Last week, along with millions around the world, Ezra and I watched the Oscars. I admit, I like watching the pretty people, but mostly I was on my computer checking email and Facebook, while glancing at this fascinating pageantry of pop culture. I was proud, as a Jew and as a Zionist, that a short documentary about Israel won an Oscar, and when Natalie Portman won for Best Actress, Ezra and I commented once again on her Jewish and Israeli heritage. Little did I know that the true power of her Oscar would happen several days later with an ironic echo from history.
Portman, a spokesperson for Dior, spoke out against the outrageous comments of John Galliano as he was caught saying:
"I love Hitler," Galliano said in a video obtained by Britain's Sun newspaper. "Your mother, your forefathers would be f---ing gassed and f---ing dead."
This was the last straw in a bizarre series of events where he had been heard spewing anti-Semitic remarks and had been questioned by the French police (anti-Semitic rhetoric is illegal in France) and which culminated in his dismissal after the video went viral. Natalie Portman immediately used the prestige and power of her Oscar to speak quickly and unequivocally:
"I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video. In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. Galliano in any way. I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful."
I cannot help but draw the parallels between current events and the holiday that we are about to celebrate. Purim is exactly this story: when the evil man Haman rises up to exterminate the Jews, the queen, whose entire life is focused on her physical beauty and gaining prestige and power in the king’s court, speaks out even though the result may threaten her very life. The beautiful and talented Natalie Portman is a modern day Esther. The holiday of Purim celebrates Jewish survival. It is not a story that happened once upon a time, but rather a story that repeats itself generation after generation.
Next week we celebrate the beginning of the month of Adar, which is the month when Purim is celebrated. It is customary to sing, as we will during services this Friday night, “one who ushers in the month of Adar increases joy.” I invite you to join in our congregation’s Purim celebration (http://bjbe.org/pages/purim-extravaganza), by sending baskets (http://bjbe.org/pages/mishloach-manot) by giving tzedakah, by sharing a meal with us, and by retelling the story of Purim once upon a time and for all time.
Bravo to Ms. Portman and to the House of Dior. There is no room in our world for tolerating hatred.
Happy Adar.