MORNING MUSINGS
Oh Mandy… (Patinkin)
Peter Himmelman
July 16, 2025

…Patinkin has always traded in his Jewishness. It’s been central to his appeal, his artistry, and his image. But in this moment, that identity may need to be reframed: not erased, but softened for progressive sensibilities. Not forgoing Yiddish (that wouldn’t be right), but publicly accusing Israel of genocide. Who can be sure about his motivations—or anyone else’s? Maybe Patinkin meant every word. Maybe it was heartfelt. Or maybe it was also a way to re-enter the cultural conversation with the right emphasis, at the right time. It’s been a while since anyone had been talking about him. In the video, Patinkin delivers a sweeping moral indictment—not of Hamas, not of terror, not of the massacre—but of Israel. “To watch what is happening… for the Jewish people to allow this to happen to children and civilians of all ages in Gaza… is unconscionable and unthinkable.” READ MORE

TIMES OF ISRAEL Mandy Patinkin draws fire for saying Israel doing to Gaza what was once done to Jews Jewish-American actor tells NYT of getting bad ‘vibe’ from Netanyahu in chance 1980s meeting; wife Kathryn Grody says antisemitism claims being used to silence criticism of Israel