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Influential Origins | Ep. 715: Andrea Bolender, Speaking Up Against Hate, Part 3 | HMTC

A routine visit to a local Facebook group exposed posts blaming Jews for community problems and calling for violence. Andrea Bolender decided silence was not an option.

In Part 3 of Influential Origins, host Alan Mindel speaks with Andrea about discovering antisemitic content on a neighborhood page that promised “no politics” and “no hate speech.” When she privately asked the administrator to remove it, objections were deleted, Jewish users were blocked, and the original posts remained. Andrea shared screenshots with community leaders and HMTC, helping prompt a public response and news coverage.

Their conversation examines how online propaganda turns stereotypes into scapegoating, why historical education and media literacy matter, and how local hate can damage trust among neighbors. Andrea and Alan emphasize accountability without violence, critical thinking, pride in identity, and solidarity with targeted communities. Their message is simple: hate must never become normal. Everyone can document, question, educate, speak up, and protect human dignity in their own backyard.

Influential Origins on hmTv | Host: Alan Mindel | Guest: Andrea Bolender
A production of the Holocaust Memorial & Tolerance Center of Nassau County

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CHAPTERS

0:00 Introduction
0:58 Discovering Antisemitism in a Local Group
2:18 A Page Promising No Politics or Hate
4:08 Asking the Administrator to Act
6:18 Objections Deleted and Residents Blocked
7:48 The Responsibility to Speak Up
8:07 Antisemitism, History, and Education
12:06 HMTC Responds
13:53 Media Coverage and Accountability
17:26 Education and Critical Thinking
24:18 Why Andrea Refused to Stay Silent
26:41 Protecting a Close Community
27:20 What Do We Do Now?
31:42 Closing

HASHTAGS

#InfluentialOrigins #AndreaBolender #Antisemitism #MediaLiteracy #HMTC

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