Success came with an unspoken condition: Contribute everywhere, quietly. But over time, that bargain blurred Jewish identity into the background until others began rewriting our story entirely.
Not everything that wasn’t explicitly Jewish was about Jews “hiding.” Jews are a tiny minority—if you want a movie, a show, or a story to succeed, you make it broader so more people can relate to it. That’s not erasure, that’s reality.
Take Seinfeld. Everybody knew they were Jewish. The humor, the culture, the references—it was all there. But it was universal enough that people in the Midwest connected to it too. That’s why it worked.
Same with actors changing their names or stories being adapted. That wasn’t always about shame or suppression. It was about building something that could reach a wider audience. Every immigrant group has done that in one way or another.
I think sometimes we’re reading too much into it. Yes, there were moments in history where people felt pressure to fit in—but a lot of what you’re describing here is just smart storytelling and basic economics, not some grand effort to erase Jewish identity.
My experience with Seinfeld suggests that its humour was not as universal as you think, Frederick. Way back then, I played in a pick-up hockey game on Thursday nights and lots of us were Jewish. The game was later in the evening after Seinfeld had aired and, as we went over all the funny shtick of that night’s show, some of the non-Jewish guys would just shake their heads as they acknowledged that they just didn’t ‘get’ the show. Sometimes, in-jokes are just in-jokes.
Teddy, I absolutely agree with you. Some of them were very much in-jokes.
But I meant, all in all, the author was talking about the cross and all that. It was just to be inclusive, that's all. Of course, that's strictly my opinion.
For sure there were actors who changed their names to hide identities. ( Edward G. Robinson, Kirk Douglas, et Al.)
But where I grew up in silver spring, MD, with many Holocaust survivors, the Jews built large synagogues, Jewish community centers, schools, etc. We put our Chanukiyot in the windows and our mezuzot on our doorposts.
We had multiple kosher butchers and book stores. We attended large rallies for Soviet Jewry and in support of Israel.
Now in my city of Baltimore we have the same.
The big difference is that now we have armed security guards at the door of the shul.
Just the way the world is. We have our own country now. Also, to add, that Antisemitism when at the top of society, is a cold calculation to steal Jewish property. It is not even hatred, but applied hatred to assist stealing. Yes, we are sensitive about our identity as all immigrant groups are. But the animosity when State-applied from the top, is not even about Jewishness. Just the way the world is.
And yet there are many movies that have been made concerning specific groups of people that have done very well. Remember Boys Town? How many movies about Catholics? About the Puritans, about boxers, football players, about the Black American experience? I think if a movie or play is well-written, well-played, it will attract an audience. After all, many of the best Christmas songs were written by Jews. What I really find amusing is the fact that "Jewish Christmas", going to a movie and a Chinese restaurant on the day was probably popular with Jews as Chiinese restaurants were traditionally the only restaurants open on Christmas. Now, even though Jews are a tiny segment of the population, it's become very difficult to get into a Chinese restaurant on Christmas as they are now packed with people. Not that I don't also relate to your perspective. I lived in Seattle, and I look Jewish. It was very difficult for me there and, at the time I blamed myself. I recall a newspaper article concerning an entire family that was murdered, beaten to death with an iron, parents and two young sons on Christmas Eve, because this particular psychotic assumed them to be Jewish by their name, despite the Christmas tree in their living room. I can't forget the comment in the article in the Seattle Times, the most popular paper at the time, "And the tragedy is they weren't even Jewish".
I think this article oversimplifies things.
Not everything that wasn’t explicitly Jewish was about Jews “hiding.” Jews are a tiny minority—if you want a movie, a show, or a story to succeed, you make it broader so more people can relate to it. That’s not erasure, that’s reality.
Take Seinfeld. Everybody knew they were Jewish. The humor, the culture, the references—it was all there. But it was universal enough that people in the Midwest connected to it too. That’s why it worked.
Same with actors changing their names or stories being adapted. That wasn’t always about shame or suppression. It was about building something that could reach a wider audience. Every immigrant group has done that in one way or another.
I think sometimes we’re reading too much into it. Yes, there were moments in history where people felt pressure to fit in—but a lot of what you’re describing here is just smart storytelling and basic economics, not some grand effort to erase Jewish identity.
My experience with Seinfeld suggests that its humour was not as universal as you think, Frederick. Way back then, I played in a pick-up hockey game on Thursday nights and lots of us were Jewish. The game was later in the evening after Seinfeld had aired and, as we went over all the funny shtick of that night’s show, some of the non-Jewish guys would just shake their heads as they acknowledged that they just didn’t ‘get’ the show. Sometimes, in-jokes are just in-jokes.
Teddy, I absolutely agree with you. Some of them were very much in-jokes.
But I meant, all in all, the author was talking about the cross and all that. It was just to be inclusive, that's all. Of course, that's strictly my opinion.
For sure there were actors who changed their names to hide identities. ( Edward G. Robinson, Kirk Douglas, et Al.)
But where I grew up in silver spring, MD, with many Holocaust survivors, the Jews built large synagogues, Jewish community centers, schools, etc. We put our Chanukiyot in the windows and our mezuzot on our doorposts.
We had multiple kosher butchers and book stores. We attended large rallies for Soviet Jewry and in support of Israel.
Now in my city of Baltimore we have the same.
The big difference is that now we have armed security guards at the door of the shul.
Excellent article. The point that many Jews in American history (if not the world) have put effort into erasing themselves resonates deeply.
Just the way the world is. We have our own country now. Also, to add, that Antisemitism when at the top of society, is a cold calculation to steal Jewish property. It is not even hatred, but applied hatred to assist stealing. Yes, we are sensitive about our identity as all immigrant groups are. But the animosity when State-applied from the top, is not even about Jewishness. Just the way the world is.
GOD BLESS ISRAEL AND ITS PEOPLE
yes, and now the "Occupation" makes Jews like Germans.....
Only if you have absolutely no idea what you’re talking about.
see Gideon Levy in Haaretz........."denying the genocide in Gaza is the same as the Holocaust deniers"......
And yet there are many movies that have been made concerning specific groups of people that have done very well. Remember Boys Town? How many movies about Catholics? About the Puritans, about boxers, football players, about the Black American experience? I think if a movie or play is well-written, well-played, it will attract an audience. After all, many of the best Christmas songs were written by Jews. What I really find amusing is the fact that "Jewish Christmas", going to a movie and a Chinese restaurant on the day was probably popular with Jews as Chiinese restaurants were traditionally the only restaurants open on Christmas. Now, even though Jews are a tiny segment of the population, it's become very difficult to get into a Chinese restaurant on Christmas as they are now packed with people. Not that I don't also relate to your perspective. I lived in Seattle, and I look Jewish. It was very difficult for me there and, at the time I blamed myself. I recall a newspaper article concerning an entire family that was murdered, beaten to death with an iron, parents and two young sons on Christmas Eve, because this particular psychotic assumed them to be Jewish by their name, despite the Christmas tree in their living room. I can't forget the comment in the article in the Seattle Times, the most popular paper at the time, "And the tragedy is they weren't even Jewish".