By Cindy Grosz
(March 3, 2025 / TOI) Jews made history at the 97th Academy Awards in the acting categories. Both of the major acting award winners are Jewish. Adrien Brody won his second Oscar playing a Holocaust survivor. Twenty-five-year-old Mikey Madison, real name, Mikaela Madison Rosberg, born in California to both Jewish parents, made history as the youngest winner in the category.
Anora, the night’s big winner, and the movie for which Madison won her award, has Russian- Jewish overtones and other Jewish actors.
Finally, the best supporting actor award went to Kieran Culkin, portraying a Jewish character, Benji Kaplan, in a story about Jewish roots in Europe.
Hollywood, Democrats and fake news outlets will claim they aren’t antisemitic. But are they?
Rumors claim attendees were told not to wear yellow ribbons. But presenters and nominees were clearly wearing Free Palestine pins and ribbons for Ukraine.
Then came No Man Land. A documentary about Palestinians. And insults against America and the Trump administration for its stand on Middle East peace and security for all.
Unlike social media influencers who will harp on about this, I have several suggestions:
- Move. Nobody unhappy in America should benefit from the dream of living here. They aren’t making America great again.
- Educate yourselves. Learn about the history of Hollywood and why it started, how Jews opened the door for Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Gays and every minority for jobs in front of and behind the camera.
Learn About Zionism
Jews, Christians and Moderate Arabs who appreciate the democracy of Israel, study its history and benefit from business and technology interests actually understand that Zionism is Good! Boycotting Israel is antisemitism.
I am a proud World Zionist Congress Coordinator for Slate #15 – ZOA Coalition. Over 30 national organizations that fight antisemitism and stand with Israel are uniting to:
- SUPPORTING A STRONG JEWISH STATE
- FIGHTING FOR ISRAEL-JUDEA-SAMARIA
- STRENGTHENING JEWISH IDENTITY
- PROMOTING ALIYAH
- ZIONIST EDUCATION
- SECURITY OF JEWISH INSTITUTIONS
I have been involved with ZOA for years. ZOA is a proud 501(c)(3) organization that has been, under the leadership of National President Morton Klein, one of the most influential and respected groups that work with members of both sides of Congress and the White House to promote a strong American-Israeli relationship.
I fondly remember when rabbis in my own community called me a “kook” when I hosted Klein, current EPA Secretary Lee Zeldin at an event on Long Island. They told me nobody would show up. One thousand people attended to oppose the original Iran Nuclear Deal. I guess we were right!
I have so many great memories from my association with ZOA. ZOA was one of the first organizations to honor President Donald Trump. They also recently honored Senator John Fetterman for his standing with Jewish students on college campuses, not just standing at press conference podiums.
Five years ago, I was asked to be a delegate, but didn’t get involved. However, after October 7th, life changed. Despite social media influencers, politicians claiming to Stand With Israel at rallies and in ads in Jewish newspapers, Israel is at war and Jews around the world do not feel safe walking in broad daylight on streets in their neighborhoods.
We must change our methods of protest for change.
Number one is factual education from a reliable source. The Zionist Organization of America has a rich history and a library filled with documents and photos that go back decades.
Voting in the World Zionist Congress is a simple five-minute process. You will see a huge campaign starting on March 4th from new slates and familiar faces from social media. They don’t have the history of success or the important contacts in Israeli and American politics to legislate to protect Zionism. As I say, I am proud to be part of the OG, often imitated, never duplicated!
Let’s teach Hollywood a lesson and make our voices stronger to secure Zionism!
“If you will it, it is no dream,” Theodore Herzl
Cindy Grosz is the host of “Right for America” on WGBB AM/FM radio and an award winning media personality, brand ambassador and Jewish activist. She is also a proud ZOA Coalition Coordinator and Candidate – Join the ZOA Coalition’s virtual pre-election rally this Thursday, March 6 at 7 pm ET. Sign up here.
This article was originally published in the Times of Israel and can be viewed here.