Supporters of Israel gather in solidarity with Israel and protest against antisemitism, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian terror group Hamas, during a rally on the National Mall in Washington, DC, Nov. 14, 2023. Photo: REUTERS/Leah Millis

The most important task facing the Jewish community today is not simply responding to the crisis of the moment. It is building the generation that will be prepared to confront the crises of the future through our educational system.

Our mission is to cultivate a generation of fearless activists. An effective curriculum must treat civic involvement, grassroots advocacy, and direct action as a core component of learning.

Every year, the Jewish community must graduate thousands of young people who are prepared to lead, organize their communities, tell their stories, engage in political campaigns, and stand up against Jew hatred wherever they encounter it.

In this context, students must understand not only the history of the Jewish people, but also the factual record, civic tools, and moral clarity necessary to defend Israel and the US=Israel alliance in an increasingly hostile environment. The message to the young people ought to be: “Learn, lead, do. It’s up to you”

If the community remains committed to this effort, within five years they can have tens of thousands of trained young leaders serving as advocates across campuses, workplaces, synagogues, community organizations, and public life. By the time they reach their 20s and 30s, they will be shaping public opinion and influencing public policy. They will play an important role in helping secure a vibrant future for both the Jewish people and American democracy.Why is this so urgent?

A recent CNN discussion provided a revealing glimpse into the challenge before us. During a panel discussing the political rise of Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Democratic strategist and school shooting survivor David Hogg argued that many young voters are alienated from the Democratic establishment and referenced alleged Israeli atrocities in Gaza three times in the span of two minutes. While these claims remain fiercely contested, the most telling aspect of the exchange was not the assertions themselves, but the complete lack of real-time pushback or fact-checking from the rest of the panel.

Immediately afterward, filmmaker Michael Moore repeated accusations of genocide and the killing of civilians, including children. Again, these claims were aired without challenge or contextual correction.

Over the past decade, public opinion research has shown a significant generational gap in attitudes toward Israel. Pew Research Center surveys, for example, have consistently found that younger Americans — particularly those under 30 — are substantially more critical of Israel than older cohorts, with sympathy for Palestinians often exceeding sympathy for Israelis in this age group. They view Israel exclusively through the lens of the oppressed and the oppressor paradigm.  For many young people, this is no longer simply a political opinion; it has become a deeply held moral conviction.

Within the pro-Israel community, this reality is difficult to accept. Yet dismissing it as a passing trend would be a mistake. Beliefs formed in high schools, universities, social media, and popular culture are shaping the next generation of voters, journalists, educators, activists, and elected officials.

The political trajectories of figures such as Abdul El-Sayed, Zohran Mamdani, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and so many others illustrate a broader generational shift that is likely to influence American politics for years to come. Regardless of individual election outcomes, the underlying ideological movement is not disappearing. Even if its momentum fluctuates, the data on youth attitudes suggests it will continue to shape public discourse over the next two or three decades.

In the face of these challenges, we face a fork in the road which offers three paths forward. We can do nothing, we can remain trapped in a perpetual state of damage control, chasing every new controversy as it arises — or we can build the strategic capability to lead those conversations ourselves.

That is encouraging news.

While every generation eventually passes, there is always another generation coming behind it. People’s minds are not fixed forever. To build this movement, we must activate the strong institutions already woven into the fabric of Jewish life. Jewish day schools, Jewish camps, teen organizations — including BBYO, Young Judaea, and USY — and programs like Birthright Israel provide the direct pipeline from which we can systematically raise up confident, skilled advocates.

The path forward involves creating a permanent pipeline dedicated to educating and empowering thousands of rising Jewish leaders every single year.

Daniel M. Rosen is the President and Co-founder of IMPACT, a 501c3 dedicated to organizing, empowering, and mobilizing individuals to combat Jew hatred on social media and beyond. Follow us at @joinimpactnow