These two brothers are standing together against antisemitism

As communities come together to mourn for the lives lost and hostages taken on Oct. 7, some individuals are taking it upon themselves to do even more. Cooper and Liam Schorr, from Lynbrook, were inspired to take action to combat antisemitism a mere few days after the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks.

“We couldn't just sit there and do nothing,” Liam, 18, said. “I felt like we needed to do more.”

Liam and Cooper have raised nearly $3,000 on GoFundMe to be sent to the Anti Defamation League. They considered sending the proceeds to the Israeli Defense Forces, Liam said. But the IDF is receiving aid from governments around the world, while the effects of the wave of antisemitism sweeping the nation has been less directly addressed.

The Anti Defamation League, founded in 1913, is one of the nation’s oldest civil rights groups. It actively combats antisemitism and other forms of bigotry.

Both Schorr brothers are members of Leaders For Tomorrow, which Cooper said encouraged them to take action in the face of tragedy.

“Some people think too much about themselves and not that much of others,” Cooper, 16 and a junior at Lynbrook High School, said. “It’s definitely important to show your support to others especially in a time like this.”

Liam himself has seen a rise in antisemitism since the Israel-Hamas war began. Liam is a freshman at Columbia University and is in a dual program to receive a degree from both Columbia and the Jewish Theological Seminary. At Columbia, the Hillel had to go on lockdown. Someone assaulted a Jewish student. Groups have chanted antisemitic slogans, Liam said.

“Jewish students have been feeling unwelcome,” Liam said. “I’m seeing this firsthand.”

Even though some people remain divided, communities on Long Island are mostly coming together.

“My community has been a lot of help getting this fundraiser to reach its goal,” Cooper said. “My friends, family, and people that I don’t even know all helped and donated.”

“A lot of non-Jewish people have donated too,” Liam said. “All these people in the local community came together to support. It was very powerful to see.”

The brothers said that it was important to them to help their Jewish community facing antisemitism here at home — whether they knew each other personally or not, Liam said, there’s a level of connection and kinship there that drives the community to look out for each other.

“I felt really good that we made an impact,” Liam said. “That we raised all this money that is going to combat this.”

“I always think it’s important to look after your friends, your family and definitely your community,” Cooper said.

Those interested in contributing to the fundraiser can visit tinyurl.com/SchorrFundraiser.