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Jewish Journal

Connect. Inform. Inspire.

May 17, 2023

Does Fake News Even matter?

Columnists /

In recent years, a common term thrown around is “fake news.”

Fake news has been treated as an existential crisis. Hillary Clinton blamed fake news propagated by the Russians for her 2016 loss to Donald Trump. President Trump repeatedly attacked the media for spreading fake news. Tech CEOs and government officials have taken unprecedented steps to restrict and censor stories deemed to be fake news.

One problem with this approach is that determining what constitutes fake news is often subjective. Many political activists deem fake news to be anything they politically disagree with. On more than one occasion, stories that were deemed fake news turned out to be truthful. The Hunter Biden laptop story was censored and dismissed as “Russian disinformation” right before the 2020 presidential election. By attempting to prevent a possible fake news story influencing an election, the censors may have influenced the election in the opposite direction.

Another problem comes from individual arbiters lacking intellectual discernment. They cannot process the nuances between reality and satire. The Babylon Bee clearly advertises itself as a leading source of fake news. Their stories are frequently censored despite their publicly stating upfront that their entire business model is humorous fake news.

Yet for those who are capable of going beyond politics, an even deeper question arises.

Does fake news even matter?

Maybe people should be free to spread as much fake news as they want. Readers should be responsible for doing their own due diligence.

Honesty matters, but knowingly saying or posting something false should be an ethical matter, not a legal one.

This is not about politics. A person may post that they are worth 20 billion dollars and leaving their money to their dog. Why should it matter to the government that the person is a working stiff who does not even own a dog?

It is illegal to lie in a court of law or in a deposition. There are legal remedies for people who are victims of libel, slander, or defamation. Beyond those clear lines, why should it matter if a person chooses to post something online that is completely false?

Try going to a local tavern. Plenty of people are lying about their age, income, occupation, and pretty much everything else in an attempt to impress a potential business or romantic interest.

Take the advertising industry. Their entire industry is about convincing people that they are ugly and hopeless. Advertisers then convince people that certain products will make them beautiful and hopeful. Does anyone really believe that a certain toothpaste will make you better than you were before?

If fake news were illegal, almost every internet and mobile dating profile would need to be shut down. So would chatrooms where people discuss everything from their stock picks to their foolproof cold remedies and home cleaning products. People buying every product they see on an infomercial or online advertisement should not blame others for their own gullibility.

If fake news were illegal, almost every internet and mobile dating profile would need to be shut down. So would chatrooms where people discuss everything from their stock picks to their foolproof cold remedies and home cleaning products.

Rather than criminalize lying, it should be the responsibility of individuals to think for themselves.

Until then, the answer is more speech for everyone. Let everybody embellish their wealth and beauty. Let everyone link to articles that are absurd on their face. Let everyone sell falsehoods if they choose. Then caveat emptor, let the buyer beware.

Let the online version of the National Enquirer insist that aliens from another planet are impregnating Hollywood celebrities. Maybe those alien children are rigging our elections by implanting microchips in our arms.

Let the craziest conspiracy theories flow wild and free. Given how depressing real news can be, maybe it is best that fake news be allowed to stay with us. It is better to expose thousands of preposterous stories than live in a nation denying Americans the chance to do their own vetting.

Lying is harmful. Letting government decide what constitutes lying is far worse.

Eric Golub is a retired stockbrokerage and oil professional living in Los Angeles.

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A Man of Few Words is a Nazi Killer

Film /

Part of going to a movie is suspending our belief, especially when one man can take out a huge number of enemies without getting killed. “Sisu” is a film about a man named Aatami (Jorma Tommila), a former Finnish soldier , who in 1944 chanced upon a nice amount of gold. Brutal SS men think they will simply take the gold and kill Aatami. There’s hand-to-hand fighting — Aatami stabs one Nazi in the head — explosions and a lot of testosterone. If only there would have been people in real life like this guy killing Nazis to save Jews, rather than gold, it would have been wonderful.

This film has among the fewest lines of dialogue that you will hear, which can be viewed as a strength or a weakness. After all, what is there to say? The man wants to live and keep his gold. 

This film has among the fewest lines of dialogue that you will hear, which can be viewed as a strength or a weakness. After all, what is there to say? The man wants to live and keep his gold. The Nazis want to kill him and take the gold. It’s not like Henry Kissinger is going to jump in for some conversations about negotiations. There is no exact translation for “Sisu” but it refers to a white knuckled form of courage and determination against incredible odds.

Why doesn’t Aatami simply give up the gold, rather than risk his life. Apparently because he thinks he’s a badass who can kill them all. He has a dog and horse, is a simple man and whatever he learned as a soldier has made him a one-man death squad. In getting back his gold, his strength is otherworldly — he survives landmines.

There is no complexity here. The Nazis are evil. Aatami is good. The Finnish women, captives of the Nazis who are sexual prisoners are good people and can be free if the Nazis are killed.

The film is beautifully shot and has an almost comic book feel. The point of the film is the action, the violence, the carnage, the murder, the death and the life, the winners and the losers. Even so, the film would have been stronger with a bit more dialogue to flesh out some characters a little.

The fantasy of killing Nazis was shown as well in “Inglourious Basterds” though there were more lines of dialogue in the first few minutes of that film than all of “Sisu.”

Aksel Hennie is decent as a baddie named Bruno. Directed and written by Jalmari Helander, credit must be given for making a film that is different from most. There is much left unsaid; the audience understands that this period of time was difficult. Here is a man, clinging to gold, the one prize he can have and he doesn’t want to be taken away from him, as if that would be the final dishonor, and if he needs blood, guts, mud or anything on him to get to the finish line and exchange the gold for money, that’s fine. The final scene of the film tries to be humorous and isn’t really, but we can let that slide.

This is one of the more pure and potent films you will see. It is not one that requires you to think very much. It doesn’t ask you to examine the root causes of evil, only to admit that some people have committed atrocities, and while we may hope that they burn in hell, as there is no guarantee there is one, it is our duty to eliminate them.

The film may have a cathartic benefit to many. Aatami is the anti-James Bond who can still be still pretty cool. If you can stand violence and can manage with little dialogue, this film is for you.

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Shalom Square Dedication, Camp Bob Waldorf Golf Classic, VBS Gala

Movers & Shakers /
Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Hillel Newman and Israeli-American Civic Action Network CEO Dillon Hosier point upward toward the new “Shalom Peace Square” sign in West Hollywood. Courtesy of the Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles

The Consulate General of Israel in Los Angeles on May 7 dedicated the intersection of La Brea and Lexington Avenues in West Hollywood — called “Shalom Peace Square” — with West Hollywood Mayor Sepi Shyne and Congregation Kol Ami Rabbi Denise Eger. Members of the LGBTQ community took part in the celebratory occasion.

According to Consul General of Israel in Los Angeles Hillel Newman, the commemoration was held in honor of Israel’s Independence Day. The Jewish State recently celebrated its 75th anniversary.

CEO Cari Uslan with Event Co-Chairs Joey Behrstock (left) and Steve Miller. Courtesy of Camp Bob Waldorf

Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters of Los Angeles (JBBBSLA) held its 30th Annual Camp Bob Waldorf Golf Classic on May 1 at Valencia Country Club, raising money to send youth from low-income households across Los Angeles to overnight summer camp this summer. JBBBSLA has owned and operated Camp Bob Waldorf in Glendale for over 80 years to give youth an enriching summer camp experience and provide them with the tools and support system to thrive, from elementary school to college and beyond.

 The Golf Classic raised more than $370,000. The event’s success was due, in part, to the dedicated Event Co-Chairs Joey Behrstock and Steve Miller.

 At the event’s closing awards dinner, golfers heard from JBBBSLA CEO Cari Uslan, JBBBSLA Board President and former camper Sandy Sigal, Camp Director Simon Hansen, camp namesake Bob Waldorf and camper Samy Desman.

“Thanks to Camp Bob Waldorf, I learned things that have truly changed me as a person,” Desman, a former camper who will be a leader-in-training at camp this summer, said. “When I’m at camp, I never feel alone. I never feel bored or tired or angry. I feel happy and calm. After these last few years of isolation, returning to camp and experiencing that sense of home again is really important.”

 All campers receive partial or full financial aid, and the annual event ensures more youth from low-income households can attend camp and develop valuable life skills, build confidence, and become future leaders. 

 “Our campers experience tremendous life challenges, such as food insecurity, homelessness, and trauma,” Uslan said. “At camp, we give these kids a safe space where they can have fun, make new friends, and just enjoy being kids. Before learning about our camp, many parents tell us they never dreamed they could afford to send their children to an overnight camp experience. Our camp is different. We ensure that all children can attend regardless of their ability to pay. Today’s generous supporters make camp possible for children throughout Los Angeles.”

“This year and last year, we’ve had a significant increase in the request to attend summer camp for free due to life circumstances,” Hansen said. “Traditional summer camp is not a possibility for most of our campers. Everyone here today has helped us say yes to providing financial assistance to more families in need.”

From left: Valley Beth Shalom gala honorees Jeff and Karen Goss and Donna and Ron Bender.
Courtesy of Valley Beth Shalom

More than 550 attendees joined Conservative congregation Valley Beth Shalom (VBS) to honor its past president, Jeff Goss, as well as Donna and Ron Bender for their continued dedication to VBS and the Jewish community.

The May 7 event also celebrated Israel’s milestone 75th birthday. 

The evening opened with a cocktail hour serving bites and signature drinks, including crowd favorites Goldstar Beer and Arak-Limonana, then ushered the group into the Levine Community Center gym for the evening’s program.

The festivities consisting of musical performances by VBS Cantors Jacqueline Rafii and Herschel Fox and the VBS Youth Choir; presentation of the awards from Rabbis Nolan Lebovitz and Ed Feinstein to the evening honorees; stories from several community members about their unique VBS experiences; and a 30-minute set from comedian Elon Gold. 

After the program, VBS’ outdoor field transported guests to a traditional shuk, complete with Israeli dishes, drumming, and dancing.

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