mainstream media.
“Rape is not resistance, ever, under any circumstances,” Sandberg stated emphatically.
Sandberg shared that her decision to step forward and produce the film was influenced by her frustration with the lack of public recognition.
“We have to remember that for centuries, women’s bodies were seen as part of the spoils of war,” she explained, but noted that 30 years ago, during the conflicts in Yugoslavia, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the world began to prosecute wartime sexual violence as a war crime.
“If, right now, our politics make us so blind that we are denying or silently confronting the clear violation of victim after victim, we lose too much,” he said.
The film, funded by philanthropists Carol and Joey Lowe, is available on YouTube for anyone who wants to witness the stories for themselves.
Sandberg expressed hope that the project will not only shed light on these stories, but also mobilize young Jewish leaders on campuses across the country.
“There’s something about young Jewish men on campus speaking out for Israel, speaking out against terror, speaking out about sexual violence. That gives me hope, and it should give us all hope.”
Combat Misinformation in Education
A large part of Sandberg’s speech focused on the importance of addressing anti-Semitism and anti-Zionist bias in education, a challenge that she said requires active engagement at all levels.
“This is going to be difficult,” he admitted. “We’re going to have to go state by state, county by county, school district by school district, and fix the K to 12 curriculum.”
He shared a troubling example from his children’s school, where students were shown a video from Turkish state media that presented a distorted view of Zionism and Jewish history. “It starts by saying that it is against the Jewish religion to have a state, as if the very existence of Israel is inherently wrong,” he said.
“This is happening in our children’s schools.”
Sandberg urged Jewish leaders to play an active role in curriculum reform, advocating for a factual representation of Jewish history and Zionism.
“We have to pay attention,” he stressed, noting that the Jewish community has historically funded university buildings and programs without fully considering the influence on curricula.
“Someone told me: ‘We were providing buildings, and they were providing chairs,'” he recalled, emphasizing the need to be vigilant about what is taught in educational institutions.
Bridging Political Divides and Fighting Antisemitism
Sandberg also addressed the complex issue of political support for Israel, especially in the United States, where she noted that bipartisan support for Israel is declining.
“There’s an old saying in US politics: No matter what else you do, you have to kiss babies and support Israel. That is no longer the case,” he warned, adding that the younger generations are especially affected by the change.
He stressed the importance of maintaining support across party lines, stressing that the fight against anti-Semitism must remain nonpartisan.
“We are Zionists, whether we are Republicans or Democrats,” he declared. “We oppose anti-Semitism, all forms of hate, no matter where we are politically.”
Sandberg stressed the need for open dialogue, even with those who may have different perspectives.
He shared an example of a recent webinar featuring Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on anti-Semitism, which was met with criticism but underscored the need to engage all voices in the conversation.
“We are not going to convince anyone if we do not talk to them,” he insisted.
Finding strength through vulnerability
In one of the most emotional moments of her speech, Sandberg shared a conversation with a friend in which she asked, “Will you hide me?”
Inspired by stories of righteous non-Jews who risked their lives to protect Jews during the Holocaust, Sandberg described the vulnerability she feels as a Jewish leader today. “We are not used to needing help, but we need it,” he acknowledged.
“As Van Jones said, we have to build the muscle of asking for help. We also have to build the muscle of protecting ourselves.”
Quoting activist Sheila Katz, Sandberg added: “We have built the muscle to stand in solidarity with others, but we don’t have the muscle to stand up for ourselves.” He reflected on his recent realization that anti-Semitism must be confronted not only as a potential warning to society, but as a fundamental evil in itself.
“We can’t just denounce anti-Semitism because it is a sign of other bad things. Anti-Semitism is bad in itself,” he said.
A call for Jewish unity and resistance
In closing, Sandberg left the audience with a call for resistance and action. “Raise your hand as high as you can, and now, one centimeter higher,” he said. “When we believe we have done all we can, we can and will do more.”
He emphasized that unity within the Jewish community, regardless of political beliefs, is critical to overcoming current challenges.
Quoting a friend from Israel, she said: “We are more broken than a people can be, and we are stronger than a people can be.” Sandberg’s final message underscored the importance of resistance and a shared commitment to Jewish identity.
“Our identity as Jews must be more rooted in Sinai than in Auschwitz,” he said, reinforcing the positive and enduring aspects of Jewish culture.
The GA concluded with a moving performance of Hatikvah, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of purpose to stay strong, united, and face the challenges facing the Jewish people today.
