"Jews in Hollywood" first featured in the 2015 Genesis Prize Ceremony in honor of actor Michael Douglas. According to their own website, The Genesis Prize describes its mission as that which, “fosters Jewish identity, inspires Jewish pride, and strengthens the bond between Israel and the Diaspora. The annual one-million-dollar award celebrates Jewish talent and achievement by honoring individuals for their professional accomplishments, commitment to Jewish values, and contribution to improving the world.”
Other notable Jews featured in the video include Barbra Streisand, Paul Newman, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Rodgers and Hammerstein, Al Jolson, Kirk Douglas, Milos Forman, Steven, Spielberg, and others as well.
In a similar concept, the video "Jews in Music" was first premiered a year later at the 2016 Genesis Prize Ceremony in honor of virtuoso violinist Itzhak Perlman. Some of Jewish musicians in that video (not shown here) include Leonard Cohen, Carole King, Vladimir Vysotsky, Idan Raichel, Martha Argerich, Paul Simon, Evgeny Kissin, Billy Joel, Adam Levine, Drake, and others.
It is undeniable that the Jewish people have left a mark on theater, music, film, television, and theater in America.
Contributed to Shalom Adventure by Joel Zaremsky
