Jewish American Playmate: Is a Nude Jewish Centerfold Really a Watershed for American Judaism?

Publication Date: December 2001

Publisher: National Jewish Center for Learning and Leadership (U.S.)

Author(s): Bradley Hirschfield

Research Area: Culture and religion; Media, telecommunications, and information

Keywords: Jewish Identification; Sexuality; Empowerment; Media

Type: Brief

Coverage: United States

Abstract:

In this interview, Bradley Hirschfield, the Vice-President of CLAL, discusses the backlash against Lindsey Vuolo, a Playboy centerfold who is not only openly nude, but openly Jewish. Mr. Hirschfield discusses how the backlash is a representation of the Jewish community's discomfort with seeing a beautiful Jewish body in mainstream media. He asserts that the emergence of Vuolo and her positive Jewish identification is a step in the right direction for human sexuality in the Jewish realm.