Although my busy and crazy schedule generally does not afford me the time to watch much television, Seinfeld remains one of my most favorite respites. Despite the "Jewishness" and "New York-ishness" of the characters, the lack of depth to their lives is so distant from my own life that I truly enjoyed the sheer escapism the show provided. (I do not in any way mean to imply that I am a "deep" person. Average depth would be an apt description.)
My most favorite episode, the one that in effect defined the show's premise, was the one where Jerry (Seinfeld) and his sidekick, George (played by Jason Alexander) attempt to pitch the concept of the show to executives at NBC.
"So, what's this show supposed to be about" asks one program director.
"Nothing!" exclaims George.
"Nothing?" asks another executive.
"That's right! Nothing. It's a show about nothing!" George replies.
"What does that mean?" queries the program manager.
"Let me show you," says George. "Jerry, what did you have for breakfast this morning?"
"Coffee," answers Jerry.
"Coffee! Coffee," George turns to the executives and screams, "that's an episode! It's a show about nothing!"
I thought about that episode last week when I read articles on Jason Alexander's arrival in Israel, his tiyul (field trip) to Ramallah and his subsequent speech at Bar-Ilan University. Alexander is here to promote a new peace initiative. Using star power, various Hollywood icons have for years involved themselves in a variety of "issues" - environmental, anti-war, anti-drug, anti-alcohol, anti-hunger; the list goes on and on.
Apparently, Alexander and others (I believe he is joined by Richard Dreyfuss as well) believe that through the sheer force of their will, they can impose a "peaceful settlement" on all parties in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
"The people of Ramallah want peace just as badly as you do," Alexander is reported to have said at a ceremony at Bar Ilan.
Well, there's an episode. About nothing.
In the last five decades, save for a handful of individuals, the Arab world has shown no desire to come to terms with the Jewish presence in the Middle East. Call us whatever you want - Zionists, Israelis, Ivrim (Hebrews) - the bottom line is that the Arab long-term view is one in which Jews cease to exist in the Middle East, and perhaps globally.
We are taught in the book of Bereishit (Genesis) that Lavan (the father of Leah and Rachel) was more evil than the Egyptian Pharaoh (of Passover fame). Lavan wished to destroy all of the Jewish people, while Pharaoh attempted to kill just the boys. (Never mind that they eventually amount to the same thing - our Sages were simply teaching a lesson of degrees.)
Well, "George", or Jason, however you wished to be addressed, I really hate to burst your bubble, but I can not think of a people who has longed for peace more than the Jewish nation. I am unsure as to which "people of Ramallah" you have met. Are they the ones who lynched two Israeli soldiers three years ago? Are they the ones who helped lure a 17-year-old boy to his death two years ago? Perhaps they are the ones who stand by idly when their neighbors fire guns into homes in Psagot and Beit El.
Are all the people who live in Ramallah vicious terrorists? No, of course not.
I had occasion to be on a plane a number of years ago with an Arab Christian family from Austin, Texas. Both husband and wife were medical professionals who had left Ramallah before 1967, when they were children. They grew up in America's south and went on to become accomplished in the field of opthamology. Each year, they returned to Ramallah to operate a free clinic for three weeks during the summer. It was a wonderful opportunity to bring their children and have them bond with relatives in the West Bank city.
All wonderful... until the summer of 2001, when they were told not to come back again if they wanted their children to live. Dr. and Dr "X" (their real names are not relevant here) quickly packed up their belongings and moved to a Jewishly populated Jerusalem hotel for the remainder of their three week stay. Muslim fanatics did not want Christians in Ramallah anymore than they want Jews to be there.
I am always dismayed when non-residents or non-participants in our Zionist enterprise (yishuv Eretz Yisrael) attempt to interfere with our lives and dictate to us a viewpoint. While I do not think that there is a need for every "wannabe peacemaker" to walk a mile in my shoes, a few city blocks-worth might be helpful.
When actors get involved, I worry. Actors function in the world of fantasy. Thespians can create worlds with their imagination. Letting their imaginations run wild puts money into their pocket and the pockets of entertainers the world over. It does not bring peace. Peace comes from peaceful people. Peace is a result of realism in the face of ideology. Peace is about resolve on all sides of a spectrum. Peace is about acknowledging the sovereignty of a being greater than mankind itself.
Actors can bring hope and goodwill - and so they should. We in Israel were tremendously buoyed by Christopher Reeves' recent visit. Here was a man of substance. A man whose life did not end when he sustained injuries that physically shattered him and his acting career. Here is a man whose life is about something.
So do us all a favor, George/Jason, keep the "nothing" concept on television. And if you are visiting Israel, try to visit the people of Israel - your people, the Jewish people - before you go visiting those sworn to destroy us.
My most favorite episode, the one that in effect defined the show's premise, was the one where Jerry (Seinfeld) and his sidekick, George (played by Jason Alexander) attempt to pitch the concept of the show to executives at NBC.
"So, what's this show supposed to be about" asks one program director.
"Nothing!" exclaims George.
"Nothing?" asks another executive.
"That's right! Nothing. It's a show about nothing!" George replies.
"What does that mean?" queries the program manager.
"Let me show you," says George. "Jerry, what did you have for breakfast this morning?"
"Coffee," answers Jerry.
"Coffee! Coffee," George turns to the executives and screams, "that's an episode! It's a show about nothing!"
I thought about that episode last week when I read articles on Jason Alexander's arrival in Israel, his tiyul (field trip) to Ramallah and his subsequent speech at Bar-Ilan University. Alexander is here to promote a new peace initiative. Using star power, various Hollywood icons have for years involved themselves in a variety of "issues" - environmental, anti-war, anti-drug, anti-alcohol, anti-hunger; the list goes on and on.
Apparently, Alexander and others (I believe he is joined by Richard Dreyfuss as well) believe that through the sheer force of their will, they can impose a "peaceful settlement" on all parties in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
"The people of Ramallah want peace just as badly as you do," Alexander is reported to have said at a ceremony at Bar Ilan.
Well, there's an episode. About nothing.
In the last five decades, save for a handful of individuals, the Arab world has shown no desire to come to terms with the Jewish presence in the Middle East. Call us whatever you want - Zionists, Israelis, Ivrim (Hebrews) - the bottom line is that the Arab long-term view is one in which Jews cease to exist in the Middle East, and perhaps globally.
We are taught in the book of Bereishit (Genesis) that Lavan (the father of Leah and Rachel) was more evil than the Egyptian Pharaoh (of Passover fame). Lavan wished to destroy all of the Jewish people, while Pharaoh attempted to kill just the boys. (Never mind that they eventually amount to the same thing - our Sages were simply teaching a lesson of degrees.)
Well, "George", or Jason, however you wished to be addressed, I really hate to burst your bubble, but I can not think of a people who has longed for peace more than the Jewish nation. I am unsure as to which "people of Ramallah" you have met. Are they the ones who lynched two Israeli soldiers three years ago? Are they the ones who helped lure a 17-year-old boy to his death two years ago? Perhaps they are the ones who stand by idly when their neighbors fire guns into homes in Psagot and Beit El.
Are all the people who live in Ramallah vicious terrorists? No, of course not.
I had occasion to be on a plane a number of years ago with an Arab Christian family from Austin, Texas. Both husband and wife were medical professionals who had left Ramallah before 1967, when they were children. They grew up in America's south and went on to become accomplished in the field of opthamology. Each year, they returned to Ramallah to operate a free clinic for three weeks during the summer. It was a wonderful opportunity to bring their children and have them bond with relatives in the West Bank city.
All wonderful... until the summer of 2001, when they were told not to come back again if they wanted their children to live. Dr. and Dr "X" (their real names are not relevant here) quickly packed up their belongings and moved to a Jewishly populated Jerusalem hotel for the remainder of their three week stay. Muslim fanatics did not want Christians in Ramallah anymore than they want Jews to be there.
I am always dismayed when non-residents or non-participants in our Zionist enterprise (yishuv Eretz Yisrael) attempt to interfere with our lives and dictate to us a viewpoint. While I do not think that there is a need for every "wannabe peacemaker" to walk a mile in my shoes, a few city blocks-worth might be helpful.
When actors get involved, I worry. Actors function in the world of fantasy. Thespians can create worlds with their imagination. Letting their imaginations run wild puts money into their pocket and the pockets of entertainers the world over. It does not bring peace. Peace comes from peaceful people. Peace is a result of realism in the face of ideology. Peace is about resolve on all sides of a spectrum. Peace is about acknowledging the sovereignty of a being greater than mankind itself.
Actors can bring hope and goodwill - and so they should. We in Israel were tremendously buoyed by Christopher Reeves' recent visit. Here was a man of substance. A man whose life did not end when he sustained injuries that physically shattered him and his acting career. Here is a man whose life is about something.
So do us all a favor, George/Jason, keep the "nothing" concept on television. And if you are visiting Israel, try to visit the people of Israel - your people, the Jewish people - before you go visiting those sworn to destroy us.