Josh Malina Rebukes Hollywood Jews who Avoid Israel (Video)
Latest update: February 13th, 2013
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Josh Malina
Actor Josh Malina, who played President Martin Sheen’s speechwriter Will Bailey on West Wing and the shrewd sports analyst Jeremy Goodwin on Sports Night, is also a good guy politically, and wants a better profile for Israel and for Jews in Hollywood.
The Sun Sentinel reports that Malina told donors and leaders of the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County that the fact that there aren’t positive Jewish role models in Hollywood might be behind the sad phenomenon of so many Jewish college students experience little or no “feeling for Israel and sometimes their own Jewishness.”
Malina was speaking to more than 600 people during “The Event” at Boca West Country Club. The co-star of the new ABC series “Scandal” criticized his fellow Hollywood actors for not embracing Judaism or publicly supporting Israel.
He told his audience about sitting on the dais at a Los Angeles Jewish Federation rally for Jerusalem about 10 years ago, where very few Jewish celebrities on hand.
“Los Angeles is a town where you cannot shake a lulav without hitting a famous Jew,” Malina said. “How could they not be at this rally?”
He said he was appalled when he was told, “If it has anything to do with Israel, they won’t show up.”
He told the audience that his own Jewish identity came from growing up in a Jewish home, going to yeshiva and visiting Israel with his family.
Josh Malina was born in New York City. His parents, Fran and Robert Malina, were founding members of Young Israel of Scarsdale in New Rochelle where he grew up. Josh told an interviewer that the name “Malina,” which sounds more Hispanic than Jewish, is Polish for “raspberry.”
Malina said he and his wife, a convert to Conservative Judaism, raise their children in a Jewish home and with Jewish values.
His support for Israel “isn’t blind or inflexible,” Malina said.
“There are aspects of Israeli society, as there are for any society that could be improved. I think we do our own kids a disservice if we paint everything black and white, right or wrong, us or them,” Malina said, adding that he doesn’t keep those sides of Israel that appear in the news from his children.
Malina told the young parents in the audience to talk at home about all the issues that have to do with Israel, to support Israel and to visit with their kids.
Malina applauded the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County’s support of Jewish education, for sending teenagers to Israel through the Birthright program, and for their work within the community.
In Hollywood, “the instinct is to avoid controversy,” Malina said, meaning that because Israel is a controversial topic, it doesn’t get covered. He added: “I just think it’s a shame.”
He said he regularly speaks to Jewish groups around the country, and used do a lot of it during his stint on West Wing.
Rabbi Robert Silvers of Congregation B’nai Israel told the Sun Sentinel he was encouraged by Malina’s words. “He said acting is what I do and I have to be true to who I am,” Silvers said. “We can all stand up for Israel.”
tell a friendAbout the Author: JewishPress.com Senior Internet Editor Yori Yanover has been a working journalist since age 17, before he enlisted and worked for Ba'Machane Nachal. Since then he has worked for Israel Shelanu, the US supplement of Yedioth, JCN18.com, USAJewish.com, Lubavitch News Service, Arutz 7 (as DJ on the high seas), and the Grand Street News. He has published two fun books: The Cabalist's Daughter: A Novel of Practical Messianic Redemption, and How Would God REALLY Vote.
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2 Responses to “Josh Malina Rebukes Hollywood Jews who Avoid Israel (Video)”
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Thanks for the nice article. I think it's worth pointing out, though, that you include the phrase "Are you listening, Sarah Silverman," implying that she is one of those celebrities I would criticize, whereas I explicitly commend her in my speech.
I point out that she recently tweeted before an Israeli election, the following:
“My Israeli bros & sissies: Do yourselves a fave & Vote Meretz OR the Green Movement for Kenesset sweeet”.
You may or may not agree with her specific view of Israeli politics, but this tweet is a very powerful way of supporting Israel. It is Sarah proudly telling her Twitter audience of over 4 million that she considers Israelis family, and that she takes an interest in the country's future. Young Jewish kids look up to her, and it's great for them to see her proudly tweeting about Israel.
Sarah rocks. Had to point it out.
Dear Mr. Malina — I took out the offending line, not because I necessarily agree with you, but because I was addicted to Sports Night and I can't say no to you. So there.
Starstruck in Netanya
Yori -
Thanks for taking out the Silverman line. I appreciate it. You’re a mensch. There is one other little tweak I’d love you to make, if you can. The actual line I used was that Los Angeles “…is a town where you can’t shake a lulav without hitting a famous Jew.” In addition to being funnier, that more accurately makes my point.
Thanks,
J
Yori -
Thanks for taking out the Silverman line. I appreciate it. You’re a mensch. There is one other little tweak I’d love you to make, if you can. The actual line I used was that Los Angeles “…is a town where you can’t shake a lulav without hitting a famous Jew.” In addition to being funnier, that more accurately makes my point.
The Hollywood Left abandoned Israel long ago, because they were always more communist than zionist. They believe that Israel is an oppressor state which illegally occupies a part of Arabia. Communism rejects tribalism.
Josh,I am a huge fan of yours-Scandal is one of my favorite shows- in my capacity as chair of the Celebrate Israel Parade in New York,we would be honored and thrilled to have you join us on June 2, 2013 as a grand marshal and show your love and support for israel on fifth avenue.PLEASE consider and bring some Hollywood pals!!!!
Judy, I think he has an active Facebook page as well.