Rabbi Shmuley Boteach and Roseanne Barr participate in “Is America a Forgiving Nation?,” a Yom Kippur eve talk on forgiveness hosted by the World Values Network and the Jewish Journal at Saban Theatre on September 17, 2018 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rachel Luna/Getty Images)
The media is reporting that my friend Roseanne Barr said on a podcast that no Jews died in the Holocaust. I have not talked with Roseanne. I find it hard to believe that someone who has joined me in fighting antisemitism, and protecting Israel, throughout the world, including in a special trip we took to Israel in 2019 where we spoke before large audiences, would deny the historical fact of six million Jews being murdered in the largest genocide in world history.
The Holocaust is an incontrovertible historical fact. It’s absurd to even have to mention it. The podcast host, Theo Von, tweeted that it was sarcasm: “This Roseanne Barr clip was sarcasm folks. A clip taken out of a long sarcastic rant she had during our chat. Can we not recognize sarcasm anymore?”
Seth Mandel, who heard the podcast, tweeted: “She’s talking about the dangers of censorship and specifically used this example as what could happen if you let, say, YouTube decide what is true and what isn’t.”
Sarcasm and explanations aside, my friend Roseanne needs to personally and immediately clarify her statements, lest they be used by antisemites, Neo-Nazis, BDS Israel haters, and Islamists the world over, to deny the Holocaust.
This is a time for earnestness, not sarcasm. I call on my friend Roseanne to speak the truth she knows all too well, and the sooner the better.
Boteach to his friend Roseanne: “This is a time for earnestness, not sarcasm”
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach
The media is reporting that my friend Roseanne Barr said on a podcast that no Jews died in the Holocaust. I have not talked with Roseanne. I find it hard to believe that someone who has joined me in fighting antisemitism, and protecting Israel, throughout the world, including in a special trip we took to Israel in 2019 where we spoke before large audiences, would deny the historical fact of six million Jews being murdered in the largest genocide in world history.
The Holocaust is an incontrovertible historical fact. It’s absurd to even have to mention it. The podcast host, Theo Von, tweeted that it was sarcasm: “This Roseanne Barr clip was sarcasm folks. A clip taken out of a long sarcastic rant she had during our chat. Can we not recognize sarcasm anymore?”
Seth Mandel, who heard the podcast, tweeted: “She’s talking about the dangers of censorship and specifically used this example as what could happen if you let, say, YouTube decide what is true and what isn’t.”
Sarcasm and explanations aside, my friend Roseanne needs to personally and immediately clarify her statements, lest they be used by antisemites, Neo-Nazis, BDS Israel haters, and Islamists the world over, to deny the Holocaust.
This is a time for earnestness, not sarcasm. I call on my friend Roseanne to speak the truth she knows all too well, and the sooner the better.
Did you enjoy this article?
You'll love our roundtable.
Editor's Picks
Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review
The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC
What Ever Happened to the LA Times?
Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?
You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House
No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center
Latest Articles
Orthodox High School Acknowledges “Inappropriate Relationship” Between Students, Teacher
Trump is Guilty, JLo Cancels Tour, and I’m Getting Ready for Shabbat
He’s Waiting For Us
MAZON Honors Anti-Hunger Champions at Hunger Bites Gala
Exciting Events, Awesome Awards: Niver’s May News 2024
The Dust is Coming – A poem for Parsha Bechukotai
Culture
Auschwitz Cellist Confronts Rudolf Höss’ Son in Documentary, “The Commandant’s Shadow”
Vegetable Delight: A Tasty Asparagus and Pesto Quiche
Marooned for Life: A Review of ‘They Were Good Germans Once’
Delicious Donuts for National Donut Day
Jewish Individuals and Collective Responsibility
A Bisl Torah – A Tree of Life
The Torah is often compared to “a tree of life.”
A Moment in Time: “How Do We Know if Prayer Works?”
Say Mazel Tov with Graduation Cap Gift Jars
Here’s an easy and creative way to present a cash gift: mason jars topped with a graduation cap, filled with dollar bills rolled up like diplomas.
Print Issue: “I’m Not a Stay-in-Your-Lane Professor” | May 31, 2024
Author and scholar Gad Saad has attracted a major following by exposing the “parasitic” ideas that are eroding society and empowering antisemitism.
Hollywood
Spielberg Says Antisemitism Is “No Longer Lurking, But Standing Proud” Like 1930s Germany
Young Actress Juju Brener on Her “Hocus Pocus 2” Role
Behind the Scenes of “Jeopardy!” with Mayim Bialik
Podcasts
Inbal Baum: Delicious Israel, Food Joy and Coconut Cream Malabi
Murray Kalis: Advertising, Food and Mexican No-Matzo Matzo Brei
More news and opinions than at a
Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.
More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.