READER MAILBAG #1

Let's answer some questions from all Across the Yoniverse...

While the world eagerly awaits the latest news on what’s happening in Iran¹, I’d like to try out a new feature here on my Substack: READER MAILBAG. Earlier this week, I put out a notice for readers to ask questions about pretty much anything they’d like my analysis on — geopolitics, culture, etc. Many thanks to those who participated and gave me some great material to work with.² Without further ado, let’s open some mail:

Q: “What is Jewish life like in America in 50 years?”

-Evan

In the year 2076, here’s how I see the Jewish landscape:

Since social media will probably keep existing, I expect the country (and world at large) to continue getting more and more polarized. The election of Zohran Mamdani³ opened the door to putting people in power with previously unelectable ideologies. While he could end up a one-term mayor, others will certainly follow in his footsteps around the country. Unabashed hatred of Israel and association with rabid extremists are no longer taboo like they once were. I expect that with the continuation of today’s trends, in the future, certain cities will simply be unsafe for Jews while others will be more welcome, a bit like Europe is today. You can wear a kippah on the streets of Prague, but doing so in Paris or London is far riskier.⁴ This will also continue to affect universities, and it will be an unwritten rule that Jews simply won’t go to certain schools, while others will be safe havens.

At the same time, I think loud and proud Jews will enter politics in a way previously unseen, as a sort of counterpart to all this. The ambitious young activist Shabbos Kestenbaum, an outspoken Orthodox Jew, is one name to look out for in future politics. The days of staying on the sideline and assimilating are likely over. I think we’ll see this continue to play out culturally, as every musical artist, actor, and influencer will stake out a position on Jews and Israel at some point in their careers and everyone will be forced onto one team or the other. I suspect many Jewish people will tire of this dynamic and many will move to Israel.

Oh, and flying Mitzvah Tanks will buzz around and ask if you put on tefillin yet.

Q: What did you think of Marty Supreme?

-Catherine

Much like Uncut Gems, this latest Safdie brother production feels like a 2.5 hour stress dream. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as it’s fast paced, visually compelling, absurd, surreal, and a showcase for some great performances. Timmy Chalamet acts his little heart out and you can feel how badly he wants that Oscar. But the real thrill for me was watching Mr. Wonderful (Kevin O’Leary from Shark Tank) steal the show. Who knew that being a pompous wealthy businessman all these years was really just preparing him for the role of a lifetime as a pompous wealthy businessman.

"For those reasons, I'm out."

Anyway, if you want to see a movie with great actors and big expensive set pieces, go to the theater and see Marty Supreme. It might not change your life, but there’s an iconic spanking scene (I won’t say more) so what else do you really need?

Q: “What’s going on with Jews in Iran right now?”

-Harrison

With a complete internet blackout, we don’t really know what’s going on with anyone right now, aside from reports that as many as 20,000 may have already been murdered. I do have one story to relay from a Persian Jewish friend of mine. He was at a party with a friend whose mother still lives in Tehran. He tried calling her on the phone, but when a voice answered on the other side, it wasn’t his mother’s. It seemed to be either someone else tapping the call, or an AI voice. Creepy. The regime is really doing all it can to keep their people in the dark and keep their crimes undocumented.

Q: “Why are you still single?”

-Linnea

How much did my mom pay you to ask that?

Q: “What happens after we die?”

-Abri

I do have the answer, but you have to become a paid subscriber for that one.

Alright, that was fun. If you’d like to have a question featured in a future Mailbag post, feel free to send me a message! Thanks for reading, and see you next week, hopefully with a FREE IRAN.

1. Or in the case of the Free Palestine movement, “Why, what’s happening in Iran?”

2. And less thanks to my friends who trolled me with questions that would get them severely canceled if I printed them here lol

3. And there’s my Mamdani Mention of the Week. He somehow finds a way into every week’s essay…

4. This dynamic already exists between New York and Miami.