Jew Pond

Maybe it's not as bad as it sounds...

by The Daily Show with Jon Stewart

Published: March 19, 2012

Visitor Comments: 22

(15) ellen, September 8, 2012 12:57 AM

Hey, Channa. Learn to spell, then we'll talk.

(14) Channa, July 16, 2012 3:56 PM

offensive

The humor hear is offensive, wat if it was called Christian Pond?

(13) martin, April 5, 2012 2:58 PM

OY! a gonsa gedillah uber gornisht

OY! A gonsa gedillah uber gornisht. A narishkiet

Anne Porretta, May 15, 2012 4:11 AM

yoh . . . offensive . . .

siz nisht kein narishkeit . . . vus redst du eppis?

(12) Ber, March 28, 2012 2:08 PM

The point

I think it is interesting that it made the ballot and the towns people voted to change it. It says a lot about the integrity that community has and the vision they hold for their town is not one of being racist or anti-Semitic. I think that is the point to the action taken.

(11) Dvirah, March 22, 2012 2:48 PM

Return to Original Name

If the original name was "Spring Pond" the most logical move would be to return to that name. Of the offered choices (hopefully not real), I rather liked "Kike's Creek" which is euphonious. But in truth the humor here is just on the edge of offensive - and below the surface rather disturbing.

(10) Anonymous, March 21, 2012 5:31 PM

what's the big deal?

I really don't see what all the fuss is about. Does anyone intend to rename the musical instrument, Jews-harp? Stop making mountains out of mole hills.

David, March 21, 2012 7:04 PM

I guess you're right.

I mean, I'm sure the townsfolk who were around when two Jewish men bought the pond and nick-named it "Jews Pond" were just so very pleased and wanted to honor the new owners.

Neal, April 17, 2012 4:45 PM

Jews-harp also offensive term as is...

"jew it down (the price) and "christian it down" (the price)

paul solomons, May 12, 2012 4:27 PM

originally called a Jaw harp

So what's the issue

(9) Antonio Perez, March 21, 2012 4:11 PM

Jew Pond

Back in the 1920s it makes sense that the town people would call the pond that, because that's how some people thought in those days. Those of us who remember segregation will also remember that that's how society thought at that time. There was no thought, in the minds of most people, concerning discrimination and it's negative consequences. It was people like Martin Luther King, Jr., among others, who changed the way we think. I hope they can come up with a more positive name. But then, I'm a Jew and that's how I see things.

(8) Anonymous, March 21, 2012 5:22 AM

Should Have Kept The Name

and only allowed Jews to fish, swim or boat on it.

(7) Phil, March 21, 2012 3:53 AM

Not the only Jewish body of water

There's a Jewfish Creek in Key Largo. (The fish, by the way, has been renamed the goliath grouper, but the Creek has not been renamed.) According to an English explorer in 1697, the term Jewfish is found in the Oxford English Dictionary: "The Jew-Fish is a very good fish and, I judge, so called by the English because it hath scales and fins, therefore a clean fish, according to Levitical law."

(6) Anonymous, March 21, 2012 2:42 AM

This was in VERY poor taste. I felt it was antisemitic and terrible!

(5) Nachshon, March 21, 2012 2:32 AM

I can, because I'm Jewish...

Is it stocked with gefilte fish? If so, how do you catch them? Do you need a hooked nose? There are probably Whitefish and Pike, but does it have horseradish pads? Bringing a Pole isn't a problem, but can you rent a gravy boat? Do they come equipped with ladles? Is the water already salted? If you need to get to the other side, does the water split for you? (Well, you don't expect us to walk on it!). Oy! Are you supposed to sing when you get to the other side? Are there warning signs "Attention NonJews, Do Not Cross"? If the name is going to be changed, why not change it to Red Pond, or Pond of Reeds, since the Jews already split? But why change the name at all? The material is just too good!

rivka, March 21, 2012 8:22 AM

You are too funny!

I agree. I don't think the people meant it to be anti-semitic at the time. But we live in such a politically correct, "touchy" era now.

Nachshon, March 22, 2012 12:10 AM

Let's laugh at our differences, not be insulted by them

Thank you. I hope no one was offended by this, but what's the big deal? Lighten up people! If we take ourselves or other people's preconceptions too seriously, we're bound to get insulted over the most ridiculous things. Things that were never meant to be an insult. If Jews stand out, it's because we do some things differently. We don't eat all the same foods, we don't pray in the same place, we don't always dress the same way. We don't necessarily have bigger noses than anyone else and we certainly don't have horns (except of the musical variety). I don't recall Jews ever being responsible for segregation. As a matter of fact, it was Jews that walked beside Blacks on the marches for civil rights. Israel is one of the only countries in the Middle East to welcome people of all nationalities to immigrate. If we all become less sensitive to insensitive remarks, we stand a better chance of building bridges that will last. We should laugh and accept our differences. The more we do, the more joy we'll bring into our lives and our world. G-d created us differently for a reason. Viva La Difference!

(4) Anonymous, March 20, 2012 5:40 PM

Overreacting?

I don't see anything wrong with the name. For 90 years it's been called Jew Pond because two Jews bought the pond. Even if was originally meant in some sort of derogatory way, it's not understand that way now. And besides, there's a historical value in keeping it as Jew Pond. It's characteristic, perhaps, of the era.

(3) onegr8singer, March 19, 2012 11:47 PM

HYSTERICAL.......

I needed this! A "laugh-out-loud" bit....Thank-you Jon!

(2) richard, March 19, 2012 8:27 PM

Are you sure it wasn't bought by DuPont?

Are you sure it wasn't bought by DuPont? The name is remarkably similar...unless DuPont was also bought by 2 Jews???

(1) Lyone, March 19, 2012 8:16 PM

New Name.......

I think they should change they name to: Do You Pond ; )

Anonymous, March 21, 2012 5:22 AM

How About...

Cold Cream Pond?