| Description |
Within American society today, the Jew enjoys a popularity which he has never before known. His successes in business, science, politics, education--indeed, in every facet of our life--is very much in evidence. While such success may be attributed to the fact that, at long last, America is coming to realize its potential for democracy, still, even in that most undemocratic area of American life--high society--the Jew thrives; chroniclers of the "beautiful people" report that Jewishness is not only accepted among them, but is considered "chic." Of all the areas in which the popularity of the Jew shows itself, perhaps the most obvious one is that of the theatrical arts. Jewish comedians (i.e., comedians offering Jewish-flavored humor) abound in television, and serious programs in that medium frequently concern themselves with the Jew's history, music, art, literature, customs and problems which are peculiar to his Jewishness. Motion pictures, too, have experienced this penomenon. Jews have always had a big hand in this industry, but usually behind the cameras, selecting and directing Christian talent. But today they are very much before the cameras. Many Hollywood productions are felt to be incomplete without at least one Jewish character within, commenting cynically on the goings-on. And, of course, there is the phenomenal success of Barbra Streisand, who has made no attempt to tone down her abundant Jewishness. Also, there is the field of literature. |
