Hi @Sethrogen your work on Borat & Ali G helped influence my comedy. I went on to write Who Is America with SBC. I hope this thread might positively influence you to speak more to your Jewish cousins on other continents. Get in touch. Be nice to say hello
PS I know ur Canadian
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PS I know ur Canadian
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This is how it can seem: not only have some American Jews seen their connection to Israel erode, they’ve also forgotten their connection to other diaspora Jews. They can sometimes appear like our worst perception of Americans, ignorant of the rest of the world & uninterested
With a US-centric outlook they often assert what life is like for “the Jews”, believing their experience IS the default Jewish experience. But it’s not the case. Please look to & speak more to your cousins abroad whose reality past & present isn’t like that of American Jews:
The swinging sixties. Whilst American Jews were watching the Beatles on the Ed Sullivan show, Israel was having to PAY Morocco so that it’s Jews could be free. Like they were property. With no agency. Israel gave them agency.
In 1977 whilst US Jews were enjoying Atari video games & Star wars, Soviet Jews couldn’t freely express themselves as Jews or exercise freedom of movement. Natan Sharansky was imprisoned for opposing this. Soviet Jews needed & wanted Israel. When freed they went in vast numbers
In 1985 whilst American Jewish kids were watching The Goonies, Ethiopian Jewish kids were being secretly airlifted to a life of freedom in Israel. They left behind a world where they were derogatorily referred to as Falasha - wanderers. They didn’t want to wander anymore.
Jews have fled violence in France. In the UK 87% of Jews feared an antisemite cd get into power. We saw how quickly the atmosphere & circumstances can change for Jews even in a western society. I can’t imagine how vulnerable our ancestors felt without Israel in the background
I know “don’t put all your Jews in one basket is a joke” but the feeling behind it - that the occasional genocide & having to scatter & run is the Jewish norm, I believe was revolutionised by Israel. It’s a place where Jews can protect themselves and don’t have to run anymore
I wanna add that though there’s merit to the “sanctuary from persecution” angle, the moral, historical & anthropological justness of an Israel on part of the land to which Jewish origins are ultimately indigenous would exist even in a world free of antisemitism
The will to find peace with the Palestinians shouldn’t and doesn’t negate the above.
Anyway, more to discuss I’m sure, but these are some initial thoughts. Hope you’re well. Looking forward to ur film. My greatest sadness in life has been the non-existence of huge pickle festivals where I can go on a massive bender & compete competetively. Let’s speak. Best,
Lee
Lee
