Lindsay Pinchuk
Online Advocate
A) What qualities make the nominee deserving of the Z3 Bridge Builder Award?
When I spoke up on Instagram following October 7th, I did so so that the Jewish community wouldn't feel alone. I had no idea that my first video would garner 100K views before making it home from Whole Foods, where I posted it from. But the response was indicative of what was needed by the Jewish community following the attacks of October 7th.
From the minute I started talking, nearly a year ago, I haven't stopped. But my goal is simple: to bring the Jewish community together, to educate and to make sure that no one feels alone. I've showed up every day calling out acts of antisemitism and the ignorance that led to them; educating on the conflict; supporting other members of the Jewish community; and just sharing the way I feel---which seemingly is the way many others do as well.
I refuse to divide through political conversations or extreme opinions. We are better together and we must remain together during this time.
Since October 7th, I have lost 5,000+ followers on Instagram, but gained over 25,000. In addition to speaking out online I've been brought to many communities around the country to give a talk and speak about the notion of speaking up and the fact that it is never wrong to do what's right.
Earlier this summer I share about a company, Big Fat Cookie, who was targeted on a BDS list and lost thousands of dollars to their bottom line. When I shared this story on Instagram thousands within my community came to their rescue---following them and buying from them.
My eyes were opened and I thought: why aren't we doing this for all Jewish businesses?
And in a matter of weeks I launched my weekly newsletter, The Chai Tea: Spilling 18 Ways to Support Our Tribe this Week.
And now, I share Jewish-owned businesses, initiatives, events and organizations from within our community each and every week.
October 7th changed my life forever. And while I am still a marketing consultant, sharing my truth has opened my eyes and heart to our community, showing me that we must remain together in the fight for our lives and our future.
B) In what ways has the nominee demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to their work in bridging divides?
By remaining calm and even keeled, I always share the facts from reliable sources, in order to educate my growing community about what's going on in the Jewish world. By doing so and opening myself up, people have connected with me in the most incredible ways imaginable. One thing that is important is that I always insist we must LISTEN, to each other and to the world outside of us. If we don't listen, we can't make changes, we won't respect one another and we can't move forward in a productive way.
I insist on respect within my online community---both towards me and each other. And when anyone goes against that, I call them out, and if need be, I remove them. Having a respectful discussion is far different than badgering or bullying someone for their beliefs.
C) How has the nominee's work impacted the Jewish community and beyond?
I started talking after October 7th, a big reason I did is because we live in a very non-Jewish pocket of the North Shore of Chicago. My daughter was the only Jewish girl in her elementary school grade. I wanted others around me to understand what was going on, and to know that they could always come to me with questions. And they do.
I received hundreds of questions in my Instagram account every week from both Jews and non-Jews.
But other than that, the work I've done against antisemitism has resulted in the following:
In calling out the anti-Jewish and anti-Israel sentiments of a candidate for State Representative in MI, I helped to put Morgan Foreman on the ballot in November and knock her anti-Jewish opponent out of the race.
In sharing the stories of brands like Big Fat Cookies, I've helped drive thousands of dollars in revenue for Jewish-owned Businesses.
In sharing about JVP trying to screen "Israelism" in Northbrook, IL at the public library, we worked to eventually get this event canceled.
In sharing about the cancellation of a Holocaust Remembrance Day memorial at New Trier High School, 1MM+ viewers saw our story online, thus driving not only press coverage of the story but a parent committee to develop in order to combat antisemitism at the school.
In sharing an IL license plate that was spotted last week that said: OCT 7, government officials, the ADL and others got involved, thus getting this license plate removed from the roads.
These are just a few of the hundreds of initiatives I've shared and brought to the public that have been combated and canceled.