Actor Adam Brody, known for his role as Rabbi Noah Roklov in the Netflix series "Nobody Wants This," has recently faced scrutiny for his public statements concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza. These comments have prompted a strong reaction from a real-life rabbi who advised on the production of the show.
During a recent interview with GQ, Brody articulated his perspective on the situation involving Israel and Gaza. He stated, "Put me down as thinking it's a genocide. Put me down as wanting a free Palestine. It's awful that it's taken so much death and misery, but it does feel like it's reaching a breaking point that it should have a while ago."
These remarks quickly drew the attention of Rabbi Steve Leder, a prominent Los Angeles-based spiritual leader. Leder had provided consultation for the first season of "Nobody Wants This," offering guidance on the accurate portrayal of Judaism and Brody's character as a rabbi. In response to Brody's interview, Rabbi Leder posted a video on Instagram, expressing strong disapproval of the actor's comments, which he characterized as "flippant."
Critiquing the Use of "Genocide"
Rabbi Leder specifically highlighted that the term "genocide" carries a precise legal definition. He contended that Brody's application of the word to the events in Gaza was inaccurate. Leder cited the United Nations' definition, which describes genocide as acts committed "with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group."
The rabbi's primary concern with Brody's statements was the manner in which the actor presented his personal views as undisputed facts.
"This is where I felt that Adam Brody went terribly wrong. He presented an opinion as a fact. And that is a mistake for any of us who are in the public eye," Leder remarked.
In "Nobody Wants This," Brody portrays a rabbi who develops a romantic relationship with an agnostic woman, played by Kristen Bell. The storyline is loosely inspired by the real-life romance between the show's creator, Erin Foster, and her husband, Simon Tikhman.
Brody is not the only Jewish public figure to describe Israel's actions in Gaza as "genocide." Other notable individuals, such as Hannah Einbinder from "Hacks" and Ilana Glazer of "Broad City" fame, have also voiced strong criticisms of Israel.
The Blurring Lines of Role and Reality
Rabbi Leder further elaborated on his decision to respond publicly, explaining that his involvement in the production of "Nobody Wants This," which focused on Jewish representation, compelled him to address the issue. He noted that Brody's portrayal of a rabbi, a role that has introduced many viewers to aspects of Jewish culture, made the situation particularly sensitive.
Leder described the confluence of Brody's role and his public comments as "doubly heartbreaking." He emphasized the public's occasional difficulty in separating an actor from their on-screen persona.
"Actors are not their roles, and we all understand that, they're acting. But in the minds of the public, in the mind of much of the pubic, it's sometimes hard to separate those two things," he explained. "And when you have someone who is imagined — and I use that word deliberately — imagined to be an authority presenting opinions as facts, it's doubly painful."
Ultimately, Leder advised public figures to refrain from commenting on subjects about which they lack sufficient knowledge. In the video he shared shortly after Brody's interview, Rabbi Leder asserted, "If you know nothing about something, you should say nothing."
