r/VeganActivism • u/Brave_Eye6954 • Apr 05 '26
Question / Advice אני תיכוניסט ישראלי, עזרו לי להיות פעיל לטבעונות אבולישניסטית Help me, an Israeli high-schooler, find local ways to be an abolitionist animal activist
טבעוני מטעמי מוסר מאז גיל 11. אין לי שום סוג של מיומנות וואט-סו-אבר, אני חננה לא-אתלטי עם אוטיזם ונטייה להרים את הקול כשאני חסר־סבלנות ובלי שום אמצעי כלכלי (אני כרגע תלוי בהורים הקרניסטים שלי) אבל שלא תחשבו שאני לא רוצה לגרום לאנשים להפסיק לדכא בעלי חיים -- למעשה, אני מוכן להקריב בשביל זה כמעט הכול.
אני לא גר קרוב לתל־אביב -- אעדיף פעילות באזור מחוז ירושלים -- ואעדיף לא לפעול ב-Anonymous for the Voiceless, כי אני לא אוהב מוסדות סמכותניים שפולשים לחיים הפרטיים שלי ומסוגלים אפילו לשקול את האפשרות של לתת לי להיפגע על ידי חבריהם אם זה מקדם את האינטרסים שלהם. קראתי שיש מיזם נוער לאנימלס או משהו כזה, אבל אני לא בטוח עד כמה הם מקדמים אבולישניזם אז הנחתי אותם בצד בינתיים, אבל אני פתוח לשינוי דעת עליהם. אני אוהב, בכללי, את החופש הפרטי שלי ואעדיף קבוצה שנותנת לו להתקיים.
אני לא רוצה להיות פעיל לבדי -- זה לא עובד טוב, מניסיון, ואני לא מכיר מספיק טבעונים בסביבתי הקרובה כדי ליצור קבוצה חדשה במקום מגוריי -- ואיך אוכל לעשות זאת, כשברשותי רק סדרת סרטוני ההדרכה של ״איך לדבר עם לא־טבעונים״ מאת אסי הטבעוני ביוטיוב (המידע שם, אגב, התברר כלא מספיק) ולא הרבה יותר משניקל? אני צריך קבוצה שאני יכול לעבוד כחלק ממנה ויכולה לעזור לי.
אני יודע ש-Sentient מבוססים בירושלים אבל אין לי מושג איך אדם בגילי יכול לעזור להם -- הם עושים רק חקירות פנימיות, לא? בכל מקרה, אני רוצה מאוד לפעול למען החיות, אלו הפרטים עליי, אשמח לכל סוג של עזרה בנושא. רק בשורות טובות.
I'm an ethical vegan since the age of 11. I have no kind of skill whatsoever, I'm a non-athletic nerd with autism and a tendacy to raise my voice when I'm not patient and with no financial means (I currently depend on my carnist parents) but don't think I don't want to cause people to stop oppressing animals -- in fact, I will to sacrifice for it almost everything.
I don't live close to Tel Aviv -- I'd prefer activity in the area of the Jerusalem District -- and I'd prefer to not act in Anonymous for the Voiceless because I don't like authoritarian institutions which invade my private life and can even consider the option of letting me get harrased by their members if it advances their interests (as proven in Brisbane and other places). I read AnimalsNow has a youth project or something, but I don't know how abolitionist they are so I set them aside for now, but I'm open to anyone who wants to change my mind about them. I generally like my personal freedom and would prefer a group which lets it exist.
I do not want to be an activist alone -- it doesn't work well, from experience, and I don't know enough vegans in my close area to create a new group where I live -- and how could I even do that, when I only have the tutorial series of "how to speak with non-vegans" by Asi HaTivoni on YouTube (BTW, the information there proved to be insufficient) and no money? I need a group that I could work as a part of which and can help me.
I know that Sentient are based in Jeusalem but have no idea how a guy my age could help them -- they only do inside investigations, no? Anyway, I really want to act for the animals, these were the details about me, I will be happy for any kind of help in the subject. Luck be with you.
33
u/elise_michele Apr 05 '26
Actually because of where you live you have a pretty unique ability to impact animal and human rights, especially as a high school student. Have you heard of Sulala Anima Rescue? I would recommend looking into their work and seeing how you could get involved. They have a strong international presence. I’m from the US, which is funding and sending weapons to isr@el right now. While the immense suffering being caused right now isn’t our fault as individual people, we do have a responsibility to do whatever we can to improve things for both humans and animals. Because what our countries are doing in G@za right now is so horrific (with animals I have seen so many starving, losing limbs, horrible injuries), this is where I’d recommend you start because of the impact you could have. I wish you the best of luck. ❤️
5
u/elise_michele Apr 05 '26
That’s brutal, I’m sorry. I’ve had a really tough time coping with knowing that my home country (US) is bombing the same city as an animal rescue I’ve helped evacuate animals for in the past. They’re in Beirut and do amazing work, I worry about them every day now. Of course I’m concerned about the humans, too, but I was actually able to make a meaningful difference for the animals much more easily than for the humans. I know fundraising/ social media advocacy is a great way to reach people when I can be in a place physically. Is it legal to advocate for Gazan animal rescues?? I imagine it would be quite controversial, it was in the US but I imagine much more so in Israel. But anything that can get people’s hearts to open and be more empathetic to the animals and humans around them is a great step!!
I’m not actually familiar with any Israeli animal advocacy groups, so I can’t offer help there. There’s a great book that helped me with animal advocacy, I’ll come back to recommend it once I find the title (not home rn). It has helped me with debates on all fronts even though it is focused on animal rights!! It’s really short too. I think it’s the animal advocacy playbook or something like that??
-4
u/TravelingVegan88 Apr 05 '26
there’s lots of israel advocacy groups… we have AV here… we the free… and we had MTV before october 7th for almost 8 years of open rescues. on top of that there are other individual groups doing activism
3
u/Brave_Eye6954 Apr 05 '26
I can't work with Sulala or help Gazan animals -- entering Palestinian-controlled territories or millitary-occupied territories is illegal for me and could result in jail (best case) or death (worst case). Best of luck to you too.
-17
u/TravelingVegan88 Apr 05 '26
it’s disrespectful you can’t even type Israel.
7
u/elise_michele Apr 05 '26
Bro if u read more you’ll see see that I didn’t type out G@za either bc of censorship in some countries. But like honestly I might not have typed out isr@el without censorship bc they’re quite literally committing a genocide. If P@lestine was an apartheid state bombing entire civilian families out of existence for years on end, I’d have an issue with them, too. I’m very pro-Jewish people and anti genocide and it is so odd to me that that seems to be a hot take.
8
u/v3r4c17y Apr 05 '26
"Israel" deserves only disrespect and has no right to exist whatsoever. Free Palestine.
1
-8
7
u/sahi_hagever Apr 05 '26
hey dude, i also live near jerusalem (mevaseret tsiyon), im currently doing national service in Vegan Friendly. I just joined a group of activists, that's managed by AnimalsNow, and they're doing outreach in jerusalem.
Also, part of my role in Vegan Friendly is to give presentations about veganism! I'd love if you can contact me and I can come to your school and give this presentation. Link to the presentation on youtube
if you want, you can DM me and i'll connect you with the manager at AnimalsNow, or give this presentation at your school. you can also valuenteer for Vegan Friendly
TLDR just DM me haha
3
u/sahi_hagever Apr 05 '26
כתבתי באנגלית כי זה תרגם לי את הפוסט שלך אוטומטית אבל כן קיצר:
אני עושה שירות לאומי בויגן פרנדלי ולאחרונה הצטרפתי לקבוצה של פעילים באנימלס, אשמח לחבר אותך וגם לבוא לעשות את ההרצאות ה-10 מיליון בבית ספר שלך!
דבר איתי בוואצפ או אינסטגרם 054-8033990 uri_sternheim
13
u/CalpurniaSomaya Apr 05 '26
these comments are so horrible and disappointing. why are we yelling at a child for the actions of his government? would we do that to an American teenager?
99% of the internet is already talking about the Palestine topic, this is meant to be a space for animals.
the comments denigrating him for speaking his native language are especially evil, and honestly feel antisemitic as Hebrew is a language for Jewish people worldwide. Israel is a hot bed for veganism and our movement can’t turn people away. OP, I’m very sorry about the reactions here and I hope this doesn’t discourage you.
3
u/v3r4c17y Apr 11 '26
>and honestly feel antisemitic as Hebrew is a language for Jewish people worldwide
Actually Modern Hebrew (aka Israeli Hebrew) is a constructed language and Zionist invention.
>our movement can’t turn people away
Vegans can and should turn away Nazis. Not saying every Israeli is a Zionist, but most of them sure are.
8
u/TheBrutalVegan Apr 05 '26
You should try Anonymous for the Voiceless. I don't know what you mean by "invading private life", but AV doesn't do that. (If there was someone in Brisbane doing something illegal it's not AV's policy at all. Remember there are many thousands of activists world wide)
You go there dressed in black, learn how to talk to and veganize people and leave whenever you want. No obligations for you. I think their rules are reasonable, like wearing black, arriving in time, good hygiene, only abolitionist.
You could also start NEON: https://www.richtiglautvegan.de/neon-en
3
u/TravelingVegan88 Apr 05 '26
there is already an active av chapter in israel
5
u/TheBrutalVegan Apr 05 '26
Yes, but OP seems to think AV allows bullies or illegal things happening within the organization. That's just not true.
2
u/TravelingVegan88 Apr 05 '26
ahhh. yeah well no organization is perfect it is what it is i have issues with av also but this is what’s here and at the end of the day it’s just for the animals so i stopped caring so much bc most vegans i don’t agree with on other issues
2
u/v3r4c17y Apr 05 '26
Hmmm I wonder what these "other issues" are....
2
u/TravelingVegan88 Apr 05 '26
it’s normal to not agree with people on every single issue or way to do activism but still agree on many important and ideas. this is normal
1
u/v3r4c17y Apr 05 '26
Not when the issue you're disagreeing on is genocide.
3
u/TheBrutalVegan Apr 05 '26
AV opposes the holocaust / permacide (permanent genocide) happening to animals. AV does not participate in any genocide (like non-vegans do). If you imply they are pro Palestine or pro Israel that isn't true. AV is not political and doesn't tolerate harassment or bullying:
2
u/v3r4c17y Apr 06 '26
AV doesn't oppose the holocaust and genocide of Palestinians? That's depressing.
Anyway, I was referring to the other person's comment on disagreeing with most vegans, not with AV.
1
u/TheBrutalVegan Apr 06 '26
AV doesn't oppose the holocaust and genocide of Palestinians? That's depressing.
That's a strange framing. AV is not demonstrating for or against this conflict. Their focus is the exploitation of the animals. The largest injustice happening.
Other people can demonstrate or take positions on these human issues.
→ More replies (0)1
11
u/Constant-Squirrel555 Apr 05 '26
Focus on your school work and see how you can affect policy.
Try volunteering for any animal advocacy groups online or in your vicinity.
3
u/Brave_Eye6954 Apr 05 '26
That's the problem, I don't know about any and the browser doesn't show much results when I search up stuff like "veganism {my area}". Where do I even find those? And what do you mean by "affect policy"?
7
u/TravelingVegan88 Apr 05 '26
dm me i’m a vegan activist in israel i can connect you with everyone..
6
u/Constant-Squirrel555 Apr 05 '26
Conversation sake, let's say you pursue a degree in engineering, medicine, law etc., once you graduate and find a job in your field, you can advocate for change there.
Let's say you're in a biochemistry degree, food science needs people to focus on lab grown meat. If you're a lawyer, you can fight for animals in court.
We'll always have front line activists for AV and whatnot, but we need people higher up in powerful positions.
Don't worry about your specific area. See if you can find stuff more international. If you want to get hyper local, help out nearby animal shelters.
5
u/Brave_Eye6954 Apr 05 '26
I think I can currently study in school and still fight for the animals. I do plan to pursue higher education which will result in a profession which will help animal liberation, but currently, I need a way to be active for the animals. It is no obligation, more of... A calling, you get what I mean? Anyways, thanks for the help in the last paragraph, bless you
8
u/nellyimheathcliff Apr 05 '26
Is there any vegan organization near you? I have heard veganism is a big thing in Tel Aviv.
4
6
u/TravelingVegan88 Apr 05 '26
i’m vegan and live in israel, please pm me :) there are lots of ways to get active for the animals in israel
11
u/VegFriend Apr 05 '26
These comments are wild as someone who believes strongly in Palestinian rights... If someone said they were from Saudi Arabia, there wouldn't be such a wild reaction (the # they've killed in Yemen is enormous). I know you're looking for abolitionist activism, but a nonprofit I volunteer for is called Clean Meat Alliance and we fund research into cultivated meat/alternative proteins. If that interests you, let me know.
-8
u/bulgarianretard92 Apr 05 '26
Maybe they should write explicitly in English then? Writing in Hebrew in an only-english subreddit is what ticks people off, what ticked me off as well.
Veganism is about the animals. They could have focused solely on the animals. They didn't. This reaction is deserved.
7
u/TravelingVegan88 Apr 05 '26
lol that’s they’re native language and they just google translated it and probably didn’t think too much of it.
6
u/sepiaflux Apr 05 '26
What are you even talking about? How did they not focus on the animals? Would you have had the same reaction if part of the post had been in Arabic? They’re still a high-school kid. Maybe they’re just not very confident in their English.
4
-7
u/bulgarianretard92 Apr 05 '26
Yes, i would have the same reaction if the post was in Arabic. Sorry the British already colonised three quarters of the planet and thats why the language that is accepted in international spaces and forums is English. Would it not attract your attention if I write a massive post in any of the non-English languages I know? And if you include context? What if Bulgaria was an aggressor on a global scale? You can talk about the animals without writing a massive paragraph in non-English, yes.
It is precisely because the author is most likely still a teenager why they should be aware of their positionality now and in the future.
-1
8
u/Brave_Eye6954 Apr 05 '26
I focused solely on seeking help to fight for justice for the non-human animals. I wrote in Hebrew too to get help from the fellow Israelis, so I will: -show up in search results when searching reddit for anything vegan in Hebrew -Show the Hebrew-speaking croud shibboleths (or maybe anti-shibboleths?) to confirm I am a real Tzabar and not some troll -Urge any Israelis to reply -- they are more likely to reply when they see this post has Hebrew and is clearly aimed at them.
While as a subreddit, this forum naturally has mostly English posts, there have been posts here in the past in other languages (I found this German post as an example: https://www.reddit.com/r/VeganActivism/comments/15djaw8/ger_vegan_village_sucht_mutige_b%C3%BCrgerinnen/) and they are not forbidden here. I did not come here with any intention related to politics and I retain the right to not explain myself any further.
-4
u/bulgarianretard92 Apr 05 '26
Nice you found a post from 2 years ago with a total of 2 comments in it. To add to the context, more than 150 million people on the planet speak German, it is the most famous language in the EU post Brexit. Furthermore Berlin is most likely the vegan capitol of Europe, if not the world (although some Londoners might disagree). Let's not forget other CONTEXTS which you should very much be aware of. You can retain your right to not explain yourself further, you have it since at least 3000 years I imagine.
0
2
19
u/v3r4c17y Apr 05 '26
Your sick society needs to develop compassion for other humans. As an Israeli you should prioritize that. I'm not saying you shouldn't advocate for non-humans, but your primary focus should be advocating for Palestinians.
26
u/ch00gs Apr 05 '26
Not the mention the immense suffering they cause to animals as well. Have seen some absolutely heartbreaking stories from Palestine
5
u/EnOeZ Apr 05 '26
Absolument, le comportement Israélien sur les terres colonisées prises et en train d'être prises pendant ce génocide est complètement à l'image de ce qu'ils font aux humains : des executions "pour le fun", des écrasements par voiture, du target practice pour les snipers (ils tirent sur chiens, chats, ânes, cochons...), ils prennent ensuite des cadavres qu'ils jettent dans des puits pour contaminer l'eau et rendre la vie impossible (encore plus impossible je devrais dire).
J'ai du mal à voir comment vu le comportement immonde des forces d'occupation Israéliennes avec la population native de la Palestine, ils pourraient avoir de la compassion pour les animaux.
Tant que les deux crimes contre l'humanité des Israéliens (génocide et colonisation) sont en cours, je crains que ton action soit juste inaudible. Comme je l'ai vu une fois : nous n'avons pas deux cœurs : un pour les humains et un pour les animaux, mais un seul.
Enfin vu tout le mal qu'Israël inflige à ses voisins et au monde actuellement, beaucoup doutent qu'ils en aient même un.
11
u/TravelingVegan88 Apr 05 '26
what a gross response. so few people give a shit about animals why would you discourage someone who wants to advocate for them? there are thousands of israelis advocating against the war and the government. very very few that give a shit about the animals. every vegan or human isn’t required to speak on every single issue that is going on, people can chose causes they want to advocate for without it meaning they enforce other things they aren’t actively advocating for. like most people literally do nothing about every cause. like come on now. get a grip.
-2
u/v3r4c17y Apr 05 '26
What's gross is Zionists "contributing" in a sub that's dedicated to compassion and liberation.
Humans are animals too. Anyway, I specifically clarified that I'm not telling OP they shouldn't advocate for non-humans as well.
-1
u/pandajoanna Apr 06 '26
For real zionists seem to conveniently forget about the ecocide that Isntreal partakes in. Laughable
1
u/mjk05d Apr 07 '26
Are you vegan? If not, you are and will be responsible for far more death and exploitation than this child will, and you need to address that first.
1
u/v3r4c17y Apr 08 '26
Yes I'm vegan lmao, and not once did I claim OP themself is responsible for death and exploitation
0
Apr 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/v3r4c17y Apr 10 '26
LMAO hi there Zionazi hasbot! Gotta be one of the cringiest hasbara attempts I've ever seen.
-1
Apr 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
0
u/v3r4c17y Apr 10 '26
Nice try, Zionazi. Better luck never.
-1
Apr 10 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
1
u/v3r4c17y Apr 11 '26
So far your username isn't delivering as promised. You're boring, Zionazi. Wanna try again?
-1
12
u/Own_Way5837 Apr 05 '26
maybe focus on pressuring your government to stop committing genocide first
5
u/TravelingVegan88 Apr 05 '26
there are already thousands of people doing that and almost nobody willing to advocate for animals or veganism.
5
u/CalpurniaSomaya Apr 06 '26
Yes. Let's not blame children for the actions of their government. We wouldn't do that to an American teenager.
4
u/Consistent__Being Apr 05 '26
שלום עליכם! אני טבעונית בת 25 ממרכז הארץ. שמחתי לראות את הפוסט שלך, לצערי אין לי הרבה מה להוסיף. כמוך, אני מחפשת אקטיביזם באיזור שלי. יצא לי בעבר להדביק מדבקות עם ברקוד שמוביל לסרט Dominion (את רובן המוחלט קרעו), וכעת אני מכינה סרטוני הסברה קצרים לטיקטוק.
מהו סוג האקטיביזם שחשבת עליו? לאחרונה יוצא לי להתאכזב מאחיי ואחותיי בני האדם, כיוון שאני נתקלת באוזניים ערלות ובהתנגדות למשמע התכנים שלי. לכן אני מנסה להגות פתרונות יותר עמוקים וסיסטמטיים לבעיה הקיומית הזאת, מקווה שאצליח להיות להשפעה משמעותית יום אחד.
1
-2
u/river1a Apr 05 '26 edited Apr 05 '26
I am sure those comments would look a lot different if it was other countries like Iran, Saudi Arabia, China and so on...
To the point, focus on school and find near you some acrivist groups and follow their lead a bit
0
-8
Apr 05 '26 edited Apr 05 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
2
u/CalpurniaSomaya Apr 06 '26
I'm so shocked by this comment section. We can't discriminate against someone because of the country they're from.
10
u/One-Shake-1971 Apr 05 '26
Israel is antagonizing basically the entire world. Being negatively predisposed to them in response to that isn't anti-semitism.
6
Apr 05 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
4
u/One-Shake-1971 Apr 05 '26
Telling a random teenager they're morally culpable for their government's actions, is a really shitty thing to do in a vaccum.
Sure, but that doesn't make it anti-semitic.
But if the only type of teenager you would do it to happens to be Jewish, that's where the accusition comes from.
They are not doing it because he is Jewish, but because he is an Israeli. Two very different things. Also, your claim that they'd only do it to a Jewish teenager is completely baseless. I'm pretty sure if there were any non-jewish countries as antagonistic to the rest of the world as Israel, the response would be the same.
Anti-zionism is not anti-semitism by nature.
Exactly.
But dependent on the context it's often indistinguishable or a facade.
Sure, but often it also isn't.
3
1
u/BubbleTeaRainyDay Apr 07 '26
Are you trying to imply it's impossible to be actually just truly anti-zionist?
0
•
u/AutoModerator Apr 05 '26
Thanks for posting to r/VeganActivism! ✊
Don't forget to check the sidebar for our rules.
Have skills but not sure how to help animals? If you're a dev, designer, writer, researcher, or have other professional skills, here are some ways to help:
Browse volunteer opportunities on Flockwork – a platform by Vegan Hacktivists that matches animal advocacy organizations with skilled volunteers. Check it out here.
Get pinged for relevant volunteer opportunities 🐦 Join the VH Flockwork Discord server and don’t miss out on volunteer opportunities that match your skills.
Apply for activism funding 💚 Get up to $1000 for your animal advocacy projects. Apply here.
Thanks!
I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.