Instructions

  • Research: Assign students to learn about Jewish Americans in film and television (e.g., Steven Spielberg, Natalie Portman, and Jerry Seinfeld).

  • Film Analysis: Watch a clip from a film by a Jewish American director (e.g., “Schindler’s List” by Steven Spielberg) and discuss the themes related to Jewish American culture.

  • Creative Assignment: Students will write a short scene for a film or TV show based on Jewish American culture, integrating themes such as identity, family, or tradition.

    • Steven Spielberg – Iconic film director and producer, known for classics like Schindler’s List, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Jaws, and Indiana Jones.

    • Natalie Portman – Actress, director, and producer, known for roles in Black Swan, Star Wars, and V for Vendetta.

    • Adam Sandler – Actor, comedian, writer, and producer, known for Happy Gilmore, The Waterboy, Uncut Gems, and his work on Saturday Night Live.

    • Barbra Streisand – Legendary singer, actress, and filmmaker, known for Funny Girl, A Star Is Born, and her music career.

    • Jake Gyllenhaal – Actor known for Donnie Darko, Brokeback Mountain, Nightcrawler, and Spider-Man: Far From Home.

    • Debra Messing – Actress, best known for her role in the TV show Will & Grace.

    • Scarlett Johansson – Actress known for her roles in Lost in Translation, The Avengers series, and Marriage Story.

    • Gene Wilder – Actor and comedian, best known for his portrayal of Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

    • Danny Kaye – Actor, singer, and comedian known for his work in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty and White Christmas.

    • Sarah Silverman – Comedian, actress, and writer known for her stand-up comedy and her TV show The Sarah Silverman Program.

    • Larry David – Comedian, writer, and producer, best known for creating Seinfeld and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

    • Jon Stewart – Comedian and host of The Daily Show, known for his sharp political satire.

    • Mel Brooks – Legendary filmmaker and comedian, known for The Producers, Blazing Saddles, and Young Frankenstein.

    • Woody Allen – Director, screenwriter, actor, and comedian, known for films like Annie Hall, Manhattan, and Midnight in Paris.

    • Jerry Seinfeld – Comedian and actor, best known for creating and starring in the sitcom Seinfeld.

    • Eddie Cantor – Actor, comedian, and singer, one of the first major stars of radio and early film.

    • Bob Dylan – Iconic folk and rock musician, known for his songwriting, including songs like Blowin' in the Wind and Like a Rolling Stone.

    • Bette Midler – Singer, actress, and comedian, known for her roles in The Rose and Hocus Pocus, as well as her music career.

    • Billy Joel – Singer-songwriter and pianist, known for hits like Piano Man, Uptown Girl, and Just the Way You Are.

    • Neil Diamond – Singer-songwriter, known for songs like Sweet Caroline, America, and Cracklin’ Rosie.

    • Kris Kristofferson – Singer, songwriter, and actor known for his country music hits and acting roles in films like A Star Is Born and Blade.

    • Linda Ronstadt – Influential singer and songwriter known for her versatility in genres like rock, country, and pop.

    • Quentin Tarantino – Filmmaker known for movies like Pulp Fiction, Kill Bill, and Inglourious Basterds.

    • Stanley Kubrick – Legendary film director, producer, and screenwriter, known for 2001: A Space Odyssey, A Clockwork Orange, and The Shining.

    • Rita Moreno – Actress, dancer, and singer who won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony (EGOT) for her work in theater, TV, and film, including West Side Story and The Electric Company.

    • J.J. Abrams – Director and producer known for Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Trek, and Lost.

    • Steven Soderbergh – Film director and producer, known for Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic, and Erin Brockovich.

    • Nora Ephron – Screenwriter, producer, and director known for films like When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless in Seattle, and You’ve Got Mail.

    • Aaron Sorkin – Screenwriter, director, and producer, known for The West Wing, The Social Network, and A Few Good Men.

    • Melvin Frank – Film director and screenwriter, known for writing The Court Jester and Father of the Bride.

    • Norman Lear – Television producer, writer, and creator of All in the Family, The Jeffersons, and Good Times.

    • Shonda Rhimes – Television producer, writer, and creator of Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and Bridgerton.

    • Sarah Jessica Parker – Actress and producer, known for Sex and the City and Divorce.

    • Stephen Sondheim – Composer and lyricist, known for Sweeney Todd, West Side Story, Into the Woods, and Follies.

    • Harold Prince – Theater producer and director, known for his work on Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, and Cabaret.

    • Idina Menzel – Actress and singer, known for her roles in Wicked and Frozen.

    • Julie Andrews – Actress and singer, known for The Sound of Music and Mary Poppins, though she has an indirect Jewish connection through her involvement in Jewish-themed films like The Princess Diaries.

    • David Geffen – Entertainment mogul and co-founder of DreamWorks SKG, Geffen Records, and Asylum Records.

    • William Morris – Founder of the William Morris Agency, one of the first talent agencies in Hollywood.

    • Shari Redstone – Media executive and philanthropist, known for her leadership roles in companies like ViacomCBS.

  • Add a short summary or a list of helpful resources here.