Judaism in the MediaJudaism in the Media

Justin McCrearyJustin McCreary

Judaism in Television

• Judaism is often satirized in television. • Parodies

– When tastefully done, can be entertaining. – When done poorly, can be offensive.

“When You Wish Upon a Weinstein”

• Peter: “Max, lets not deny our heritages. You’re Jewish, you’re good with money. I’m Irish, I drink, and I ban homosexuals from marching in my parade.”

• Peter: “Just think, Chris. In a few minutes you’ll be a smart, successful Jewish man. I could make a foreskin joke but this is a solemn occasion.”

Seinfeld: “The Airport”• Attendant: Well, the only meal

left is a kosher meal.

Elaine: Kosher meal? I don't want a kosher meal. I don't even know what a kosher meal is.

Passenger 1: I think it means when a Rabbi has inspected it, or something.

Passenger 2: No, no. It all has to do with the way they kill the pig.

Passenger 1: They don't eat pigs!

Passenger 2: They do if it's killed right-- under a Rabbi's supervision.

Saturday Night Live: Eddie Murphy: Gumby

• Gumby:“You know how long it’s been since I had a Morry Amsterdam sandwich?”

• Waiter: “That’ll be $17.27.” Gumby: “For what?” Waiter: “For the last time you

ran out without paying the bill.”

Gumby: “Wait a minute, smart guy, that wasn’t me.”

Waiter: “No, it was some other green Jew.”

Futurama: “Future Stock”: Bot Mitzvah

• Fry: “Ooh, a bot mitzvah! Shalom hunger. Shalom free food.”

• Fry: “You guys don’t believe in Robot Jesus?”

Robot Rabbi: “We believe he was built, and that he was a well-programmed robot, but he was not our messiah.”

Family Guy: “No Meals on Wheels”: Scarejew

• Lois: “Peter, what the hell?!?” Peter: “Lois, I'm tired of Mort always mooching off us, so I made a Scarejew.”

• Mort: “Hey guys, I just wanted to return your... Oooh! Oh my god it's Hitler! He's back, he's back. Hurry, protect Jon Stewart. He's our most important Jew.”

Judaism in Film• Several films portray Judaism in an

accurate, sad way.• Jewish history is ripe with prejudice.• Such films show great respect for the

Jewish culture.• Two well known films are Fiddler on the

Roof, and Schindler’s List.

Fiddler on the Roof• The film inspired by

Broadway musical.• Movie takes place in

Anatevka, Russia in 1905.

• This film greatly depicted the Jewish culture.

• Songs: “Tradition,” “Sabbath Prayer,” “To Life.”

• Depicted the struggle many Jews faced in order to stay loyal to their faith.

Schindler’s List• Schindler’s List tells the

story of Oskar Schindler.• A war profiteer, and

member of the Nazi party. • Saved 1,100 Jews during

the Holocaust.• Honors how Schindler

came to respect, honor, and weep for the Jewish people.

• “The list is an absolute good. The list is life.”