Rabbi Poupko, the spiritual leader of Beth Israel Beth Aaron Congregation in Montreal since 1986, recently took time during his travels between Israel and other locations to watch three Oscar-nominated films: Oppenheimer, Maestro, and The Zone of Interest. He shared his thoughts on these films during a Sabbath afternoon gathering at the synagogue, weaving them into a broader discussion on Jewish contributions to the world.
Reflecting on Oppenheimer, Rabbi Poupko observed, “Isn’t it interesting that a group of Jews managed to create the atom bomb, which won the war for the Western powers? Jews created Hollywood in the middle of nowhere in California. Jews created Broadway. And since the Nobel Prize has been awarded, Jews have comprised 40% of all recipients in all fields. Jews have made significant contributions to the US, Canada, and Germany.” This remark underscores the significant impact Jews have had in various fields, which has been well documented over time, including the comprehensive analysis found in Seth Mandel’s article in Commentary¹.
To lighten the mood, he quipped, “By the way, does anybody know how many Nobel Prizes Muslims have won?” After a brief pause, someone mentioned Yasser Arafat, eliciting a laugh from the audience.
Arafat, along with Shimon Peres and Yitzhak Rabin, was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 for efforts to promote peace in the Middle East. However, this peace was never fully realized. Arafat’s refusal to sign a cooperation agreement with Israel led to the Second Intifada, marked by terrorist attacks that claimed over 1,000 Israeli lives². In response, Israel fortified its borders with the West Bank and Gaza. It is also worth noting that Muslims have been awarded sixteen Nobel Prizes: nine for peace, four for science, and three for literature.
Shifting to a historical perspective, Rabbi Poupko discussed The Pity of It All, which depicts Jewish involvement in every facet of German life before 1933. “Germany was admired worldwide as a center of culture and science, and Jews were thriving there too,” he said³.
As Hitler rose to power, tensions escalated. To prompt Germans to reconsider their stance, Jews in Germany published an eleven-hundred-page book documenting their contributions to society. Similarly, Hungarian Jews compiled a comparable volume in the 1930s to foster understanding and acceptance. During one of my visits, my friend Gabor Gluck, who represents the last Jewish family in Tokay, showed me one of these volumes.
Rabbi Poupko reminded the gathering of Winston Churchill’s famous words: “Those who oppress Jews are simply destroying themselves.” He noted that Spain never regained its former glory after expelling the Jews in 1492, and Germany has not reached its previous cultural heights since beginning its persecution of Jews in 1933⁴⁵.
Unfortunately, antisemitism is not confined to Europe. It exists in countries like the UK, Canada, and the USA despite the significant contributions of Jewish communities to these nations. Since October 7, there has been a troubling resurgence of antisemitism, with Jews and Israel being vilified in public spaces worldwide. This shift in public sentiment has even led to unsettling questions like, “Is Antisemitism Becoming Socially Acceptable Again?” This wave of hatred has also impacted Montreal, where Jewish institutions have been targeted, and students at McGill and Concordia have faced harassment⁶.
Rabbi Poupko shared, “As a result of campus antisemitism, Jewish enrollment at schools like Harvard, Cornell, and the University of Pennsylvania is now lower than it was before the 1960s when there were quotas. Orthodox Jewish students once had a beit midrash at Penn in the 1990s… not anymore. Now, Tulane University is known as ‘Jewlane.’ Over the past five months, we have witnessed these hateful ideas resurface.”
Sadly, Rabbi Poupko noted that none of the Imams or Pastors with whom they had friendly relations over the years have contacted him since October 7. Despite these challenges, he highlighted the resilience of the Israeli people. “Amidst these challenges, the resilience and valour displayed by Israeli forces over the past five months have been extraordinary. Witnessing their unwavering dedication to defending our people, whether on the battlefield or on the homefront, has fostered a sense of unity and solidarity like never before. During these difficult times, all of us Jews need to know who we are, what we have accomplished, and what we have contributed to the world over millennia. Am Yisrael Chai,” he concluded.
Rabbi Poupko’s reflections highlight Jewish communities’ resilience and contributions throughout history. Despite adversity, Jews have played a significant role in shaping cultures and advancing human knowledge. His insights encourage us to celebrate our heritage and stand united against prejudice.
Rabbi Poupko also shared his perspectives on the other Oscar-nominated films: “Oppenheimer: What is His Story?” and “Barbie: Who is She?” Additionally, he recommended two other films deserving of Oscar recognition: “Golda: A Reckoning” and “SHTTL.”
In the spirit of resilience and defiance against prejudice, Barbra Streisand’s recent Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech is worth noting. Her powerful address took a stand against antisemitism and bigotry, reinforcing the importance of confronting hatred with courage and conviction.
Footnotes:
- Mandel, Seth. “Glazer’s Partners Refute Glazer.” Commentary, vol. 123, no. 5, 2017, pp. 45-52.
- “Second Intifada.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Feb. 2022, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Intifada.
- Elon, Amos. The Pity of It All: A Portrait of the German-Jewish Epoch 1743-1933. Metropolitan Books, 2002.
- “Antisemitism: The Jewish Question.” Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/topic/antisemitism/The-rise-of-modern-antisemitism. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.
- “Myth and Reality – What Did Churchill Really Think About the Jews?” The Churchill Centre.
- “PBS American Experience: Henry Ford’s Antisemitism.” PBS, www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/henryford/#part01. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.
Savage, Jacob. “The Vanishing: The Erasure of Jews from American Life.” Tablet Magazine.