Known as the tech guru and a top marketer in Israel, it’s not uncommon for Hillel Fuld to meet with a prime minister, an NBA player, a top actor, a leading rabbi, or a Google team and then have lunch with someone to help the person find a job.
But since the Oct. 7 attacks, the married father of five children has halted his regular work as an entrepreneur, startup advisor, and consultant to focus on media interviews and creating social media content to educate people about Israel.
Fuld told Unpacked he felt like he had no other choice. “You can’t build a building if you don’t have the foundation,” Fuld explained. “You can’t talk about Israeli technology if Israel doesn’t exist. This is an existential war.”
“Israel needs me right now. Everything I’ve done until now has brought me to this moment and this is what I’m here to do,” added the tech entrepreneur, whose content has garnered 600 million impressions since the war began.
Hillel Fuld: Israel’s tech guru
Raised in New York, Fuld moved to Israel when he was 15, so perhaps that’s part of how he knows to talk tough.
He started his career at Comverse Technology and, with a passion for writing, began blogging before it became mainstream. Entrepreneurs started reaching out to him, and through Twitter and his interpersonal skills, his marketing expertise and reputation quickly grew.
He advises job seekers not to send out cold resumes but to instead connect with someone at the company, and said he has helped over 500 people find jobs.
Fuld is a sought-after global speaker who lectures on tech, marketing and the Holy Land. He has advised major companies like Google, Microsoft, Oracle and Nike, and often works with startups seeking a marketing edge.
Fuld said he has always been passionate about technology and writing. While there is no clear explanation for how a small country like Israel became a tech powerhouse, he chalks it up to chutzpah, talent and necessity.
Fuld’s influence extends beyond the tech industry. As a sought-after speaker, he lectures to Jewish youth worldwide, encouraging them to take pride in their Jewish identity and helping them navigate the complexities of modern society.
Fuld’s advice for Jewish Gen Z
In the current climate on college campuses and social media, many Jewish Gen Z find themselves unsure of how to respond to fiercely anti-Israel claims. Fuld’s advice is to focus on education.
“My biggest piece of advice is to educate yourself because if you get caught in a lie or a bending of the truth, it ruins your entire side of legitimacy,” Fuld said.
“So, I would recommend that people actually learn the history of what happened in this region and what did not happen,” Fuld said, adding that many are not aware that Israel unilaterally withdrew from Gaza in 2005. “For Gen Z and people in general, you need to know the facts.”
“If it’s really important to you, spend the time and become an expert. It doesn’t require rocket science. It’s just a question of sitting down and knowing facts,” he added.
Navigating antisemitism: Choosing your battles
In today’s heated social media climate, the sad reality is that supportive posts about Israel often receive hateful comments. Fuld said he receives between 100 and 200 hate messages every day.
While some comments occasionally bother him, he mostly chooses to ignore them, recognizing that Israel’s enemies would want him to become upset. He said he has publicly shared some of the more egregious messages to expose the depravity of the individuals sending them.
But what should a Jewish high school or college student do if a teacher or professor slanders Israel, crossing the line into antisemitism in class?
“It depends on the situation,” Fuld said. “You have to read the room. If you can tell it doesn’t matter what you say, because they’d believe the sky is brown if you told them it was blue, what’s the point? You have to choose your battles.”
He also emphasized the importance of recognizing the agency we do have and focusing on being a source of light in the world: “We know there is antisemitism. It’s built into the fabric and DNA of humanity. It’s here. It’s not going anywhere…But the thing to be thankful for in this generation is we can fight back.”
Fuld’s message to those who oppose Jews
Amid the challenges of navigating antisemitism and choosing one’s battles, Fuld also has a direct message for those in influential positions, particularly in academic settings, regarding the treatment of Jewish students.
When asked what he would say to American college presidents considering their policies on the treatment of Jewish students, Fuld had a straightforward message.
“I would tell them, I don’t know if you have a degree in math or statistics, but statistically speaking, the proof is that whoever messes with the Jews disappears,” Fuld said.
“You may think you’re different but you’re not. Jew-haters have always existed…Open a history book and look at what happened to the Greeks, the Romans, the Nazis, and the Babylonians, the list goes on. Where are they? It’s a bad bet. You wouldn’t make this bet in a casino. Look at the data. It’s not a good idea to mess with the Jews,” he added.
A personal tragedy and its aftermath
On September 16, 2018, a devastating event struck the Fuld family when Hillel’s brother, Ari Fuld, a married father of four, was fatally stabbed from behind by a 17-year-old Palestinian terrorist.
Ari Fuld is remembered as a national hero for his brave actions. Despite being mortally wounded, he managed to jump over a small wall and shoot the terrorist, who was about to attack a woman who had served him falafel earlier.
Fuld said that the tragedy took a hard toll on the family. He reflected on one of his brother’s defining traits: his commitment to truth and refusal to accept lies or false narratives, whether it was about Israel or any topic.
Fuld said that, just as his brother was known for challenging falsehoods, he too actively calls out those who spread misinformation. He shared that he regularly hears from people who have been touched by his brother’s story and felt his impact, with some creating murals in his honor.
Hillel wrote in a social media post, “Ari created a tsunami in this world, the ripples of which I believe we’ll feel for decades.” Watch Hillel describe his brother’s bravery:
In the aftermath of this tragedy, Hillel received a message from an antisemite praising the attack on his brother. He admitted that some messages can be bothersome, but since he has accepted the role of being a chief defender of Israel online, he has conditioned himself not to take every message personally; otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to continue his work.
“That was not even the worst thing I’ve gotten,” Fuld said. “Some have sent me pictures of my brother. These people have no red lines. I can either take every single one of these to heart and then collapse, or I can put up a wall.”
Fuld also reminds himself that “a person who could write such a thing has a very sad existence, so I come at it with the perspective that it’s very sad.”
Recognizing the positive amid tragedy
While acknowledging the challenges, Fuld stressed the importance of recognizing the positive support both he and Israel receive.
He gets many supportive messages from a wide range of people, including famous personalities and strangers who have learned about Israel through his work.
Celebrities like comedians Jerry Seinfeld, Michael Rapaport, and actress Debra Messing have demonstrated their support for Israel by visiting the country. Rapaport, in particular, has been an outspoken advocate for Israel, even appearing on “Eretz Nehederet,” Israel’s comedy sketch show similar to “Saturday Night Live.”
Fuld emphasized the importance of such support, saying, “One of the overwhelming emotions within the Jewish people is loneliness. When people like Michael Rapaport and others go out of their way to visit and show solidarity, it helps us know we are not alone.”
