Shuly Babitz Publishes Essay on Saturday Night Live and Jewish Identity
In a column for The Blogs, writer and public affairs strategist Shuly Babitz argues that antisemitism operates as a persistent societal lie rather than a simple bias, following a joke on Saturday Night Live. Babitz, who lives just outside Washington, D.C., and has four children including two who made Aliyah to Israel, describes turning off the broadcast after comedian Michael Che used the word genocide during a Weekend Update segment discussing Israeli election voter turnout.
Michael Che Joke Prompts Decision to Turn Off Broadcast
Babitz writes that she and her middle school-aged son Nati sat down to watch the show on a Sunday evening in the fall after completing errands and baseball preparations. She states that the mention of the word genocide in connection with Israeli elections felt like a physical blow, prompting them to abandon the viewing experience. Babitz notes that her husband avoids watching the program altogether to escape being maligned on national television, while she highlights that Che has previously delivered anti-Jewish and anti-Zionist jokes.
Dara Horn Theory Explains Antisemitic Narratives
To contextualize the public rhetoric surrounding Israel, Babitz invokes author Dara Horn’s framework of antisemitism. Babitz explains that according to Horn, societies maintain power by holding Jewish people responsible for destroying the prevailing sacred values of any given era. She writes that in a communist society the accusation involves capitalism, while in a society focused on human rights, Israel faces accusations of human rights abuses originating from regimes such as Iran. Babitz adds that individuals who repeat these narratives believe they are defending societal values rather than acting out of pure hatred.
Washington Area Reality Informs Teenage Son Experience
Babitz contrasts her own American upbringing with the environment her teenage son deals with today. She reports that while her son proudly wears his kippah, he remains acutely aware of potential judgment and hostility. Babitz details that her son has encountered hateful graffiti throughout Washington, D.C., and has faced verbal abuse from unhinged protesters solely because he is Jewish.
Eretz Nehederet Offers Alternative Entertainment Option
Rather than attempting to challenge public commentators, Babitz suggests engaging directly with Israeli culture and media. She points to Eretz Nehederet, the Israeli political sketch comedy show, as an environment where internal criticism stems from genuine national pride rather than external hostility. Babitz highlights a specific sketch in which Israeli political leaders scheme while scaling a mountain toward a shared blue and white flag, demonstrating a collective connection to the nation despite internal disagreements.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Essay
Who are Shuly Babitz and her family?
Shuly Babitz is a writer and public affairs strategist based outside Washington, D.C., who shares a household with her husband and four children, two of whom live in Israel.
What specific television show and segment triggered the reaction?
The reaction was triggered by a Weekend Update segment on Saturday Night Live hosted by Michael Che.
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