Judaism

The relationship of Judaism and film is one of appearances and absences, not only in terms of portrayals of the religious tradition but also in terms of Jewish actors, Jewish characters, and Jews in the film industry. The Yiddish-language film industry provided portrayals of Jewish practice, but to an overwhelmingly Jewish audience; portrayal of Jews in silent and early sound films presented Jews to a broader audience, but as either stock-character stereotypes or an ethnicity rather than as members of a religious tradition. The emerging studio system enabled Jews to play significant roles in the production, content, and distribution of film, but either without recognition of their Judaism or in defense (or denial) of it against conspiracy theorists. American society after the Cold War saw the rise of Jewish writers, directors, and actors who felt more comfortable representing (or examining) their Judaism on the screen. Because of the size of the Jewish population, both in general and in separate areas within the film industry, these appearances and absences are most noticeable in the American context, but they also can be found occurring in the film industries of other countries. Recent events in and around film continue to reveal the often-tense relationship between Jews and the larger dominant culture, as well as the social precariousness perceived by members of the Jewish community.