Where Are the Cool A-List Jews?
That’s what writer David Marchese is looking for, according to the article he wrote last week for Salon.com. He laments the fact that long gone are the hip male Jews of the 60s and 70s like Dustin Hoffman, Bob Dylan, Gene Simmons, Starsky and James Caan (to name just a few). These were Jewish men who came across as tough and multi-layered and complicated in a way that made us love them.
Today, he goes on, we’ve got Adam Sandler (whose played many a buffoon), Jerry Seinfeld (neurotic and self-absorbed), Larry David (ditto), and Jeremy Piven (who plays a money-hungry agent on Entourage). Yes, sure there is Adrien Brody, Jake Gyllenhaal, Live Schreiber, and Adam Brody. Cute guys, but let’s face it, Marchese is right. These guys are not even in the same league as the men listed above. Jewish men who made us proud to claim them.
Anyway, the article left me wondering where the cool Jewish female celebs are as well. We’ve got beautiful 20-somethings like Natalie Portman, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Scarlet Johansson. Not bad choices; and all three beauties have delivered strong and impressive acting performances.
But where the heck are the cool Jewish celebs in their 30s? The rockers? The movie stars? The authors? Are there any? Because I can’t think of one. Is it just the humidity playing with my brain? Help me out here, ladies!
Double your impact to amplify Jewish women’s stories—
All gifts matched up to $35,000
Before you close this article, please consider supporting the Jewish Women’s Archive and uplifting Jewish women’s voices.
At JWA, we preserve the voices of Jewish women and gender-expansive people past and present, share them freely with millions online, and empower a new generation of Jewish feminists to lead with courage, creativity, and conviction.
But none of this happens without you. JWA is an independent nonprofit— we rely on people, like you, who believe that history belongs to all of us and that the voices of Jewish women must remain powerful, and heard.
This month, a generous JWA board member will match every gift dollar for dollar—up to $35,000—through June 30. Your contribution goes twice as far right now.
Every contribution—no matter the size—helps us document, teach, and inspire through Jewish women’s stories.
It takes less than a minute to make a difference.
Thank you for being a part of the JWA community,

Judith Rosenbaum, CEO


james franco, shia lebouf, james franco, joseph gordon levitt, james franco, daniel day lewis, james franco. hey, im only 4 years late on this thread!
Zach Braff
what about sarah silverman, who you mentioned just a little while ago on the blog. remember? smart and brave and funny?
Check out the philosopher, poet, and educator Sharon Esther Lampert at www.poetryjewels.com. She is changing the world... She is the cool Jewess you are looking for...