“Space Jews” and Redistricting

I rarely used to watch Netflix or any other streaming network. Then COVID hit, and I started watching “Law and Order” voraciously, as well as “Cobra Kai” and a couple of other guilty pleasures. As I was reading the recent news about comedian Dave Chappelle and people wanting to boycott him due to his offensive jokes about transgender people, I was curious to know what the fuss was about. In Chappelle’s comedy special, “The Closer,” he makes a joke that appears to assert that Jews want to control the world (“The Protocols of the Elders of Zion,” anyone?). “In my movie idea, we find out that these aliens are originally from earth. That they’re from an ancient civilization that achieved interstellar travel and left the earth thousands of years ago,” he says. “Some other planet they go to, and things go terrible for them on the other planet, so they come back to earth, [and] decide that they want to claim the earth for their very own. It’s a pretty good plot-line, huh? I call it ‘Space Jews.’” Later during his routine, Chappelle speaks about a “true story” regarding a former African American slave who was freed and then became a slave owner himself. “How can a person that went through slavery perpetuate the same evil on a person that looks just like him?” he asked. “It’s mind blowing. And shockingly, they’re making a movie about him. Ironically, it’s called ‘Space Jews.’”

One of the [redistricting] plans is extremely detrimental to those in the more observant Jewish community. 

Last week I was on a Zoom call with the Los Angeles City Commission as they are deciding how to change district lines that would change who represents the various communities. In Los Angeles, redistricting must happen every 10 years when the census data comes out in order to create equitable districts focused on population percentages and the voting rights acts. One of the plans is extremely detrimental to those in the more observant Jewish community. 

There has been a push to make changes to the current proposal that would still allow the community to be representative fairly. As I have seen the process progress through its various iterations, I have observed what seems to be, at times, underlying antisemitism; and at other times, I have witnessed overt antisemitism. This was apparent on the Zoom call. As various interest groups stood up for themselves, rightfully so, and discussed why the plan worked or did not work for them, they received very little, if any, push back from people. Everyone shared their special interests, their struggles, and explained why a certain plan worked for their special interest group. Unfortunately, when it came to what is best for the observant Jewish community, people spoke up and claimed that it is unfair for a religious group to have special treatment. Some Jews even joined the pushback: “I am so and so and I am Jewish and I oppose this plan as a Jew.” When concerns came from the Latino community, African American community, Asian American community, Armenian American community and others there was no direct push back based on race, ethnicity, religion, or any other category. Instead, each group was heard and given a chance to speak to what would or would not benefit their community. The difference was telling.

And that brings me back to Chappelle’s “Space Jews.” Comedy should make light of certain things; it’s an important function of the genre. At the same time, antisemitic tropes are exactly that: antisemitic tropes. Jokes based on antisemitic, racist or other stereotypes can be harmful to minority communities in some cases. But while Chappelle’s jokes disparaging Jews are just as blatant and potentially harmful as his jokes about the transgender community, most of the uproar is focused on the latter instead of the former. It’s as if everyone has silently agreed that it’s okay to peddle jokes laden with antisemitic tropes, that of all the minority communities that need protecting, Jews don’t make the cut. 

As a community, where do we draw the line? Whether we’re dealing with political boundaries or antisemitism in Hollywood, where are the voices of reason? Why are we vocal when we see some forms of bigotry but become quiet and meek when it comes to speaking out against the voices of antisemitism? 

Given the disparity between who are willing to speak up for Jews and those who are willing to speak up for every other minority community, I can’t help but whether, if “Space Jews” was a real film, ticket sales would soar. Sadly, I suspect the film would be a blockbuster hit, if for no other reason than the absence of voices of reason when it comes to Jews.

Rabbi Dr. Chaim Meyer Tureff is the Rav Beit Sefer at Pressman Academy, an author, and founder and director of STARS, which guides people struggling with addiction. He can be reached at rav.meir18@gmail.com.