An AI-generated “Orthodox rabbi” built to deceive and inflame managed to reach more than 1.4 million followers on Instagram before being taken offline this weekend, exposing how easily antisemitic conspiracy theories can be packaged, monetized, and amplified in the digital age. The account, known as “Rabbi Goldman,” presented a polished, authoritative figure—complete with traditional appearance and confident delivery—while pushing familiar libels about Jewish wealth, power, and manipulation.
According to a report by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, the “Rabbi Goldman” account is part of a broader and growing tactic: the use of AI-generated Jewish figures to lend credibility to antisemitic narratives. The report identified at least 12 such fake “rabbis,” with a combined following of over 2.1 million users.
The now-removed account featured videos in which the fabricated rabbi, sometimes depicted in luxury settings, claimed that Jews use empty private jets to evade taxes and possess hidden financial knowledge accumulated over thousands of years. In one clip flagged by users, a community note warned: “This is an AI generated rabbi who is trying to scam you by selling a fake $9 get rich handbook. This account is run by scammers based in South India.”
The content followed a consistent formula in which videos opened with vague references to secret Jewish knowledge, drawing viewers in before pivoting to conspiracy claims about global elites, government control, and staged financial schemes. The pitch concluded with a product sale: a low-cost guide marketed as “Jewish” financial wisdom. The material itself was generic and often included random references to the Talmud, stripped of context and meaning.
Even after the original account was removed, copies quickly appeared. Several new “Rabbi Goldman” accounts have already accumulated tens of thousands of followers, openly describing themselves as backup accounts. Another AI persona, “Rabbi Rothstein,” has gained over 57,000 followers and posted more than 100 videos since February, repeating similar claims about Jewish financial behavior.
Lawmakers have begun to take notice. Josh Gottheimer, the U.S. representative for New Jersey’s 5th congressional district since 2017, called the phenomenon “disgusting” and “dangerous,” adding, “These AI-generated rabbis and their antisemitic BS have real consequences.” Despite the backlash, Meta Platforms has not clarified whether the original account was removed or suspended, nor whether broader enforcement is forthcoming.
The report also pointed to a deeper structural issue. Over a 96-hour period in March, researchers documented 100 antisemitic posts actively recommended by Instagram’s algorithm, generating millions of likes and shares and reaching an estimated 150 to 280 million users. The system, according to the report, creates what it calls “closed content environments,” where users are repeatedly fed similar material, reinforcing hostile narratives.
Sacha Roytman, CEO of the Combat Antisemitism Movement, stated, “When a platform actively recommends content that dehumanizes Jews to mass audiences, we are no longer talking about a simple oversight… We are talking about infrastructure that normalizes hatred at scale.”
Jewish leaders had already warned of such outcomes. In 2024, Meta replaced its third-party fact-checking system with a community-driven model similar to that used by X, prompting concern that harmful content would spread more easily. Critics described the move as opening “the floodgates” to targeted hate.
The use of an AI-generated rabbi is a calculated attempt to weaponize the image of Torah authority against the Jewish people themselves. The outer form is familiar—a beard, a title, references to sacred texts—but the content is a distortion designed to deceive.
