(71) Anonymous , December 31, 2007

Funny Sketch and Yes Wagner was an anti-semite

Not only was Wagner an anti-semite, without question, his music is not worth a penny compared to Mozart or Beethoven's. If you're going to see Opera, go see Don Giovanni, avoid the 4 hour bore that is every Wagnerian opera that only really exists because of aristocracy and the rare, very rare notes from HaShem that graced his music. Very rare. Go see Don Giovanni, where every note rings of HaShem or Le Nozze di Figaro, etc... etc....

(70) Rosen , December 30, 2007

irreverence

In America, comedians tend to make fun of everyone, including their own, which is part of free speech, whether it be Larry David or Sara Silverman. For me, I tend to joke that while Gentiles split a pig at a bbq, Jews split a pig at the bank with their piggy bank change. Does that make me a self-loathing Jew? I would hope not since I do embrace my overall Jewish heritage. In retrospect, it's like the notion of whether all or most Jews are funny. The rule of thumb is to experience one's character as opposed to categorizing and stereotyping.

(69) Yehudit , November 30, 2007

Trying to avoid persecution via assimilation......

I don't know if whistlig Wagner is the litmus test for self loathing for one's Judaism, but, I think, if a Jew feels more at home at a Christian wedding, singing Christmas carols and is adamant in telling all his associates that he is "not a practicing Jew" (what does that mean anyway) and he feels lost and uncomfortable at a Passover seder, I think he unfortunately has never bothered to learn the beautiful truths of our own religion. Many parents have dropped the ball in this area. Show them by doing, how a Jewish life is the best way to live-everyday!

(68) ML , October 29, 2007

Take Your Pick

I think that if someone feels that they shouldn't buy "german", they should also include every nation that tried to wipe out the jews. Is it ok to love italian music or greek art, they tried to kill us too. We, as a Jewish Nation, should get our priorities straight and not bicker over trivialities. We fight (and hate) too much with each other that we blind ourselves to what is truly important; love for Hashem, the Torah and each other.

(67) marilyn ash samet , August 26, 2007

this seems to be a generational question

I am not loud about being jewish, but I refuse to drive a german built car or praise german seeded arts or sciences. I am an ashkenazi jew..born in Chicago..but forever mourning the love of my life, buried in England with german ammo in his chest!

(66) Timothy , July 16, 2007

self-hating Jews

I have been to the D.C. Holocaust museum, as well as Yad Vashem, auschwitz, and dachau. I'm well aware of the history behind the Holocaust and the many companies that contributed in the attempt to wipe our name off the planet. As well as the many nations and peoples that have tried since our existence. Yet i do drive a Ford, and have made wonderful friends with some Germans( mostly Jews but a few gentiles mixed in there).
As far as the clip, a Jew, self-loathing or not should know better than to whistle a Wagner song in LA. That would be like me cranking Sweet Home Alabama while driving through West St. Louis. Just not a respectable thing to do.

(65) Hayyim , July 6, 2007

eeny meany

In this clip, the dramatic display of Jewish self-hatred comes from Man #2, who without provocation launches a nasty public attack, impugning the motives and psychological health of someone he has never met. The only thing he knows about his victim is that he is a fellow Jew, and that is enough to trigger his arrogant loathing, releasing an unrestrained barrage of cruelty and humiliation.
In my experience, the most common form of Jewish self-hatred is the vituperatively hurled accusation of Jewish self-hatred.

(64) Tim Collier , July 2, 2007

Wagner, Mercedes etc

And, yes, I am Jewish...everybody thinks Jews should have names like Moshe Aaronstein or some such. Personally, I won't listen to or purchase anything by Wagner. Of course, if I should "happen" to hear 'Ride of the Valkyries', I don't switch it off. Wagner was a vocal Anti-Semite and Hitler did use his music as 'inspiration' in the camps. But we have to keep to our principles, especially in these days of Holocaust denyers (sp). Mercedes--I don't know, they make really nice cars--personally I drive Nissan, so I guess it comes down to the question of how close the Germans and Japanese were?
I don't know. We just have to get though life the best we can and try to stick to our principles as best we can. God knows what's in our heart.

(63) Ruth , June 13, 2007

Wagner is Verboten

I am a Jewish piano teacher who will not teach the music of Wagner. I took my students to the Detroit Symphony and discovered Wagner on the second part of the program. "We will leave after the first half," I said. "No!" my student shouted. "We will wait and when they begin, we will all walk out on Wagner." How proud I was especially since more than half of my students were not Jewish and were Afro-American."We walked out on Wagner!

(62) Aryeh Jacobson , May 4, 2007

No to the question

To me, a self-hating Jew is a person who is ashamed to be a Jew, has no pride in his/her Jewishness and will go to any and all lengths to compensate for his lack of faith by his/her nagative speech and action against G-d, Israel other Jews.
Their thoughts, words and actions are seen and copied by non-Jews and are a Chillel Hashem. Buying German goods in no way makes a person a self-hating Jew.

(61) fred , April 17, 2007

There are worse things

Israel is opressing Isreali Jews at America's behest, allowing murder, theft, and destruction of communities while ruthlessly supressing self-defense. Jews in America are bending over backwards to protect Moslem's rights while they are themselves being slowly stripped of freedom and national pride. I'll worry about Wagner later.

(60) gila hirsh , April 11, 2007

we need to define ourselves by what we are, not by what we are not

In China and in America we are disappearing because life is too good and too easy. Without suffering and being shunned we seem unable to hold the torch aloft amidst the nations of the others. why? does Gd want this so that we sow generations of 'sleepers'? will these people suddenly 'wake up' and create a huge reservoir of Jewish converts born of non-Jewish mothers? Somehow I doubt it. At best we will have people who are well informed about Judaism. We can use German-made goods and sanctify them. This is not the essence of Who We Are.

(59) Anonymous , April 9, 2007

"Yeah exactly"........

"just because the Benz family built the ovens for the crematoriums doesn't mean we should all just use microwaves".......

(58) Irwin Berkowitz , April 2, 2007

Self-Hating Jew?

I live in Germany by choice, have never been so happy, and never felt more Jewish in my life. Although I am not orthodox by any stretch of the imagination, the mere fact that I proclaim my Judaism without shame or fear is my testament to our continued existence in this world.

(57) Anonymous , March 26, 2007

saddened

Uhmmmm... Lashon Hara anyone?
This is a bit rediculous. I wouldn't say that you can make a snap judgement due to humming or whistling a song like that. Sometimes things get stuck in your mind and you don't even realize what you hum until someone brings it to your attention.

I would say a self hating Jew is a person who leaves the faith, assimilates and then is 'hell bent' on doing anything to destroy all things religious, especially Judaism... up to and including attempts to harrass, harangue and otherwise terrorize our people.

there are plenty of us living in Germany that are not self-hating, just as there are within every other country HaShem has led us to and is leading us from.

Just some thoughts.

I usually love what you guys put on here, but this definitely raised my blood pressure and wasn't appreciated.

(56) Anonymous , March 26, 2007

Isn't this a tad petty? Maybe the man was ignorant and didn't realise that this music was played at coceentration camps. What about computers and the history of IBM supporting the Nazis? Should we all get off of our computers now? Computers can be used for bad like in those days or for good as in these Jewish lessons being allowed to enter into our worlds wherever we are scattered on the internet and touch us for the better. If Hitler loved chocolate, would you stop eating it? I think one must think and be sensitive, but not petty with our fellow Jewish brothers and sisters.

(55) irene Brandt , March 25, 2007

My opinion of Aish

I have loved and enjoyed every single thing on the website you send me. It's perfect,knowledge and entertainment.

(54) Anonymous , March 25, 2007

Bad cars to drive

The greatest sin of driving a German car is that the fuel supports the economies of regimes bent on our destruction.

Perhaps any criticism directed towards Mercedes owners might be better directed towards those driving Hummers, Navigators, Yukons, Sequoias, Expeditions, and similar gas guzzlers.

(53) Anonymous , March 23, 2007

Tammy

Tammy, what are you talking about?!Are you saying we should forgive and forget?If you are, then maybe you should forgive and forget every atrocity and live in a cocoon-devoid of responsibility to yourself and Bnai Yisroel- I personally think it is a sin to forgive and forget those who choose to destroy our people. That is exactly like saying we should forget Amolek too. How sad that tragedies are "forgiven and forgotten" and maybe this is the biggest tragedy of the Jewish people.

(52) Devra , March 23, 2007

To nosh or gnash

Stuff a bagel in it, and shut up both of you! that's what I would tel them.

(51) Anonymous , March 22, 2007

Not Self-loathing, but careless and harmful

I think these behaviors represent a great denial and a little bit of the Golden Calf Syndrome. It is the beginning of forgetting. When one forgets, one's guard it gone. Bullies strike when their victim forgets, and are defenseless. When Jews no longer have rabid enemies, then we can forget!

(50) Barry , March 22, 2007

Maybe Yes - Maybe No

I think it depends on the intent behind these actions.
Personally, I avoid Wagner.

(49) Bobbie Goldman , March 22, 2007

I agree with the little guy and wonder why he wasn't wearing a yarmulke.

The little guy was right. Larry David, as funny as he is, is not a model Yid. He is not a light unto any nation with his self-hating or just ignorant portrayals. B.Goldman

(48) Tammy Fesspoint , March 22, 2007

self-hating jews:

Are people who say their jewishness does not make them jewish, who convert to other religions or take a supposedly neutral stance religiously and then join anti-semitic or borderline groups....one is not an anti-semit for driving a mercedes or eating sauerkraut! One is not a self-hating Jew for speaking German. What, are we never going to forgive and forget. Puh-lease!

(47) Milton Franks-Lhermann , March 22, 2007

It ain't necessarily so.

A Jew with a VW is not a self-hating Jew. He IS if he regrets being born that way, avoids contact with Jews, feels that Jews have too much influence in the legislatures, communications media, etc., thinks that Israel should be destroyed, and other SIGNIFICANT personal characteristics. Eating Austrian pastry isn't healthy but isn't a sign of self-hatred.
Milton F-L., Petach Tikva, Israel.

(46) miriam , March 21, 2007

Buying a German product or singing a Nazi song does not make someone a self-hating Jew it merely makes someone insensitive.

(45) Anonymous , March 21, 2007

david

David,if you think Jews should forgive that atrocity, I have to wonder about where you are coming from. I believe it is up to Gd to do any forgiving and I daresay the Heavens would have a hard time. Could someone tell me what the Orthodox view is on this- meaning is there any halachah or direction-not the individual take.Personally I could never ever forgive something like that just like I could never forgive a murderer of any innocent person.It seems like some insanity to forgive-as if people are in such denial,they live in another reality. What do the rest of you think?

(44) esther , March 21, 2007

Joanne

i totally agree with you.Of course people write to not judge others-gee, I wonder why.People should judge themselves and their conscience.The difficulty comes when we prefer to do what is most convenient and we"can't be bothered"to take a stand of any sort.We need to be better,prove this and prove that- Nooooo.I don't have to do anything except to say in every way possible to the souls who never had a chance"I will remember you and I will reject the very things that helped destroy you".Of course the little skit was absurd- but the message is loud and clear.Joanne, you rock.

(43) Andy , March 21, 2007

Wagner' s music great and Larry David's commedy good Mendcy Stern Right on the money

As I believe was stated by Rabbi Noach Weinberg and echoed by Mendy Stern. "Ignorance is the culprit in most forms of prejudice including self hating Jews.
One can be a great athlete, painter, writer, professor, musician etc and be a very wicked person. That does not taint the home run, painting; composition etc. A person can appreciate the music, art, and technical achievement etc of an enemy without being self hating. I am a proud Jew who also appreciates the skill, discipline, and efficiency of the German army during World War 2. In battle would I have tried to kill every last one of them given the oppt'y? You bet.

(42) Nancy (Spiegel)Valla , March 21, 2007

Where's your sense of humor?

One must have a sense of humor in order to survive this chaotic world. I end each day by watching "Curb Your Enthusiasm" from 11-11:30 P.M. rather than the depressing news. Going to sleep with a smile on my face sure beats a tear running down it.

(41) John Robertson , March 21, 2007

pathetic

My son loves this fellow, where as I as a B`nai Noach and of course a Gentile, dispise such a in your face foul mouthed anti semite who gives Jew hating creeps fodder to feed on .He spits on the grave of his ancestors .

(40) dave london , March 21, 2007

how we should behave

After much thought, based on my uncle, who is always very critical of the behavor of our landsman, I've concluded that the real motovation behind our self hatred is in fact a subconscience knowledge we as Jews know how we ought to behave.

(39) DAVID , March 20, 2007

take the risk?

there are a lot of anti semite campaigns that try to persuade people from no buying jewish stuff.

We can not be like them, we have to prove we are forgiving people, and keep no hatred against no one, or nothing. That would be like denying the perfect will of G-d

(38) JOANNE , March 20, 2007

THEY FAIL TO REMEMBER WHERE THEY CAME FROM.

MANY JEWS ACT LIFE LIFE IS A POPULARITY CONTEST AND THAT IF WE PRETEND TO BE LIKE THOSE WHO HAVE AND CONTINUE TO OPPRESS US, WE WILL BE ACCEPTED AND THEY WILL BE FORGIVEN BY JEWS FOR THEIR SINS, THEIR PREDUDICE AND BLIND AND UNENDING ANTI-SEMITISM.
WHAT MAKES US SELF-HATING JEWS IS OUR FANATIC AND NEUROTIC NEED TO BLEND IN - TO BE "LIKE EVERYONE ELSE", TO BE LIKED. IT IS A CHILDISH AND DANGEROUS QUEST. HISTORY REMINDS US OF WHO WE ARE AND IF WE FORGET, IT WILL REMIND US AGAIN.LISTENING TO WAGNER, BUYING A MERCEDES, VISITING GERMANY ARE ACTS THAT SEEM TO FORGET WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO JEWS AND AT WHOSE HANDS. LEST WE FORGET AND BECOME DISLOYAL TO THE MEMORY OF MURDERED JEWS EVERYWHERE AND BEGIN TO FEEL COMPLACENT AND SAFE BECAUSE WE "FIT IN", WE WILL NEED TO LEARN OUR LESSON AGAIN, THE HARD WAY.

(37) Dvirah , March 20, 2007

Why not just boycott everything?

If we were to boycott products from peoples/countries that were at any time bad to the Jews (if not quite on Germany's scale), what could we buy? Self-hating behavior is more than just commodities. And I agree with those who point to the preponderance of Volkswaggons in Israel as a Jewish victory over Hitler: his despised people are enjoying his product while he molders in a dishonored grave.
That said, I also agree that each individual must decide for him/herself where to "draw the line" regarding products that could symbolize anti-semitism. Let's not be quick to judge each other.

(36) David Koerner , March 20, 2007

Missing the point

I think that the person who produced this piece would answer 'no, listening to Wagner etc does not make you a self-hating Jew', but he really seeks to deride those who are of the other opinion. The short fellow comes off as a raving loon, the tall fellow a 'man of culture', and that seems to be the agenda of this vignette.

(35) chana , March 20, 2007

Maybe not self-hating

I have no desire to hear Wagner's music, own a VW, Ford, or Mercedes. To visit Germany would be to visit the Holocaust memorials and Jewish communities. I am not a self-hating Jew, but I think about the history behind all of these and the innocent victims. Maybe those who own Mercedes and such, are not "self-hating," but feel the victors of a war that was won--I don't know.

(34) Anonymous , March 20, 2007

Canada and the USA turned away the St. Louis. The allies knew by 1942 that the trains were carrying Jews to certain death, and did nothing to destroy the tracks or the camps. we were ALL at fault for what happened in the second world war. Germany for killing Jews, and the rest of the world not caring about it. So should a Jew, or Noahide, boycott everything produced by a company that exsisted during WW2? that being said, I personally can't bring myself to buy a German made car now. and if i could afford to get rid of my Ford, i would do it. i think each person needs to make a choice, and consult a rabbi if needed. but as far as self-loathing? i think a Jew who doesn't learn about their traditions and role in the world shows more self loathing than one who drives a Beemer.

(33) Anonymous , March 19, 2007

rationalize

i like the way people try and rationalize what they do or think is ok since"others were just as bad if not worse".well lets be honest about the "Final Solution"and exactly who engaged a fullscale systematic war against the Jews. Bingo!Of course klots of countries participate and were brutal but whose plan did they follow after occupation. Stop trying to convince yourselves and rationalyze what you do. Be honest and say it no longer matters.Give us a straight line.

(32) Anonymous , March 19, 2007

The Polish were much worse than the Germans sometimes, and so too the Hungarians, and so on. The Japanese and Italians were also fighting with the Germans, and helping them in their Final Solution, and so many Jews drive Japanese cars: Honda and Toyota, and wear Italian clothes. The truth is that in our long history, not a nation has just let us be, except for USA the Medina of Chesed. So, maybe you're a self-hating Jew by using anything made by any country that once opressed the Jews?

(31) June , March 19, 2007

I have vowed never to buy a German car or spend money in Germany. But I loved Wagner's Ring Cycle before I converted, and still love the music - but not the man of course. So I'm not a self-loathing Jew - far from it. But when I see other Jews driving Mercedes, VW, Audis, etc. I have to wonder what made them but that car....can they have forgiven and forgotten so quickly, even if it has been over 50 years since WW2 ended.

(30) Anonymous , March 19, 2007

sorry mendy

Sorry Mendy but I respectfully disagree with you. Driving what and strolling where DOES indeed matter no what what context it is in. Taking a stand makes a statement to oneself and others/indifference and non-chalance are not positions I expect out of us. Going into a car and paying money in a place that spit on us is another "oh well"statement. I thank the person who wrote about Vienna.A great point!

(29) Vivian , March 19, 2007

When I was a young child, we were vacationing in upstate NY and met an elderly couple, holocaust survivors, who were both originally from Vienna. My father was born in 1947 and grew up in Vienna, so they immediately connected as "landsleit". However when the gentleman learned that my grandparents were still living in Vienna, and walking on that blood-soaked soil, and supporting, by their presence, the economy of a people who had forced him to clean the streets with a toothbrush....he became so agitated, he closely resembled the antagonist in this video clip....

I remember my father telling us children "his pain is one you can never fully understand". The lesson has stayed with me.

So no, I wouldn't drive a Mercedes if I could afford it, and I chose a swedish Magic Mill over the German Bosch in my kitchen.

(28) Mendy Ha'levi Stern , March 19, 2007

You posed a good question what makes a self hating Jew. you should have left it at that...

Driving a car or visiting a place doesn't make you anything other then a person who drives or travels...

in my opinion a self hating Jew is someone who doesn't know enough about Judaism to be proud of it. ignorance is the culprit in most forms of prejudice including self hating Jews.

Menachem Mendel Mendy Mark Stern

(27) esther guttman , March 19, 2007

jeremy

yesJeremy- I too wonder how these people do it. Oh it's just a car.Oh it's just music. the "Ohs" go on and on and I don't give a hoot what defines a self-hating Jew.That is irrelevant to me. It just seems so far removed from peoples' existence and since it didn't effect them, etc etc,we can just move on.I just cannot fathom how much enjoyment people get from visiting that"beautiful"country. I refuse step into that hell.Yes it is a conscious decision just as I would never buy a German car.

(26) ben mizrachi , March 19, 2007

no

music, cars,travel, in my oponion doesnt make a self hating jew. the lack of knowledge of being jewish and having an idenity of being a jew will do that. thank g-d for chabad and reaching out to jews who are in search of some idenity. knowledge is power and that will keep our people alive until mosciach arives to fix all this hate that exist around us.

(25) Jeremy Suchall , March 19, 2007

How Soon We Forget

This is not a question which can be answered so quickly when it comes to Jews, since every thought, word spoken
and action has a profound effect in our world.

On the surface, these acts do not necessarily mean a person is a self hating Jew. A better question would be.
How can we be so unfeeling/unaffected to the millions who went through hell by listening to, driving that, or spending
money on ANYTHING, which has ANY association with the holocaust, or to those countries today which would like
nothing more than to finish the job?
How soon we forget!

(24) martha , March 19, 2007

Lack of understanding is the key

Personally I would not listen to Wagner, but I have visited Germany. I wanted to understand the country better and after visiting various spots including Dachau and the Bürgerbräu Keller (meeting place of Hitler) I feel as though I do.
A self-hating Jew, for me anyway, would be a person that does not have pride in their heritage. It would be a person that has not taken the time to understand the great people and rich history that made them who they are today. Knowledge is the key, for how can you hate what you are if you understand what that means? I am proud to be a Jew and always will be.

(23) Anonymous , March 18, 2007

the south

our family would often go to MS bec it is so close to where we live. So often in Biloxi,people would protest in favor of having the Rebel flag raised since it so historical and so important to people in the S. Yet many cars would pass and African Americans would shout at them.Why? Bec it was a symbol of their pain and suffering and it was only then that I realized it isn't just a flag and Southern pride.It respesented slavery and torture.It had no place there anymore.You will not see a black man say it's fine now-all is forgotten and let us move on. What is the difference, people? There were little children in those cars watching as their parents screamed and yelled- it is 60 years now,Miss,so a nice little walk is ok in the lovely streets of Germany- am I supposed to admire your spirit here?

(22) Benjamin , March 18, 2007

Genius

Larry David for President. I hate people who accuse others of being "self-hating." I thought we weren't supposed to judge others. Yup. We're just like everyone else.

(21) Anonymous , March 18, 2007

how do you do it

I read some other comments and I cannot help but wonder how one just strolls the lovely towns in Germany;why not buy the German car bec after all no other would do and hey,if it's ok with Israel, then it's certainly ok with us....uh huh.I only want to know how all these people do it? How do they just go into Germany and enjoy the cursed earth when you can almost hear the brownshirts marching and the deafening howls of the mad crowd?How do you step into a car that is basically symbolic of such barbarism and against your own people-the club that you belong to? How removed one must be-how easy it must get with time.....

(20) Anonymous , March 18, 2007

self-hate

some people go out of their way to show that they are not restricted emotionally,artistically,culturally,etc to one group.They try and show everyone that "art"is something they can appreciate and separate it from the artist or its particular use.Jews are notorious for being"above it all"bec the fact is the bemoan their birth within the Jewish nation.They want to be 9so badly)a part of the dominant culture that anything goes.Woody Allen to me is the biggest one to date and he is a mess.Anyone who cannot be comfortable with who he is and what he is,is basically so insecure that the name must be changed and the nose altered.I feel pity for these pathetic souls.

(19) Anonymous , March 18, 2007

I am a jewish doctor in Punta-Arenas-Chile

I would love to receive more of this

(18) Roy Edenson , March 18, 2007

How is it that this Jew critic is so familiar with Wagner's music that he could pick it out in a crowded hall and simultaneously accuse a stranger of "being" Jewish when he doesn't even get an answer to his first question from the whistler? They guy might just be a Lutheran. Doesn't matter... but what is evident is that the short guy seems to be spending a lot of effort and hatred trolling for self loathing Jews and making that public declaration as if that will change the facts of the shoah. This guy needs to direct his anger to more constructive results instead of adding another possible Jew to the growing list of people who would rather see this guy locked up.

I do not buy Mercedes or Fords as my way of protesting participation but am reluctant to judge the acts of others or insist that they conform to my ethics in that regard. It can certainly be said that builders of today's cars were not the same people as those who killed the Jews in WWII but if Wagner wrote a piece of music that provided listening pleasure to me even though I knew who wrote it and their history in that regard, that would be a personal choice in which I have no freelance right to protest. I have enough in my life to judge my own values and those of my family.

(17) Priscilla Schneider , March 18, 2007

I visit Germany because my relatives live there, 2nd Generation offspring of Holocaust survivors like myself. I have always enjoyed visiting Germany and have often walked in areas, such as Munich, Cologne, Bonn, and smaller, beautiful towns and thought that over 60 years ago there were people like myself walking around here just like I am. I have had that same thought everywhere in Europe. Also, my mother has nothing against Germans. It was a German soldier who saved her life. Her hatred is aimed towards Poland and the Hungarians. As for driving a Mercedes, I never have. But my cousins in Israel unapologetically drive Volkswagons. As for Wagner, I have difficulty separating the music from the man, which has always ruined "2001: A SPACE ODDYSSEY" for me. So does it make you a self-hating Jew? I don't think so. If my mother and cousins can except German goods and live in Germany, who am I, who neither lived through the Holocaust or live in Israel, Germany or Europe, have any right to argue with them.

(16) David Honick , March 18, 2007

This is a most complicated question.

On the one hand, Wagner's music is wonderfully impressive, the Mercedes and the VW are good cars, and Germany is a beautiful country (I was there as a soldier, during WW II). On the other hand, we are bidden by the Torah to "remember Amalek." I'll be interested to read what others say.

(15) Beverly Kurtin, Ph.D. , March 18, 2007

Take a Gentile to Shul

Nu, so you want to know what makes a self-hating Jew? Go read one of this week’s lead articles, “Hostile to Israel.â€NSM_BADCHAR=<0x9d> The self-loathing Jews in that article are the archetypical definition of self-haters. Unfortunately, they also make others hate them: the very ones whom they are trying to be! They should grow like radishes…

When asked “are you a Jew,â€NSM_BADCHAR=<0x9d> I instantly and proudly answer “Yes.â€NSM_BADCHAR=<0x9d> One who hems and haws about answering that question is a self-hating Jew or a coward who doesn’t know why the question was asked.

Does visiting Germany make one a self-hater? No. Whistling Wagner, that’s patently absurd. Buying a Mercedes? What makes buying a Ford any different? After all, Henry Ford was a rabid Jew-hater. He even had the disgusting “Protocolsâ€NSM_BADCHAR=<0x9d> published in English and was handed to each of his employees, among others. He had a sign on his front door saying “No Jews Accepted.â€NSM_BADCHAR=<0x9d> So is buying a Ford the symbol of a self-hating Jew?

When you stop to think of it, the entire world hates Jews whether they admit it or not. They don’t know why. But scratch the average non-Jew and you’ll find a Jew-hater. No, I’m not being paranoid, I’m being practical. I have more non-Jewish friends than Jewish friends. But until they met me and understood me, they didn’t like Jews. They, like everyone else, are suspicious of what they don’t know.

I’ve schlepped some of my friends to shul. They were astonished to discover that most of our Siddur is from the Tenach. Some of us even still say Thee and Thou in the English sections. They need to be educated in order for them to lose their fear and their hatred of the unknown.

Sometimes I think we need to have one Shabbat dedicated to “Bring a Gentile to Shulâ€NSM_BADCHAR=<0x9d> Shabbat. I’ve a feeling we could change the world more in one weekend than we have been able to do so over the past several millennia. I’m sorry, Orthodox friends, but maybe take them to a Conservative or Reformed shul where at least part of the service is in English.

I loath Wagner as a human being, but his music? Who was the One who inspired him to write such impassioned music; Who is the One who gives talents to people?

The individual in the clip is a self-hating Jew because he did not answer that he was. In fact, he didn’t give any kind of an answer. But the moron who shouted at him is a nut! That is humor? Give me a break!

As for this Jew, I don’t hate myself nor other Jews. I don’t hate Gentiles. Heck, I don’t even hate most Arabs, in fact, even some of my best friends…

(14) Mitch , March 18, 2007

Build Bridges

Does it help bring peace to the world to start yelling at someone for whistling a tune originally composed by Wagner? Does it feed the hungry or shelter the homeless to berate a stranger in public in the manner shown in that video?

(13) alfonso portugal , March 18, 2007

self hating jew??

It has nothing to do with Wagner or a Mercedes,in fact, Germany now is Israel's main commercial partner in Europe. I think it's more important for us Jews, to study Torah, to be closer to G-d, and follow the real commandments. That will make us stronger, as a Jews we need to focus more on these important things, rather than names, brands or music from anti-semitics.
Hag Sameah veKasher leKulkhem
A Portugal

(12) Irwin Isaacs , March 18, 2007

Maybe, but not necessarily

Listening to Wagner, or buying a Mercedes is not necessarily a sign of Jewish self hate; but once one knows the history of the nazi regime it is a different story. Peesonally, I find it impossible to purchase a German car, or even to travel to Germany. I feel this way because I belieive there is still a connection between modern Germans and their nazi history. Just look at how modern Germany has embraced the Islamic, Jew hating immigration into their nation.

(11) tino , March 18, 2007

what the?

well, all I can say is, No I don't and even if given one would ever drive a mercedes.But I do have a freind who is german and am always made to feel welcome in his home.

(10) Liz , March 18, 2007

Where does it stop?

You could boycott Mercedes, Volkswagon and Wagner, but what about all the other products/ people's work Hitler enjoyed in his life or other German exports? Did you know for example that one of the main companies involved in the invention and production of gas chamber technology was Siemens? How many Jews own Siemens products? Would you like to bin your Siemens mobile now you know that? How much research should you do into Nazi-endorsed companies? Where do you draw the line?

(9) Suzy , March 18, 2007

Any Jew that drives a Mercedes, listens to Wagner, and travels to Germany should be ashamed of themselves...my,my, how we forget. Anti-Semitism has always been in the front row seat of the Germans, we lost 1.5 million children that could have contributed to the world, the Nazi's drove the Mercedes, because it was a car of dignity...remember, it could happen again

(8) David S. Levine , March 18, 2007

It Sometimes Does

I travel to Germany and visit Jewish places of history and worship there. I speak to Germans in German about being Jewish, so being a traveler does not make me a self hater. But when you consider Larry David's politics and cultural values as a whole package the answer must be YES, in HIS case. He supports left wing candidates for public office knowing, as he must, that leftists agree with the Iranian wish to wipe Israel off the map--just look at the way leftists in Congress are attempting to protect Iran from sanctions and military action. That's just one example of his total disregard for the interests of the Jewish People that is typical of today's leftists, particularly in Hollywood.

(7) David S. Levine , March 18, 2007

It Sometimes Does

I travel to Germany and visit Jewish places of history and worship there. I speak to Germans in German about being Jewish, so being a traveler does not make me a self hater. But when you consider Larry David's politics and cultural values as a whole package the answer must be YES, in HIS case. He supports left wing candidates for public office knowing, as he must, that leftists agree with the Iranian wish to wipe Israel off the map--just look at the way leftists in Congress are attempting to protect Iran from sanctions and military action. That's just one example of his total disregard for the interests of the Jewish People that is typical of today's leftists, particularly in Hollywood.

(6) Alex Benchetrit , March 18, 2007

RE: Driving German cars

I TOTALLY agree with you Evan.I like the angle you see this matter..I have myself always driven German cars.Israel has all types of German cars.And indeed it has saved thousands of Jewish lives in the past 62 years..Let's not forget that there is bearly 14 million Jews in this world..(most people are not aware of that)Antisemitism = Jealousy.

(5) Rowna Sutin , March 18, 2007

Wagner - some thoughts

First of all, Wagner wasn't around to offer his music up to Hitler and the 3rd Reich. Secondly, Wagner himself was not certain of his family origins - he actually thought he might be Jewish. Third, at this time, many prominent Jews thought it was the "in" thing to do, to convert to Christianity and give up their religion. Among the prominent composers were Mendelssohn, Mahler and Schoenberg. Later in life, Shoenberg wanted to have a "reconversion" to Judaism. Wagner's written missives showing intense anti-semitism is well documented. But we cannot condemn him as we do Hitler. Who knows what his stance would have been had he known of the horros of the Hitler regime.

(4) Joey , March 18, 2007

Hard to say

Anti-Semitism cannot be taken too far---if one really thinks about it, anti-Semitism has, sadly, been a factor for pretty much the whole of human history. One could argue, for example, that Shakespeare should be boycotted, since he did make "liver of blaspheming Jew" one of the witches' ingredients in "Macbeth." As for Wagner...that maybe isn't a good idea. It's all hard to say.

Ultimately, though, it depends on a person's motivation---are they listening to Wagner because they thought he was such a nice guy, or just because he wrote a pretty good opera? As for German cars---I mean, the government there isn't Nazi anymore, so I'd say no, that's fine.

God bless.

(3) Evan , March 18, 2007

Drivinig German Cars

I think every Jew should own a German car. German cars are some of the safest, if not thee safest, cars on the road. Hitler would be spinning in his grave if he knew that German engineers were working their hardest to secure and save the lives of Jews in auto accidents ever day. Over the past 30 years thousands of Jewish lives would have been saved if they had been driving German cars. Therefore, out of spite, every Jew should own a German car.

(2) Milton J. Isman , March 18, 2007

A self hating Jew is one who denies his heritage or is ashamed of being a Jew. Traveling to Germany, driving a Mercedes or listening to Wagner is not being a self-hating Jew.

Our entire history is replete with Anti-semitism from all peoples in the world.

Therefore, we should boycott Spain, Holland, England, The Vatican ............

WE SHOULD ALWAYS REMEMBER...NEVER FORGET... but continue to talk and be friendly!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(1) Sarah , March 18, 2007

Difficult question...

This is a difficult question full of controversy. Should we punish the work of artists because an evil person liked his work? I do not know the answer to that. Just in principal, I would not listen to Wagner because of the negative memories it brings to so many Jews.

A couple of years ago I sat in a committee for a Chinese art exhibit at a major museum—the curator wanted to display art works from the Mao period. The works of art depicted the atrocities committed by the government during that time. There were many Chinese people in the committee most of them in their 50's—they were appalled at the choice of art and artists chosen by the curator. The curator was furious because she exclaimed "it's not art by committee"—in a museum the curator chooses the theme, artists and art and that is that. The discontent created was such the curator had no choice—she had to change the theme, art and artists. The committee's argument was very clear the type of art proposed by the curator would bring very negative memories to many people—what would be the purpose of the exhibit.

In reference to purchasing a Mercedes, I would not…and visiting Germany naaaah…I don't think so.