047: Algorithms and Anti-Semitism: A Conversation with Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor and Eli Ovits

When a songwriter sits with an ancient psalm, what happens when those words collide with the wild, unseen machinery of the internet? In this episode of The Rest is Commentary, host Shep Rosenman brings together Tal-Or Cohen Montemayor, founder of CyberWell, and Eli Ovitz to talk about “Windstorms,” a song drawn from Psalm 64, and what it reveals about the power of language in the digital age.   Tal-Or traces her path from the world of law to building CyberWell, the first live, open database of online antisemitism, using data, AI, and trust-and-safety partnerships to push social platforms toward real accountability. She and Eli walk us through how algorithms, engagement incentives, and policy enforcement decisions can turn a single post into a storm—amplifying hate, distorting public debate, and spilling over into real-world harm.   From protests in Iran and the shadow of the IRGC to the long arc of movements across the Middle East, the conversation widens into a story about democracy, extremism, and how our digital public square is being shaped in real time. Along the way, our guests ask what it would take—for platforms, policymakers, and ordinary users—to build a healthier information ecosystem, rooted in better digital literacy, smarter regulation, and public support.   If you want to go deeper or get involved, you can learn more about CyberWell’s work at cyberwell.org.