Antisemitism and Hollywood

Variety assembles a diverse array of voices to provoke meaningful conversation and engage in constructive dialogue around the topic of antisemitism.


Watch Variety’s Antisemitism and Hollywood Summit

Top Hollywood creatives, comedians, industry experts and leadership from the Jewish community gathered in Los Angeles on Wednesday for Variety’s inaugural Antisemitism and Hollywood Summit. A…

  • Entertainment Industry

Julianna Margulies Condemns Hollywood’s ‘Shocking’ Silence on Antisemitism, Regrets Wearing a Cross on ‘The Morning Show’: Why Can’t It Be a Star of David?

Julianna Margulies is speaking out against Hollywood for staying silent on antisemitism amid the Israel-Hamas war. The Emmy-winning actor attended the Variety Hollywood &…

  • News

‘The Americans’ Showrunner Joel Fields Blasts WGA on Israel: ‘The Writers Guild Has Failed Us Deeply’

Joel Fields, the showrunner of “The Americans,” blasted the Writers Guild of America on Wednesday for failing to issue a statement condemning the Hamas…

  • News

Greg Berlanti, David Kohan and More on How Hollywood Can Combat Antisemitism: ‘Resiliency’ Is the ‘Jewish Story’

“It’s great to see everyone here. I wish we were meeting under better circumstances is the truth,” Matti Leshem began, introducing a panel on…

  • News

Marc Maron On Why He Won’t Stop Talking About Antisemitism

As a Jew, you are taught early on that you are different and people will hate you for it and maybe kill you. They’ve…

  • Actors

How Jewish Advocates Turned Social Media Into a Powerful Platform for Fighting Antisemitism

Social media influencer Lizzy Savetsky was two weeks into filming Season 14 of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New York” when a tidal wave of…

  • Focus

Beanie Feldstein Recalls the First Time She ‘Felt Othered for Being Jewish’ (Guest Column)

I grew up in West Los Angeles, surrounded by a lot of Jewish people. My family belonged to a Reform synagogue where we would…

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Why Hollywood Needs to ‘Explore and Highlight Jewish Joy,’ Not Just ‘Suffering or Idiosyncrasies’

“What’s your favorite Jewish movie?” This is not a question you often hear. Ask it and you’re likely to get a furrowed brow, a…

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Noa Tishby: Anti-Zionism is Antisemitism (Guest Column)

Sept. 15, 2023 Antisemitism has been called the “oldest form of hatred. And while we still see old school, “classic” anti-Jewish tropes from ugly…

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Jonathan Greenblatt: In 2023, Fighting Antisemitism Requires Constant Vigilance (Guest Column)

The American Jewish community has been on high alert for years. In the half-decade since 11 Jewish worshippers were murdered during a Shabbat service…

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New Mandate Aims to Share More Jewish Stories With the World: ‘The Gifts of the Jews are Many’

Matti Leshem is fast emerging as one of the industry’s most prominent leaders in the arena of Jewish storytelling. As co-founder, alongside Joel Greenberg…

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Mayim Bialik Reflects on ‘SNL’ Parody Mocking Her ‘Undeniably Jewish’ Nose

I got my nose in around about 4th grade. Before then, I had more of a little button nose. Adorable. But from the time…

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Jews in Hollywood Need to Get Comfortable With Their Jewishness

Szmuel Gelbfisz. Lazar Meir. Hirsz Mojżesz Wonsal. Or as you know their instantly recognizable Americanized surnames as ones of the ment who built Hollywood:…

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How LA’s Holocaust Museum Uses Education and Conversations With Survivors to Fight Antisemitism 

“I’m a bit sleepy tonight but when I awaken, I’m going death con 3 On JEWISH PEOPLE.” – Kanye West This statement shocked many…

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Emmanuelle Chriqui on Speaking Up Against Antisemitism in Hollywood: Maybe One Day I Can Play a ‘Complex and Fierce’ Jewish Woman

I was born in Montreal and raised in Toronto to a traditional French, Jewish and Moroccan family. My parents emigrated from Morocco with my…

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‘The Light in the Darkness’ Creator Shares How His Video Game Can Educate People About the Holocaust

Can video games tell stories about the Holocaust?Can this medium encourage the audience to relate and care more? I absolutely believe so. That’s why…

  • Games

USC Shoah Foundation’s Dr. Robert J. Williams Stresses Why Challenging Extremism Matters Now More Than Ever

The Variety Summit on Antisemitism comes at a time when the world’s oldest hatred is having a clear resurgence. Jews across the world —…

  • News

Gene Simmons Stresses Why Everyone Must Pay Attention to Antisemitism

My name is Gene Simmons.  I’m Jewish. My mother, Flora, was 14 years of age when she was in the concentration campsof Nazi Germany. …

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Antisemitism is Trending, But Celebrities Can Play a Role in Reversing this Trend

It is no secret that social media can wield untold power. Influencers and celebrities have spent the past two decades carefully cultivating a social…

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Hollywood Allies Are Essential for Combatting Antisemitism

You can never have too many allies, especially when some are the biggest entertainers on the planet. I witnessed that in the aftermath of…

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What If Jews Controlled (Better Representation In) Hollywood?

There was once a treacherous year in the spread of Jewish libels. Not surprisingly, violence against Jews rose during this time. There were depictions…

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How Jewish Influencers Are Combatting Antisemitism Online

For decades, movie and television stars have held a unique monopoly on cultural and social influence. With their lavish lifestyles, exquisite fashion and high…

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We Need to Talk to Teens about Antisemitism — But It Won’t Be Easy

If you grew up like I did — a Jewish kid in 1990s American suburbia — chances are you didn’t think much about antisemitism.…

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