The hidden Jewish roots of the summer's biggest flicks

One of the world’s most enduring views about Jews is that we run the media, and Hollywood in particular.

When it comes from the mouths of antisemites it’s a slur, of course, but for others, it’s a compliment, a source of pride, an example of how Jewish Americans have made their mark on their country.

And there’s no denying Los Angeles Jews have brought some of the most famous stories to life on screen.

This summer, I’m pleased to say, is no exception. Later this month, the hotly anticipated double release of Oppenheimer and Barbie hits screens and they both have Jewish fingerprints all over them.

But, I can hear you say, Barbie is an expression of pure goyism, a shiksa role model for America. No, I reply. Barbie actually has a profoundly Jewish history.

Oppenheimer 6

Cillian Murphy as J. Robert Oppenheimer (Photo: Universal Studios)

Her story began in the 1910s with Ruth Moskowicz, the daughter of a Polish blacksmith who emigrated to Colorado in search of a better life.

In 1959, when she was in her early 40s and on a trip to Europe, Ruth (now Handler) came up with the idea for a hyper-feminine doll and named her creation after her daughter Barbara.

The doll was an instant success and to date, more than a billion dolls in various forms, from the classic clotheshorse to the woman in STEM, have been sold.

However, much like the Jewish writers of superhero comics, who created ultra-gentile strong men as a reaction to the Holocaust, Barbie was almost the anti-Jewish woman, appealing as she did to Middle American ideas of womanhood: blonde hair, white teeth and long legs.

rev-1-Txtd Barbie First Look BARBIE High Res JPEG

Margot Robbie in Barbie (Photo: Warner Bros)