Dustin Hoffman's Jewish Moment

Wish I could afford the test to see if I have any Jewish heritage. I do love Hashem and the Torah.

Mr. Hoffman, if you find out what it is--this Judaism that your strong and brave ancestors passed on to you--you will be thrilled beyond measure. As you search for the truth of what is yours, it's guaranteed. With the help of G-d, may you find the wonder of Judaism and thrive as a Jew.

What kind of parents could so callously prevent their child from knowing who he is.
I have always regarded it as an honour to have been born Jewish, and they took that honour away from their son and left him in limbo for so long. Had he known and practiced his religion perhaps he would not have made such egregious mistakes in loyalty.

I never knew Dustin Hoffman was Jewish.Now I like him even more.

This was a most touching interview. I admire Dustin Hoffman for publicly acknowledging his family background.

Years ago before I was a psychologist, I considered acting and studied at the Lee Strasberg Theater Institute. When Dustin Hoffman spoke to us one day more than 40 years ago, he was very generous with his time and in taking questions. There was a decency I perceived in him that I had not seen in others who had spoken to us. Later, I was grateful when I learned that his wife, Lisa is Jewish. It would be wonderful if Rabbi Simmons contacted him and invited him and his family to Aish Jerusalem for him to have, like Kirk Douglas, a better-late-than-never Bar Mitzvah.

Another story I like about Dustin Hoffman is that when he played Watergate journalist Carl Bernstein in "All the President's Men," the real Carl Bernstein invited him to his family Passover seder, and he attended.

And that's the blessing of HaShem, that, even if one comes close to his Jewish life as late as 80 or 90 years old, or even the last day of his life, he finds complete fulfillment instantly, within each Mitzvah, within each minute of learning Torah with his Rabbi. For such is the love and delight of HaShem for each and every one of His deeply beloved, precious children. One who returns is counted instantly as one who has always been there.

No one can live in the past forever, If we do we will short change the future. We must stay positive and learn from the past and never forget it. If we forget the past we are doomed to it. Life is such a challenge but its how we use our good spirits that overcomes all the bad.

With a name like Hoffman , Dustin should consider looking into his Rhineland heritage .

Hoffman has been married to a Jewish woman for 32 years. They have 4 children with Jewish names, and sent them to a local Jewish school. So although the specific information on his forebearer may be new to him, his Jewishness is not.

I agree. All he has to do is look in the mirror.

When I said I had similar background I only meant in Holocaust matter, where we lost most of our families, not in Jewish education, I was raised in a Jewish home and went to Hebrew schools. So my point was about his parents refusing to face the facts of the Holocaust and what being Jewish encompasses with all the persecutions, which is something you can never ever forget and should warn your children about it. As for Mr. Hoffman, he must have known that his parents were Jewish, how can you not know, even if they didn’t practice.

I read the comments of Dustin Hoffman who I consider one of the finest actors alive. What about Dustin's family,are they Jewish or do they hide it? Until the Gentile and the People who are of the Jewish religion realize that calling themselves Jews only means a religion . I suggest that all of these so called people that talk about BDS Israel, go live in the Middle East countries for 3 months and then talk about their experiences.its all about their family background that causes all the wars and killings throughout the world.why don't they talk about the Chrustians been slaughtered. As an older person,I worry about my Grandchildrens future,and others in this crazy mixed up World.

Thank you so much for sharing this. It is so beautiful and amazing to see Dustin learn about who he truly is and it is touching to see his heart poured out as he realizes how his whole life was made a reality because of the heroes in his family that went on before him. I have read the comments of others criticizing him, but each of us at times of our lives come to the realization of what others have given to make it possible for us to be here on this earth and often up until that point we all can be guilty of taking certain things for granted. But when Hashem has opened our eyes and touched our hearts by what we had never seen before, Hashem doesn't desire for us to tear someone else down, but He wants us to build each other up as we, too, remember our own shortcomings within our lives. Rabbi, I am so grateful you shared this article. It is truly amazing!!

We Jews have a long wonderful history to be proud of, it's a pity so many know nothing of it. Maybe if we had some knowledge we would support the tiny Jewish state the only democracy in the Middle East and America's best friend. Maybe we would not look elsewhere for faith if we knew what we had. Wake up American Jews

I am so happy that Distin discovered he is Jewis.

Sec of State Madeleine Albright pretended she didn't know she was Jewish when a reporter brought it up to her. Yet, her Jewish grandparents lived with hers, as did a Jewish cousin, while in Europe. What balogney. It's easier to be a Christian instead of a Jew. Her Jewish cousin who lived with her went to one of her speeches and Albright ignored her. Ditto Angelina Jolie and others. I boycott all celebrities and businesses who participate in BDS, like Penelope Cruz and others. I haven't heard one of the BDS movement people cry over beheaded Christians

My father was born in Cerralvo Mexico. It was a town founded by Jewish settlers. I don't know why, but I have always felt love and admiration for Israel and the Jewish people. Kudos for Dustin Hoffman. We are all Jews in one way.

Loved reading your comment. Am a history lover and from years of research, I might guess your town may have been founded by Jews escaping Inquisition in Spain. Do you know what year Cerralvo was founded?

My husband's family came to the US from Poland and Russia at the turn of the last century. My family came from Romania. There were many of my relatives who remained in Europe. Most of them died in the Holocaust. My husband and I frequently spoke about how grateful we were that our grandparents were brave enough to leave their oppressive lives. Had they stayed, we would not exist. Sadly, one aunt and her husband did survive Auschwitz and came to Israel. The uncle died, but my aunt was murdered here in Jerusalem by Arabs in 1976. Imagine.

We don't act alone. We owe it to them to make their sacrifices count.

There is a famous story about Ben Gurion asking his colleague Yitzhak Tabenkin for advice about the UN Partition Plan. Tabenkin asked for time to consult two people. The next day he gave his advice and Ben Gurion asked him "from whom did you seek advice?" "From two people," answered Tabenkin. "From my grandfather and from my grandson. From my grand-father who died ten years ago, and from my grandson who is not yet born."

Chaim, thank you for this amazing quote from Yitzak Tabenkin, "From my grandfather and from my grandson. From my grand-father who died ten years ago, and from my grandson who is not yet born." So very, very wise--and true.

This is what getting old does to you. You start thinking backwards going down to history and maybe your own history. Having similar background, I can understand his parents trying to put their stories in the back burner. Too much pain restricts your ability to go on but as life teaches you, you can run but you can’t hide and eventually it catches up with either you or your family, as it does to Dustin Hoffman. Being Jewish must also be in the genes as he is expressing such a Jewish soul being deprived of a Jewish education.

Seems a few of us have such a history. Although I knew I was Jewish, I had no clue what that meant as I had no Jewish education at all. My mother even said when I was in my 50s, "You don't look American." Now I have a strong background in Hebrew. I lived in Israel. I found it all on my own. Perhaps one cannot deny DNA. Wonder what Professor GAtes would think of that.

I know him. We have the same birthday. He had an office in the building I worked in, in Manhattan. So very nice, and I am so happy he found his roots.

It is fantastiek hat he is prot te Be a JEW

To belong to The Jewish People, to belong to the beginning to human civilization

I don't believe he didn't know he was Jewish. He was surrounded by Jewish relatives. But worse, not too long ago he denounced Israel for its policies and alleged occupation against Palestinians. I have boycotted his movies ever since. Someone should remind him that Palestinians are trying to wipe out Jews just like the Nazis and Soviets.

This needs to be done with all Jewish Hollywood people while they are still young.

I remember being in high school in LA, San Fernando Valley,1973. My boyfriend was good friends with his now wife, and brother. We took Dustin skiing to Mammouth. I was not observant at the time, but remember we all were making jokes and Jewish comments. He was VERY comfortable with us. Shy and intense. Profound article.

The reminds me of Daniel Pearl, the Wall Street Journal reporter who was kidnapped by jihadists and brutally murdered on videotape. Pearl declared: "My name is Daniel Pearl. I am a Jew."

The difference is that Pearl knew he was a Jew all his life and supported Israel. Dustin has all too often come out supporting the Palestinians. I do not respect those Jews on the Left who don't practice and think a good Jew is one who marched in Selma rather than support Israel.