By Carl Zebrowski
Editor

Shai Albrecht has dedicated herself to combatting antisemitism and debunking lies about the Jewish people and Israel online since October 7, 2023. She has 400,000 social media followers to testify to her effort.

On January 27, she’ll bring the knack for storytelling, clear explanations, and energetic discourse that helped her earn that following to the Jewish Federation Women’s Philanthropy. She’ll talk at Temple Beth El at 6:30 that evening about her personal experiences as a Jew living in the United States with immediate family in Israel and provide guidance to the women for finding their personal voice to advocate for Israel and the Jewish community here and elsewhere. 

Albrecht will delve into how the October 7 Hamas attacks, the hostages and their long captivity, and the Gaza war has impacted her and her family. She’ll also share her passion for Israel and how it has shaped who she is.

“I’ll reveal why my voice fights for Israel’s pride and our unbreakable future, sparking that same fire in everyone in the audience,” says the advocate the Zionist organization Hadassah has named among its 18 American Zionist Women You Should Know. “You’ll walk away knowing you hold the power to understand the situation and act.”

Through all the challenges of the past couple of years, including being the target of public hatred and death threats, Albrecht has remained vocal as her social media following has grown. She’ll offer tips to the Women’s Philanthropy audience for how they can hone their own voices as advocates, especially coming together in strength as part of the Jewish Federation. 

Tama Tamarkin, co-chair of the event along with Naomi Schachter, is excited about the choice of Albrecht for this meaningful gathering at a critical time, with the end of the war seemingly in sight. “Since October 7, 2023, Shai has rapidly grown her social media platform, fearlessly tackling misinformation and rising antisemitism,” she says. “Like me, Shai is a proud grandchild of Holocaust survivors who has inherited a fierce refusal to stay silent. We are eager for the Lehigh Valley women to hear her journey toward advocacy and be inspired to find and use their voices for good.”

Schachter says she’s eager to be part of “the inspiring conversation about the power of using our voices. At a time when standing up against hate matters more than ever, Shai has used her platform to speak out for the Jewish community. This event is a meaningful opportunity to come together, learn, and strengthen our collective voice.”

Albrecht’s own Jewish voice has been long evolving, going back to childhood. She grew up in an Orthodox family, the daughter of Israeli parents, and she says she learned to speak out from an early age. Besides online, these days, she has continued to make her voice heard as a keynote event speaker and in print for numerous publications.

Her presentation to the Women’s Philanthropy on January 27 will be her first time in Lehigh Valley, raising her voice, increasing visibility, and spreading a dedication to uplifting others that has resonated across many communities. Her talk will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The cost to attend the event is $36. Registration is required at jewishlehighvalley.regfox.com/womens-empowerment-event. Arrive early and bring ID for security.

To talk about participating meaningfully and purposefully in the Jewish community through Women’s Philanthropy, advocating for the Jewish people and raising funds to fill Jewish needs here, in Israel, and elsewhere, contact Lee Kestecher Solomon, Jewish Federation director of community engagement, at [email protected] or 610-821-5500.