The newly released biography, Steven Spielberg: A Life in Films by Molly Haskell, delves into the Jewish life of the iconic director and the impact of his childhood on his countless award-winning films.
Years ago, right before the release of Schindler’s List, Spielberg spoke openly about his Jewish roots and about his hopes for his own children. As a child, the Spielbergs moved from Ohio to Arizona to California, and they were often the only Jewish family in the neighborhood. “I was embarrassed, I was self-conscious. I was always aware I stood out because of my Jewishness,” Spielberg recalled. “In high school, I got smacked and kicked around. Two bloody noses. It was horrible.”
The Spielbergs had lost family in the Holocaust; they had a number of relatives who had died in Poland and Ukraine. And at the age of 46, Spielberg took a courageous step in his own Jewish journey by mustering the courage to go back into the pain and darkness of the Holocaust with the making of Schindler’s List. He had been offered the project ten years earlier, but he didn’t feel ready to take on the enormous emotional and spiritual challenge that the creation of a Holocaust film demanded from him.
The choice to make the film came at a time in Spielberg’s life when being Jewish began to take on more of a personal focus. At that point, Steven was the father of five children and he wanted them to be raised with a strong Jewish identity.
With Schindler’s List he decided to create something “that would confirm my Judaism to my family and myself.”
“I’m getting older, maybe that’s the most honest way to put it,” said the filmmaker. “When my children were born, I made the choice I wanted them to be raised as Jews and to have a Jewish education.” His second wife, Kate Capshaw, converted to Judaism after more than a year of studying with an Orthodox Rabbi. Soon afterwards, the doorways of all of Spielberg’s homes and offices had mezuzahs affixed to them. And Spielberg built a separate kosher kitchen in the basement of his Los Angeles home where his mother, Leah Adler, cooked holiday meals for the family.
His mother Leah often spoke about how Steven wasn’t a great student or very popular, but that even as a child, he always saw things differently than anyone else. Steven recalled how his mother would speak to him about the Holocaust even when he was a little boy. “When I was very young, I remember my mother telling me about a friend of hers in Germany, a pianist who played a symphony that wasn’t permitted, and the Germans came up on stage and broke every finger on her hands. I grew up with stories of Nazis breaking the fingers of Jews.”
In Ohio, Spielberg’s grandmother taught English to Holocaust survivors. Steven spoke about how he learned his numbers from an Auschwitz survivor who used the tattoo burned on his arm to teach the young Spielberg.
“He would roll up his sleeves and say, ‘This is a four, this is a seven, this is a two,’” Spielberg recalled. “It was my first concept of numbers. He would always say, ‘I have a magic trick.’ He pointed to a six. And then he crooked his elbow and said, ‘Now it’s a nine.’ In a strange way my life has always come back to images surrounding the Holocaust. The Holocaust had been a part of my life, just based on what my parents would say at the dinner table. We lost cousins, aunts, uncles.”
Today Spielberg has seven children and three grandchildren, and he says that making Schindler’s List was the turning point when he decided to create something “that would confirm my Judaism to my family and myself.” He still speaks today about how his wife’s conversion to Judaism before they were married in 1991 renewed his commitment to Judaism and to his children’s Jewish education. It was at that point that the Spielberg family began to observe all the Jewish holidays and light candles on Friday night. They gave their children bar and bat mitzvahs, and Spielberg has raised them with a love for Israel and a strong connection to their Jewish roots.
Spielberg has raised his kids with a love for Israel and a strong connection to their Jewish roots.
Spielberg has spoken openly and frequently over the years about his support for Israel and his dedication to continuing Holocaust education. “As a Jew, I am aware of how important the existence of Israel is for the survival of us all. And because I am proud of being Jewish, I am worried by the growing anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism in the world. Only five states mandate Holocaust education in their schools. I will continue to advocate for Holocaust education programs to be mandated in all 50 states and tolerance education programs a requirement for graduating high school seniors.”
After Schindler's List was released, thousands of survivors began calling Spielberg with their personal accounts. Spielberg wanted to give voice to each of their stories so he established the USC Shoah Foundation in California to record and share their testimony. Spielberg also established a film archive at Hebrew University with thousands of hours of video interviews with survivors called the Holocaust Testimonial Project.
Haskell’s biography, part of Yale’s Jewish Lives series, describes how Spielberg’s films reveal the stepping stones of his journey. But the most precious lesson we learn from Spielberg is how he used his challenges and fears to create meaning and find his own way in his life, film by film, story by story. Ever since he was a little boy, Steven could not keep his stories hidden inside of him. As Spielberg once told an interviewer from Entertainment Weekly in 2011, “Yes, I’ve always had shpilkes. I have it now. I had it then. It is my fuel, basically.”
He used this fuel to speak up, both as a filmmaker and as a Jew. He used it to become the kind of father and grandfather that he is proud of. And he used it to pass on the most precious gift that he has – his Jewish identity. Perhaps of all of Spielberg’s greatest stories, this is the one that will take root and grow beyond anything even the most brilliant filmmaker could have ever imagined.
(16) Lyn Swartz, October 24, 2020 8:02 PM
A superb gift to us all
I am a South African but have recently made Aliya and am residing in Jerusalem with frequent visits to South Africa for various Yomim Tovim and family Simchas. At the moment we got caught up in the Covid lock down in SA but hope to return to Israel soon I am so very proud of Steven Spielberg. Instead of hiding his Jewishness from the world he came out with guns blazing. I hope his children and grandchildren carry on his proud tradition. I can't begin to tell you what this means especially in these times of so much anti semitism. In South Africa the BDS movement seems to gain more strength daily. Jews, Zionism and Israel seem to be like a red flag to the world. I appeal to you Mr Spielberg in view of the outstanding work you have done in the past, honoring the Holocaust victims, and bringing the positivity that can be found in us Jews, to the fore, please continue your sterling work. More strength to you and the people who think like you. I remain a faithful admirer of you and all you have accomplished. Very sincerely Lyn and Mervyn Swartz and our entire family
(15) Nechemia, February 13, 2017 3:31 AM
Who's the hater here?
It sounds like you may be the hater with your Avatar an upside down flag and trashing Trump...whether you are Jewish or Hebrew(by your mother) the Torah teaches us to look out for one another to love G-d with all our heart, soul, might and to love our neighbor as ourselves...if we stop pointing fingers and pray more for our leaders and turn away from "it's all about me" and turn our attention to really care about humanity then yes when you pray that way how it will truly make a difference not only for who you pray for but for you and a closer walk with Him
(14) rrr, February 9, 2017 8:14 PM
His name is Spielberg. Spiel means play.
(13) Nancy, February 7, 2017 12:42 PM
Trump's views on Israel
Our current president will ultimately do what benefits him, no matter where the chips fall. On an unrelated note, it bothers me to see so much name calling here. It's fine to disagree with one another, and I disagree with lots of people. However, let's argue with some intelligence and respect for one another.
(12) Harriet, February 2, 2017 9:28 AM
You and your family are quite blessed.
(11) margaret, February 1, 2017 5:49 AM
Wth
I didn't like Trump or any other American 'golden boy'
That's my point. I read an article about a man, not a politician.
If this was Oblahmah I would understand you having a go about silly politics.
(10) Gail Fonda, January 31, 2017 1:19 AM
I am Jewish and voted for Obama though I disliked his cold behavior to Israel. I think the Republican Party is anti-Semitic since so many White Supremacists are Republicans. He was America's president, not the president of Israel.
Joseph Apicella, January 31, 2017 2:07 PM
Gail Fonda Represents American Jews
After much thought,, since I m not Jewish, I was ready to support Mr. Spielberg when I came upon Ms. Fonda's comment. America and Israel are two different countries. American Jews support American interests first. They want the best for Israel and that means on occasion differing with the government of Israel. We have women rabbis , congregations that welcome "mixed marriage", congregations where men and women pray together. It makes America what it is.
Jason Clark, February 1, 2017 8:45 PM
You mean the white supremacists that thirty years ago were voting for the Democrats? The group you describe as "white supremacists" tend to be nationalistic, which means they're going to vote Republican against the Democrat's apparent lack of concern about the risks of uncontrolled immigration. You should be too. Islamic militants like killing non-Muslims, but they love killing Jews.
Heck, in 1924 there were so many Klansmen in full regalia at the Democratic convention that it was dubbed a Klanbake.
The Democrat party regard you only as a useful idiot, someone they can rely on for your vote while ignoring you the rest of the time.
Trump meanwhile is one of the most pro-Israel presidents in years, and his son-in-law, daughters-in-law, and his grandchildren, are Jewish.
Being an American president doesn't justify acting against an ally's interests, which Obama did, apparently even trying to release $221 million to the Palestinian authorities just before he left power. You know how many bullets and explosives you can buy for $221 million?
Jennifer, February 12, 2017 6:26 PM
Republican anti-semites?
BDS- republican? Nope, sorry. The left is more hate filled and anti-Semitic than the Republicans have EVER been. During the height of the Klan's activities they were DEMOCRATS. The guys who bashed in Congressman John Lewis' head in Alabama were DEMOCRATS. The left is aligning themselves with BDS, Students for Justice in Palestine, BLM etc. ALL these groups have Jew hatred as a core belief and have been harassing students and suppressing pro-Israel speech across the country. Please, liberal Jews, do some real research and stop listening to the highly produced sound bites prepared for you by people with ulterior motives.
Polling indicates that Republicans have a much more favorable view of Israel than do the majority of Democrats. Look at the facts on the ground. The Christian Right is supporting Israel, the left is embracing BDS.
(9) Dvora, January 30, 2017 8:22 PM
Mr. Spielberg
Hope everyone in your home are Torah, Talmud Scholars. Great reading an article written by you. You are an excellent film Producer and I have loved every one you made. The only two Great Aunts I had that survived the Holocaust were never right again. They had moments when they could grasp a conversation and interact with us. They lived in some type of Nursing Home where they could be cared for and as a teenager, I went to see them every chance I could. They lost their husband's and all their children. I lied to them once and I felt guilty of it always. Considering their conditions, they handed me a photograph of my Grandfather and asked me to inquire about him with Holocaust Survivors in Philadelphia. Mom and Dad took one look at the photo, and discussed between the two of them, and both agreed he was murdered in Aushwitz. They told me how he was murdered and it was horrible as all Holocaust Stories are. I told my Great Aunts my friends in Philadelphia did see him, and they said he was a wonderful, kind man but they did not know what happened to him. I cried all the way home. The SS cut his stomach open and bet on how far he could run with his intestines in his hands. I could not tell them.
(8) Joe Rafael Gonzalez, January 30, 2017 4:30 PM
Only five states mandate Holocaust education.
Only five states mandate Holocaust education in their schools? We probably can count Puerto Rico. We have been working for the last 10 years, no charge to schools, teaching the Shoa. We started with a budget of only $600.00. Never charged a penny. No one receives salaries. The first and only Holocaust Museum in the Caribbean. We just love Israel!
Marlene Josephs, February 2, 2017 1:00 PM
Thank You!
This is so good to know! I had no idea.
(7) Anonymous, January 30, 2017 1:54 PM
Excellent article and very well written! Thanks for posting!
(6) L. Virginia McCorkle, January 29, 2017 10:35 PM
another film, please!
we need another film re-minder of what happened, that it may never happen again--please consider making another film relating to Shoah so that the education continues, serves to enlighten and re-mind us of a history that can repeat unless we are vigilant, strong & willing to step-up for our beliefs, for who we are--when we do this we speak for the whole of life.
(5) Howard Newman, January 29, 2017 7:45 PM
Zionism and the Left
I hope that Spielberg realizes that Zionism is reviled by the Left because it affirms the identify of the Jewish people in their own nation state. Today's Left deplores the nation state and therefore hates Zionism Jewish liberals out there ,please keep this in mind before your deplore Trump's actions to secure to our American nation. It is logically very difficult, if not impossible to argue with Trump's defense of our borders and simultaneously defend Zionism. I choose to support both Israel and America as sovereign states.
(4) Paul Kessler, January 29, 2017 6:02 PM
Speak Out
I admire Mr. Spielberg's talent. But today when the country worships celeberity types, would love to see Spielberg and many other prominent Jews in entertainment, speak out against the lies spread about Israel and the anti-Semitism around the world. It is not enough just to give money and attend dinners. It is time to use your voice and spread the truth. The Holocaust happened because of the bystanders who were silent or supported the Nazis.
(3) elia filhart, January 29, 2017 4:29 PM
Even though I don't know you personally I admire you through your Jewish identity and through the great job that you have done with the Shoah project. My mother had been interviewed shortly after the project was started and more recently has left us her legacy by writing a book about her life.
Thank you again, Elia Filhart
(2) Regina, January 29, 2017 3:03 PM
Mixed Messages
Yes, he has told the world about the holocaust in terms that are hard to ignore; however, this is also the guy who made the film "Munich" and made the murderers of Israeli Olympic athletes look like 'regular guys'. I have never understood this - and continued to hold it against him. I would be interested to know more about his children and their practice of Judaism.
AM YISROEL CHAI!
Lee, January 31, 2017 10:26 AM
Thank you Regina
I must admit, I clicked on the article hoping to find that someone would mention 'Munich' in the comments. It's a troubling item on Spielberg's resume, and it needs to be noted.
(1) Diogenes, January 29, 2017 2:38 PM
But Still Supported Clinton
This is a very inspiring story, and I'm proud of Mr. Spielberg and his devotion to Judaism. I did not know that Ms. Capshaw had converted before marrying, and I am even more impressed, given the rampant intermarriage in this day and age, especially among the Hollywood types.
However, I'm wondering how Mr. Spielberg justifies his support for the anti-Israel/anti-Zionist/pro-Palestinian candidate. Perhaps the Hollywood influences are much stronger than we would imagine. But then how do we explain the fact that the vast majority of American Jews did the same thing?
MBRJ, January 29, 2017 4:49 PM
Ah, yes...the Hollywierd "influences"...
Much has been discussed about Hollywood and McCarthyism and its witch hunts over many years. How is what is going on in Hollywierd today any different than those times? It's not! Except...NOW...it is their own who are eating alive those who have other political affiliations that those of the "in crowd". Only the very established and the very wealthy can tell the majority of libtards to "shove it where the moon don't shine". The others have been threatened with never working again unless they fall in lockstep. These are VERY dangerous times indeed!