You probably recognize Moran Goldschmidt as the outspoken activist in the orange Batman shirt, combatting antisemitism from her Instagram platform @speakupjew. But what you might not know is she’s also an educator who impacts kids across the globe with her weekly interactive storytime (and unlike that other educator, she actually cares about all children).

An Israeli-Canadian currently based in Miami, Moran is a speech-language therapist and literacy specialist with a Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Columbia University. Moran’s identity has long embodied the theme of speaking up—first with her speech therapy background, and now extending to her online activism where she stands up for the Jewish community to more than 20,000 followers and counting.

But Moran’s advocacy work doesn’t stop there. Recognizing a need after October 7, she began offering a bilingual early childhood storytime that’s become a cherished source of light, connection, and Jewish pride. Every week, over 100 children from Israel and more than 15 other countries tune in live for Moran’s interactive story highlighting Jewish holidays, beloved books, culture, values, and more. And the best part? It’s free.

I was excited to connect with Moran and dig deeper into her advocacy work, her upcoming storytime tour in Israel, and of course…the topic of Ms. Rachel.

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Leah Grossman: Hi, Moran! You’ve been an impactful voice for the Jewish community since October 7. Were you involved in Jewish advocacy prior to this?

Moran Goldschmidt: Before October 7, I was a mom, a speech-language therapist, and a child educator working with hundreds of children in Florida each week. After October 7, I felt called to action. I didn’t want to sit idly by in America watching the horrors unfold. I wanted to do my small part to bring a little light into the darkness.

So I started a free storytime to teach and inspire children in Israel and around the world. Over time, I realized that working with children also meant being their advocate. Whether it’s helping them find their voice, supporting them through difficult times, or speaking out when hatred affects their lives, I believe our children deserve adults who are willing to stand up for them.

LG: I’m sure you’ve had to endure plenty of hate online, but you consistently speak up on important issues with clarity and conviction. Where does your chutzpah come from?

MG: I’m Israeli, so chutzpah is in my DNA. I’m also the granddaughter of Holocaust survivors who rebuilt their lives in Israel after the war.

Growing up, I often wondered what I would have done during that dark time. Would I have hidden, fought back, given up, or helped others? On October 7, I felt compelled to do something. In the grand scale of a war, a storytime may seem small, but it’s my way of bringing light into the darkness.

I also wanted my own two children to see that their mother didn’t sit silently while hatred against Jews spread around the world, and I wanted my students to know that someone had their back. Speaking up wasn’t about becoming an activist or an influencer. It was about accepting a responsibility that history placed in front of me and making both my grandparents (z’l) and my children proud.

LG: You jokingly refer to yourself as “the orange........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)