How can we get the word out that Michael Richards is not Jewish?

Question

Michael Richards Not a Jew With Source
Please ask Mark Simone, who thought that Richards was Jewish, to
issue a statement on this and please do so yourself. Mr. Simone
erroneously stated several times on his Saturday Morning November
25th, 2006 WABC radio show that Richards was Jewish when in fact
Richards is not Jewish. Please click on
http://www.wabcradio.com/contactus.asp
to email Mark Simone, who is a very good person, but was misinformed
on this issue, and other WABC radio personalities about this issue,
etc.
Please also call WABC Radio and get on the air about this and other
issues at 1 800 848-WABC. And please call other talk shows around
the country about it, and other issues too.
Michael Richards is not a Jew.
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=16838

As Cosmo Kramer in "Seinfeld," Richards played one on TV. But he
himself is not Jewish—not that there's anything wrong with that.

Richards lashed out a heckler at the Laugh Factory last Friday,
spitting out the "N" word without humor and with abandon. Audience
members booed, several walked out, then Richards himself walked off
stage.

The incident was caught on a cellphone camera and posted at the
TMZ.com Web site, where it ignited a firestorm of criticism against
Richards. Richards apologized on "The Late Show With David
Letterman" Monday night. "I was at a comedy club trying to do my
act, and I got heckled, and I took it badly and went into a rage,"
he said. "For me to be in a comedy club and flip out and say this
crap, I'm deeply, deeply sorry. I'm not a racist. That's what's so
insane about this."

Fellow comedians and fans have been quick to criticize Richards—and
misrepresent his religious background. Comedian Paul Rodriquez held
a press conference at the Laugh Factory, saying that Richards should
know better, because the Hollywood community defended Jews against
actor Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic tirades.

The implication was that Richards, a Jew, should not be launching
racist attacks. He shouldn't, but he also isn't Jewish.

"Someone needs to tell Rodriquez that Michael isn't a Jew," said a
television director who has known Richards for years. The two worked
together in 1980 on ABC's "Fridays" television show and have
remained in touch ever since.

According to sources familiar with Richards, the actor was raised
Catholic. A biography of him on the Wikipedia web site lists no
religion, but does say Richards is very involved in the Masons.

"Seinfeld" was Richards' first big break after a long and unlikely
rise to stardom.

According to Wikipedia, Richards was born in Culver City to William
Richards, an electrical engineer, and Phyllis (nee Nardozzi), a
medical records librarian. "Richards attended California Institute
of the Arts but received a bachelor's degree in drama from Evergreen
State College in 1975.

He was drafted during the Vietnam War and stationed in Germany , as
one of the co-directors of the V Corps Training Road Show. He
produced and directed shows dealing with race relations and drug
abuse. He then spent two years in the Army developing educational
skits and a couple more years `finding himself' at a commune in the
Santa Clara Mountains . He drove a bus and developed a stand-up
comedy act in 1979," according to the Web site.

In "Seinfeld," which aired from 1989-1998, Richards played Kramer, a
character based on show co-creator Larry David's former across-the-
hall neighbor, Kenny Kramer. The real Kramer is indeed of Jewish
heritage—not that there's anything wrong with that.

Richards did appear Sep. 14 at the Laugh Factory's evening of Jewish
comics, called, "The King Davids of Comedy." However, the management
made it clear at the time that Richards and the other major comic at
the event, Louis CK, were not part of that evening's themed show,
and that no photography would be permitted during their sets.

Following Richard's racist remarks, Laugh Factory owner Jamie Masada
posted this message on the company's Web site: "We do not support or
condone the inappropriate, hurtful and offensive comments that Mr.
Richards made on Friday night at the Laugh Factory.

"Mr. Richards was scheduled to appear on Saturday night and had
informed management of his intention to apologize for his hurtful
and unprofessional outburst from the previous night. He failed to do
so and disappointed us.

"We have made it clear that Mr. Richards is no longer welcomed here.
The Laugh Factory is a comedy club not a forum for personal
attacks."

Laugh Factory owner Masada is Jewish.

Confusion over Richards' heritage grew after the Anti-Defamation
League issued a press release Monday denouncing the actor's tirade.

"Richards' repeated use of the `n-word' and apparent reference to
lynching is offensive in any context. There is no excuse for such
insensitive and bigoted language. It has no place in a comedy club
and no place in America and must be clearly repudiated," the release
said.

"We hope Mr. Richards will now take a public stand against appeals
to racism and bigotry and publicly apologize for his poor judgment
in shouting them from the stage."

The release did not address Richard's own religion. In the past, the
ADL has regularly taken public stances against instances of racism
unrelated to anti-Semitism."

Answer 1

wow, what a long post,, basically while i can see your point that an error in identifying his birth/religion was made,, why would it be such a big issue? im sure people from all religions have made rants such as his,,,,,, are intelligent people going to think less of jewish people because he was labeled as one? of course not,,,, anyone who would associate his religion with his actions was already negative about that religion and not really playing with a full deck,,,, so why would you care what they thought?

Answer 2

Michael Richards Jewish

Answer 3

Thank you. As a Jew, I find it really unsettling that the media keeps saying Richards is Jewish. For 1) Richards isn't and 2) They never address other people as "Christian actor so-and-so" - there is no reason the media needs to be addressing him by his religion, anyway.

Besides, people are also reporting that Richards made anti-semitic remarks just days earlier.

Answer 4

It should be obvious to anyone who has been alert politically that Michael Richards probably is not Jewish. If he had been, the ADL would not have denounced his use of the N-word, and the Jew-controlled media would have covered up his tirade instead of making a mountain of that molehill.

So you can spare yourself the Great Crusade, buster.

Answer 5

dinn333 said it best!

A man's action has nothing to do with ethnicity. As it is an issue with you it feeds the problem as to stereotypes. We should not concern ourself because the fight we choose reflects the level we are on. Michael Richard's is also a Freemason and as much as we hate what happened we know it was the man and not the masonry.

Answer 6

He said he was at his barmitzvah! That Liar! I thought I saw him at Saint Rose!


Wait till "Happy Chanika 3" comes out! you listening Mr. Sandler

Answer 7

I submitted the story to the Netscape home page. We will see what happens.

Answer 8

Looks like this means a lot to you... but you're not really asking a question, are you?

Answer 9

well sir, you just did.