Richards isn't really Jewish, publicist admits

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15937228/site/3000001/from/RS.5/

Just when it seemed Michael Richards was about to leave the most troubling incident of his career behind, his publicist is having to explain how the comic could consider himself to be Jewish.

Last week, crisis-management expert Howard Rubenstein acknowledged that Richards had shouted anti-Semitic remarks in an April standup comedy routine — well before his appearance earlier this month in which he harangued hecklers with the n-word. But he defended Richards’ language about Jews, saying that the comic “is Jewish. He’s not anti-Semitic at all. He was role-playing.”

As Rubenstein’s assertion circulated, Jewish organizations and commentators pointed out that the man who played Cosmo Kramer on “Seinfeld” has not converted to Judaism and neither of his parents are Jewish.

<snip>

“Technically, not having been born by blood as Jewish and not formally going into a conversion, it was purely his interpretation of having adopted Judaism as his religion,” Rubenstein told The Associated Press on Tuesday. “He told me, ‘I’m Jewish,’ when I asked him.

“He said there were two mentors who raised him and who had a big influence on his life, and they were Jewish. He said, ‘I agree with the concepts and the religious beliefs of Judaism and I’ve adopted Judaism as my religion,”’ Rubenstein said. “He really thinks of himself as Jewish.”

[Azathoth]

1. And the hole Richards is digging for himself gets a little deeper

At this point, Richards would be better off if he just pulled a Dave Chappelle and disappeared without a trace for a year.

[Eric J in MN]

4. Better yet, how about he keeps a low-profile for the next 3 years,

...and then returns to show business.

[rockymountaindem]

2. So the word here is "Philosemite"

If neither of his parents are Jewish and he hasn't converted, then he's not Jewish. But if he's a big fan, then that's fine, it just doesn't mean he's actually Jewish.

[Lisa]

5. wasn't there a Seinfeld episode about a guy who wants to become Jewish

... so he can piggyback on the "great comedian" stereotype?

[Skittles]

6. the dentist, right?

when people objected they were called "anti-dentite" :rofl:

[progdonkey]

9. by Kramer no less!

Kramer: "You know what you are? You're an anti-dentite! The next thing you'll be saying is that they should have their own schools."

Jerry: "They do have their own schools!"

Classic moment. :rofl:

[darkism]

12. ...and for the joke-telling immunity. n/t

[Eric J in MN]

3. Richards is willing to embarass Jews by bogusly counting himself as one,

...to avoid being considered both racist and anti-semitic.

[tomhayes]

7. Wow, who really cares?

So what if he didn't go through the strict rules fo tthe Jewish church? He can have his faith be whatever he wants. (It's still all make believe anyway.)

[0rganism]

11. not exactly....

Judaism is more than a faith. There's a whole tribalistic thing, too. People can convert, but they have to prove their intentions to a council of rabbis by learning the traditions and practicing hallacha.

Remember, bona fide Jews are considered instantly eligible for Israeli citizenship. It isn't something Jews, at least, would take lightly.

[tomhayes]

14. Yeah, like I said : Who Cares?

It's still all made up anyways.

And it wouldn't make an outburst against jews any better.

[0rganism]

16. and, like I answered, Jews care

Of course it's all made up anyways. That doesn't make it any more or less important.

Just like the border between Mexico and the US is all made up anyways. Lo and behold, people still care, they risk life and limb to cross it.

Just like the notion of common law is all made up. Amazing, people still care, they care enough to put those who disregard it in cages.

All made up -- citizenship, democracy, social contracts, ethics, aesthetics, virtue, vice, love, hate, friendship, enmity, all complete fabrications. And all, apparently, worth caring for -- to someone.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

22. Perfect answer.

Nicely done.

[goclark]

20. Thank you for explaining that

I appreciate getting educated about various religions.

The sooner we all understand that we live in a melting pot and are willing to learn about the ingrediants, the better we will all be.

[Ecumenist]

18. Welcome to DU TomHayes...

:hi: Right glad to have ya here; every new member is a gift and an exoneration BUT I have to correct you on a few VERY important things... Jews DO NOT ATTEND CHURCHES, they worship in Synagogues or Temples. Secondly, Judaism is a faith governed by ritual and law, as well as faith and belief. The Law of Moses, keeping Kosher, etc. So, it's not a matter of Richards doing his "faith the way he wants", contrary to what you and many others may want to believe. It ain't that easy.

[NorthernSpy]

25. Jews are a potentially vulnerable and stigmatizable group, even in the US...

For a stigmatizable minority, it matters if some assclown is falsely claiming kinship with you while deliberately alienating much of society. Worse still if said assclown points to this assumed identity as the wellspring of his outrageous behavior.

[BikeWriter]

8. WTF? Just so he doesn't convert to Texanism, like *!

[cboy4]

10. Kramer the Anti-dentite

Pretty funny

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-gumbel/kramer-the-antidentite_b_34654.html

[anotherdrew]

13. hey, maybe he's black too? n/t

[EFerrari]

15. Let's treat him to a DNA test so he can figure out who he can insult

-- if anyone is still listening which seems unlikely.

[Tellurian]

17. Kramer could have done some good, as an anti-Bushite..

[Javaman]

19. Stick a fork in him. He's done. nt

[MrPrax]

21. Oh my...

Doesn't the media have anything better to do -- this whole thing was 'finished' last week.

Now it's just getting sad, pathetic, irrelevant...

[booksenkatz]

23. He's Jewish in the same way that Cheney is a Texan. nt

[NorthernSpy]

24. Ha! I KNEW it!

No, Richards isn't Jewish -- which is why I questioned the ADL's statement on Richards' lynching diatribe: it just seemed that too many people might see "ADL", remember Richards' work on Seinfeld, and promptly draw the wrong conclusion. Which could lead to more needless friction and hard feelings between groups -- or at any rate, it wouldn't help matters any.

[Behind the Aegis]

26. What?

Why did you question the ADL's statement on Richard's diatribe?

[NorthernSpy]

27. my previous posts in this thread explain my concerns...

Mind you, if people were under the mistaken impression that Richards is Jewish, that's not only the result of a false inference from the characters he's played and the ADL statement; it seems that Richards has been deliberately promoting that particular false impression himself.

[KamaAina]

28. Have you ever seen Richards and George Macaca Allen

in the same place at the same time?

Well, have you? :tinfoilhat: