Jtube: South Park

This is a satirical show. It makes fun of stereotypes, and that, in a way, brings everyone closer together. It makes fun of something and in that way confrons the issue. I am a frum Jewish girl and I LOVE that show.

k ppl in my opinion yes that was a bit hurtfull cuz im a jew but if you ever watch the show then its funny ! also the last part when he was riding on kyle that was funny ! yes it was sad that he couldnt play on the teem but it was funny that we all thought it would be cuz he was short.

Explain to me why we are expected to have a sense of humor about stereotypes while no one else is. It seems that jews are the last ethnic group that can be mocked in the popular media without consequence.

I just read a great book called GI Jews which mentioned that young jewish men formed athletic clubs during the WWII era to in an attempt to dispell this particular stereotype. This sterotype kept many jewish men from serving their country as officers in that war. It's really not funny.

I'm not especially ticked off by this instance of joking anti-semitism or calling for a boycott of south park...I'm just saying this stuff is not really funny and people should point that out once in a while.

This type of joking anti-semitism is how hurtful sterotypes are perpetuated The public use of hurtful stereotypes is one way of de-humanizing a group and can (and has-see Nazi Germany) lead to physically and economically hurtful behavior.

As a general comment on this subject; I remember seeing from a Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe in his book on Jewish Education called Planting and Building; Raising a Jewish Child, that he writes about playing, and how children love to play. He writes that it is important to their education, and that one can teach many good lessons through play - such as sharing and caring that another should play - have the swings etc. The book is only about 60 pages and very to the point - very fundamental. It is published by Feldheim and can be purchased in Jewish bookstores or direct from the publisher at their name dot com.
I personally have read it, and appreciated it a lot. (in the words of a public speaker R' Pesach Krohn, 'There is a wonderful book that I cannot recommend enough - and I believe it is printed by Feldheim – Planting and building Raising a Jewish Child; there are so many fundamental principles from Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe [today – of blessed memory]. N

Of course not. Many Jewish people do not play on professional sports teams because most big games are on Shabbat. I myself and an Ephriamite (from northern tribes) and I too do not play on Shabbat, yet I am very good in basketball. Shalom

Oh well!!! Everything is relative, that little boy can play in another league more more to his level and excel and with the sprit of love for the game could even influence players from higher leagues in perserverance and sprit, we are all good. But, sometimes though a generation or two may (sometimes longer, okay often longer), be skipped within a family branch or ethnic class, when all hope is lost, then greatness strikes again. God is good to all!!!

There are also no outstanding Jewish domino players. Not sure yet what conclusion to draw from this. Mainly I would feel worse about the basketball situation if i didn't know the little boy could well grow up to own or be general manager of an NBA team

I don't really understand this. Apparently it is perhaps what R' Avigdor Hakohen Miller writes in his sefer Awake My Glory, that a Jew's self image can become deteriorated by negative influence from without.
In regards to this, I won't even start a discussion about the time a certain yeshiva played against the Knicks and the score was tied and at the last moment a yeshiva guys threw a full court buzzer shot. But that's perhaps beside the point. What brings me more to mind, is what a friend, who I should say is 'still' in public school had as an experience. He became captain of his high schools 9th grade football team. Then one day when they were doing running laps, the coach felt that he had not run enough or something in the allotted time, so he made him do a number of more laps. And here we are talking about a football field with all puns intended. He also yells at him that he is not being a good example for his team. (Not to mention that the boy was a little overweight and so it was nice enough that he could get such a position. He did it a lot to loose weight. The good thing was that he was coming to my house that day - Erev Shabbos - and was able to get some good rest over the weeks high time!!!
So, with a little more 'bounce', I will feel 'lighter'!!!

As a Welsh Protestant goy, one of the things that I admire most about the Jews is that they are utterly useless at sports. They are outstanding at most things - Nobel prizes, comedy, Israeli army,professional and commercial attainment - so why worry about something as trivial as basketball ? You have your priorities right. The proposition that Jews are not athletes can not be refuted by giving examples of individual Jews who are. Rather ask 'How many outstanding Jewish basket ball players are there in relation to population and in relation to the proportion of outstanding Jewish chess players'. Keep on losing at sport and winning at everything else
Gyda Dymuniadau Gorau am Flwyddyn Newydd

Jews CAN play basketball. Jordan Farmar backup point guard for the Los Angeles Lakers. Larry Brown was point guard on the 1964 Olympic Gold Medal team. Neil Walk was starting center for the Phoenix Suns. Abe Sapperstein would occasionally play with the Globetrotters when the last man on the bench would foul out. I could go on, but I won't

...Well, Kyle could use a few inches, I doubt all of us are bad atheletes!

We count with a great G-d we can do everything we want, I tell you from personal experience. I am latina and G-d showed me that I could speak any language if I believe, and I did I learned english better than a Kid from America, my pronunciation was excellent, but the key is to believe that you can do it. Alone we will never make it, but with HaShem we sure can.

Joyce Danelen at yahoo dot com

We need to face facts, anyone can play basketball. Even folks in wheelchairs have put together a league. It all depends on who you are competing against. In the world of pro basketball, you don't stand a chance if you are less then 6 feet tall. That's not a cut on short guys like me, it just so happens to be the truth. Occasionally you will see a short guy make it in the NBA, but only those that have incredible talent. Short Jews do not go into basketball(although they may own a basketball team). Short Jews become doctors, lawyers, accountants, business owners, artists, Rabbis, teachers, scientists, playrights, publishers and politicians. Even tall Jews don't play basketball because their mothers still want them to become doctors, lawyers, accountants(you get the picture). Infact it gets harder and harder for us short guys to get into the basketball bizz, because the players get alittle bigger every year. Its going to get to the point where you will have to have a genetic abmormality to be a pro basketball player. Thanks but no thanks, I'll stick with tennis and social work.

Jews can't play basketball? There are 2 orthodox Jewish high school in Los Angeles that have teams playing on the varsity level which make the state playoffs every year and usually make it past the 2nd or 3rd round! (with only 120 to 150 students in each school)

Here's another stereotype-Americans ignore history Ever hear of Dolph Scayes for starters. If someone was interested they could write a book on Jewish contributions to basketball and it would be longer than Allen Iversons arrest record. (at least at present!) Thank G-d there is little interest in doing so since we aspire to higher values.- You take Shaq, Ill take the Chofetz Chaim!!

Well... Let's not overdramatize here! First, on the clip they say "Jews can't play basketball", not "Jews are bad athletes".

In the clip, it seems obvious he couldn't compete with the rest. Clearly the coach wasn't being portrayed as unsympathetic ("you got great skills")- his saying "Jews can't play basketball" was out of ignorance (and, likely, experience with 7-ft-tall black kids!!).

But how about the lesson to be learned from his response to Cartman harrassing him (I'd be curious to know what happens after - or maybe not, since it IS South park after all!!) - how to fine-tune a flat and boring response to a bully in order to completely take the wind out of their sails (but without denigrating oneself). "That's no fun." Nope!

FYI, the shortest NBA player ever was... "Muggsy" Bogues, black, 5'3", played 14 years from 1987 to 2001!

(smirk)

i love south park, but the idea that jews can't play basketball is funny! Jews started the NBA. Jews are and were in all levels of the NBA. Most of the NBA players now are black ( most = more than 51%) The issue in't religion... it's size! A short Jew has about as much a chance in the NBA as a short christian

For a few years there was a group of Jewish singles that played basketball every Sunday night at 7:00 and there were 7 marriages that come out of that group. Most were people who went to different synogogues and might not have met otherwise.

BTW - At 5'0 and a slow runner, I am not built for this game. All I could think of was to distract the tall guys so they could not catch or run. I had been playing for about 5 weeks before one of the guys told me tickling was not a legal defense.

I just think this is wrong-sad. I don't think it matters who you are. Just depends on the person themself. Its just another way of picking on and making fun of Jews.
I apologize for the stupity of these people. Someone should. I'm not Jewish, I'm a Christian.

Its not that jews arn't made for for it. Its just tall guys are made for it. That kyle guy was just to short!!!

The Jewish people were not put on this earth to entertain the world with physical strength. Our mission is to bring morality and G-dliness into the world. The Tanya says that the Jewish soul is rooted in the brain. So...

I think that's why we have made all sorts of brainy inventions and institutions and even comedians. Not that there aren't exceptions to all of this (Sandy Kaufax, etc.)

list of Jewish baseball players: type in "Jewish Baseball Players" in yahoo's search engine and click the first link.

There are great Jewish Athletes

Great athletes tend to come from the disadvantaged socioeconomic classes, who, because of perceived or real limited opportunity, devote themselves to developing their athletic skills. When Jews found themselves in this circumstance in the first half of the 20th century, they produced many successful athletes in all the major sports. I own a multivolume encyclopedia titled “Great Jewish Athletesâ€NSM_BADCHAR=<0x9d>.

However the chances of becoming a professional athlete are very slim: the chance of becoming successful through academic achievement is very high. Thus it makes no economic sense to devote the time necessary to perfect ones athletic skills. Consequently, Jews, a tiny proportion of the population, no longer produce the numbers of prominent athletes that we did in the past.

IN THE 30’S AND 40’S Basketball was a city and Jewish game. NYU and CCNY dominated the NCAA’s. George Mikan was the first professional superstar. Barney Ross and Max Baer were boxing champion of the world. Sammy Baugh was the star quarterback in pro football. Hank Greenberg was the home run champion and would have beaten Ruth’s record of 60 HR’s, had he not been boycotted. And the undisputed best left handed pitcher in history is Sandy Koufax.

So yes, Jews can make great athletes.

Jordan Farmar of the Los Angeles Lakers is jewish. Farmar4MVP!

What about Kareem Abdul Jewbar?

The real question: should they waste their time playing sports? Keeping the vessel in shape is one thing, but too many people live for sports . . .

According to the wik...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Jewish_American_sportspeople#Basketball

My favorite athelete is Sasha Cohen, and I understand she is Jewish.

no jews can be great athleats that is just a tv show not like real life were jews are like anyone else and we can do whatever we want to do.

Well, to be honest, while Jews may not excel so much in the actual playing of basketball, we certainly have accomplished much in coaching, i.e., Red Auerbach, and, not to say the least, running the entire game, i.e., David Stern. So, the dictum is, while what we lack in stature, we make up for it in other ways.

Danny Schayes played in the NBA for 18 years, including some with the Denver Nuggets. His father, Dolph, was selected as one of the 50 greatest NBA players of all times. Dolph is active in the Syracuse Jewish community, and the JCC named their gym after him. Though almost 79 years old, he still looks like he can get out there and play!

The NBA listed one Jew, Dolph Schayes, in its list of the 50 greatest players of all time. His son, Danny, also went on to an NBA career and was a good solid player. (PS to Liz: The Towosn player is Tamir Goodman, not Tamar.)

southpark is amazing because it allows us to laugh at our differences instead of hating on them. what south park is doing is getting people off the defensive about everything all the time.

That is why so many kids prefer to watch tv; teachers should encourage every single kid to try hard and not do what this person did.

The world would be different if any kind of teacher or instructor were like God wants us to be.

What is the issue? Jews excel in many fields, including sports. It becomes news (and unique) when a Jew plays basketball, and balances a religious life - like Tamar Goodman.

Jimmy the Greek was kicked off CBS for expressing the obvious. Blacks who were captured and enslaved were selectively bred for characteristics which wound up favoring football/basketball ability.
While no racial/ethnic stereotype is 100% true, SouthPark is funny because it de-represses the truths suppressed by politically correct think-speech!

soo funny

mark spitz,al rosen,hank greenberg,sammy baugh,sandy koufax,
etc-etc

I THINK THAT YUOR RELIGION HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ATHLETIC ABILUITY IM NOT JEWISH AND I CANT PLAY ANY SPORTS IM VERY UN ATHLETIC

So what? How many places are there in the sports fields even for stars?

Look at how many Jews are outstanding in all the other fields. Nobel Prizes for instance. Compare to all the other populations.

Anyone who lets another's comments frame thier mind deserves to fail. God's word says NOT to let others intimidate you, so be the best that you can being jewish has nothing to do with it.(or basketball) God bless...

Take a look at the Israeli basketball players!

There are tall jews, short jews(more of those...I should know, there are practically no guys taller than me (5'10"),but whatever), fat Jews, skinny jews. It isn't really an accurate stereotype to say that Jews aren't athletic. I mean, my old school has always won in the private middle school sports "leagues" every year. However, seeing that a fair amount of Jewish males are rather short in basketball terms, it may be to their distinct disadvantage to be playing against 7 footers while only being 5'9".

This is only a current stereotype. Jews did play professional basketball during the 1920s to the 1950s.
www.jewishvirtuallibrary. org/jsource/US-Israel/Basketball_CityGame.html

Of course if a 4th grade Jewish kid tries to play hoop with the HS team it will look just like that.


I am 6ft 4 and never had any trouble playing basketball against anyone else.


You pretty much do have to be over 6ft to play against the best but after that it just depends on if you like to play and practice all the time like I have for over 40 years.

>:- )

(notice Kenny and Cartman didn't even think about playing)

I'm sorry, but I think there are much more important things to focus on that Jews excel at. Statistically, we are not a tall race, so I'm not insulted by this comment that Jews can't play basketball. However, I don't think it's totally true. I'm sure there are many examples of Jews who have excelled in athletics. It's just not top on my list of priorities. In fact, I'm wondering why I'm even spending time responding!!

The jews (we) are good players (the ones who are, I mean), but there are lots of boys out there in Yeshivot, who are pysically strong and fit for sports, but because they're in Yeshiva or because of the misgeret, they don't do gym and don't use any of thier pysical strength for even something that's called health!

Here is my soccer list:

- Hakoach Viena - Best austrian soccer team in the 20's.
- Johannes Krouyff (Holland) - World's best soccer player in 1974.
- Arthur Friedenreich (Brazil)- The only soccer player in history that scored more goals (1329) than Pelé.

Mark Spitz was and is certainly the best swimmer who ever live 8 Gold medal and 8 World record in an Olympic Game it is simply amazing...
Johnny Weismuller (you are remember Tarzan ?) was a exceptionnal swimmer and the first one to go under 1 minute for the 100 meters he blast the world record at the time...
Alain Nakache (another swimmer) a frenchman beat the world record of the 200 meters just before the second world war he saved french after their defeat honor in Marseille beating Germans swimmers and survive the death camp...
Tel Aviv is one of the best european basket ball team and they have a few European Cup and showing in final to prove it...

Come on! Comparing to our percent in population we make lots of famous sportsmen!!
Check out basketball history - there plenty famous Jewish players!

South Philadelphia Hebrew Association SPHAs (pronounced "spas"), dominated basketball in the 1920s and '30s and later became the 76'ers


Jews in Sports:

jewishsports.com/jewsinsports.htm

So what if Jews can't play hoop... is likely true (not in any statistic) that the Jew is not inculcated in the same way way for actually becoming a sports player professionally. We do other things. We are not as tall as other groups so we might not excel where height is a requirement. but my grandfather was a trophy winner of his time in handball...

That is a racist person speaking. That is a stereotype that Jews can't play basketball or any other sport.

If you check the long list of Jews who played major league baseball, you'll find that they rated higher than the average ball player. Even the fact that there were more Jews as major league baseball than there are Jews in the U.S. (Source: Jewish Major League Baseball players) As for other athletic endeavors, sorry, I have no sources to verify yea or nay.

How about Bill Goldberg? He played pro football for the LA Rams, Atlanta Falcons and then the Carolina Panthers. He retired from that and became a professional wrestler.

Goldberg! Goldberg! Goldberg!

At my children's school, which had an 8 hour day they only had PE twice a week. No athletes were going to come from this system. We forget that is we are in G-d's image than we need to encourage our kids to be physically fit, to treat our bodies well & with respect. Prayer alone will not do this, or make us athletes.

Think about all the pro athletes. Mo Burg, Shawn Green (plays for Mets right now and starts), but most of all THE Sandy Kofax. Also, most people in my friend and I's grade think we are the best athletes in the grade, and we were called the Jewish backfield on our football team. It doesn't matter what others think, just if we work as hard as we can we will win in every way

Shows like South Park and comedians have been doing stereotypes for ages. We all gotta laugh at our selves sometimes and if you can't do that then don't watch the shows and don't listen to the comedians. I love South Park, I think stereotypes are funny and sometimes true. I do realize that Jews can play sports, my grandparents gave me a whole book on Jewish athletes when I was younger, and I don't see this as anything but a joke. If you don't like it, as mentioned, don't watch it.

OK. I read the other comments and they missed the point. We are uniquely qualified to show others the way. Yes, we started the NBA, among our many accomplishments,but more importantly we showed the world monotheism. Let the nations measure themselves by their physical prowness. We are measured by our adherance to the Torah and the Mitzvot.
We are in a different ballgame, folks.

I think the clip was funny. Sure, Jews can play basketball, but I'm more like Kyle: The kind of Jew who wish I could, but has to realize that I'm just better at other things:) Not all Jewish people are short or even white, though, we got plenty of tall Jews, white and black. We come in all shapes and colors:) See ya

Question was at one time asked in baseball--and was answered well enough by Hank Greenberg and Sandy Koufax.

Sadness should be for the coach (or anyone else) who relies on sterotypes.

Kyle will be fine as long as he puts the same effort into everything else he does. Who knows, he may love the game so much he goes on to be another Red Auerbach.

I want to see the South Park segment where Kyle goes to Israel and plays in the Maccabiah Games...and wins!

Every single person in the world has a chance of whatever they want to do if they put their minds towards it. No matter what religion, race, gender, physical ability, mental ability, or any other so-called "stereotypes". This is just a cartoon!! People shouldn't take it so seriously. Unfortunatly in the society we live in today, people find racist, sexist, disabled, jokes funny. Take "yo-mama" for instance or Borat. The media just does it for publicity and popularity.

that is so not true. jews are amazing athletes. ever heard of the jewish jordan? how about dimitry-one of the best boxers, and yes he's jewish. in my school we have many talented basketball players and one of them has been excepted in to college basketball.

I played basketball at FK Lane H.S. in Brooklyn and then for four years in college. There were wonderful Jewish players throughout NYC. Actually, Yeshiva had a fine team with widely acclaimed coach Red Sarachick(sp?).

What we forget is that until World War 2, basketball in the US was generally thought of as a "Jewish" sport because so many of the top players were Jews.

So what? Why is basketball in the least important? Stopping polio, discoveringthe secrets of the universe, or making three points...!!?!! Stupid to be dragged down into the lesser.

Is riflery an olympic sport?
Mark Spitz was a pretty good swimmer.
Eckstein plays a mean game of baseball (yeah I know, but his name sounds Jewish).
We have some really good poker players.
Wanna play chess? Hah!

with so many nationalities in the usa actually who cares what you are when you play a sport. the only thing that matters is, can you play. however, dont sweat the funnies, back in the old days, every one was ripped on..actually ..funny has to have someone to rip on..so rip on me..I actually cant play basketball..just like bowling..I have a high handicap..oh well, and Im not jewish..

In my HS, we went to the state finals, didnt win, but I was the schools MVP, and Jewish, and I'm 5'8" as well! Jews Rock!

Dolph Schayes, Sandy Koufax, Shawn Green, Hank Greenberg, Barney Ross, Mark Spitz etc., etc. were all among the best ever at their sports. Was there ever a better baseball pitcher than Koufax in his prime??

Well, God promised that we will be blessed in everything we put our hands to.
Deut 28:8 The LORD will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to.

So, technically, if you're jew and a bad athelete... there is something wrong in your relationship to God ;-)

This is only the cartoon version of a stereotype that I've seen on TV for years. But it's more than basketball - there isn't a single positive Jewish role model on television. I can't tell you how many shows feature mixed marriages in which the Jewish partner's father, in stark contrast to reality, is not only absentee but a comn man to booet. Other minorities bemoan their lack of exposure and complain that "Jews dominate Hollywood", but they fail to realize how completely alienated these Hollywood Jews are and how eager they are to justify their defection.

Nonsense! Jews are not physically or mentally inferior. Why, therefore, shouldn't they be skilled athletes? My father was a Golden Gloves boxing champion and won the world's light-heavyweight wrestling championship in 1938. My son is a pitcher with Israel's national baseball team and with the newly formed Israel Baseball League (www.israelbaseballleague.com).

Maybe it is OK to say Jew can't play basketball but not OK to say one it too short to play. A bit of skewed values,maybe?

to put anyone down is a shanda it's better to shoot the person then kill his self asteam

Jews can pretty much do anything they want to. It's a matter of choice and purpose. Most Jews focus on the mind as the center of life because Torah requires study AND because it is easier to survive if you are smarter and better educated. - Love - John

How soon they forget! Here is the starting roster of the original New York Knicks in 1946:

Ossie Schectman
Stan Stutz
Jake Weber
Ralph Kaplowitz
Leo "Ace" Gottlieb

Of course Jews can play. Being a one time Yeshiva Bucher taught me the toughness to play with the best of them. My Mother who nominated me for the B'nai Brith Sports Hall of Fame is also the one who kept me out of the big leagues. She would only let me play softball since she felt "hardball" my be dangerous. That said she looks to one day see my name up there with the likes of Greenberg, Koufax, Spitz and all of the great Jewish team owners. Being an inherent man of pledges I hereby pledge a softball autographed by yours truly to be auctioned by you to fill your coffers with always needed dollars. These autographed balls are quite rare so expect it to bring a hefty sum. I would urge Mr. Koufax to match my pledge.

The reason we keep having trouble is because we keep labeling people! Who cares what religion someone is?!?! It is a PRIVATE, PERSONAL matter! Does it really make them a better or worse athlete??? NO, it does NOT! South Park is a comedy, they make fun of everyone equally... But to allow it to even spark a discussion like this sickens me. Allow someone to be determined whether they are a good athlete or not by their performance, NOT their heritage!

Hey, that's like totally false, dude. I mean, all six of the white guys in the NBA are Jewish...and a couple of the blacks-I mean African-Americans- are from the lost tribes of Newark

My sons were and still are amazing. When my son played on a AAA basketball team he not only scored the clinch basket to win the city championship (from centre court last second tie breaker) but was the only white jewish player on his team. When he went with his team to eastern Canada - upon arrival the team was assumed as NBA and asked for autographs. He again was the only jew on his team (minority color too).
So forget your bubbamintzes.
MOM

I agree, it's just a stereotype, and many Jews are tremendous athletes. I'll be the first to defend that statement. But Southpark is just a comedic, off-color show that pokes fun at many stereotypes.... there was some good humor to the clip too if it's not taken so seriously.

Check out article on "The Jewish Week" website:


New documentary chronicles the Jewish involvement in the hoops game, and how it helped make them Americans.

Eugeno

JEWS STARTED THE NBA

As a former athlete and current soldier (in iraq) I must say Jews are great athletes one must only look as far as the IDF as support to this fact...plus the various israelis in the european soccer divions as well as israeli groups...

Everyone knows that Dolph Shayes was one of the all-time greats, and his son Danny played for 13 years in the NBA, too.

Whoever says that is totally wrong. i mean what about tamir goodman, Sandy koufax, that first baseman for the red sox and tons more. we may not be the bums who eat, drink and sleep sports but we are out there!

I think it's because we're known for more brainy endeavors that the stereotype is that we're not good at athletics. Some of us are actually very good athletes. As far as Jews not being able to play basketball, don't tell my daughter. The kid leads her school team, and her Y team, where in one game she hit 5 out of 6 three-pointers, plus she plays AAU. The head coach of her AAU team is Jewish and his daughter, who also plays, is excellent. And don't tell the headmistress of the Hillel School of Tampa where my daughter goes either, because her daughter was ranked as one of the top 6 basketball players in Hillsborough County, and she was only a sophomore.

Totally not true! I have a father and 3 brothers who are all amazing athletes!