11/18/2024
At Federation YLD Big Event, Actor Jonah Platt Talks Jewish Advocacy, Career
Rachel Lappen, chief development officer at the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, asks Big Event guest speaker Jonah Platt questions about his Jewish identity and advocacy work. CJN Photo / Kirsten Beard
KIRSTEN BEARD | CJN
Article reprinted with permission from Cleveland Jewish News
The Jewish Federation of Cleveland hosted its Young Leadership Division Big Event featuring multiplatform creator, performer and actor Jonah Platt on Nov. 14 at Congregation Mishkan Or in Beachwood, where he discussed his career, his fight against anti-Jewish hate and his role as a global advocate in the entertainment industry.
“It was beautifully significant,” Avigayil Halberstam, event co-chair of the signature Federation event for Jewish young professionals, told the Cleveland Jewish News at the event. “Jonah has such a beautiful platform and he reaches so many different people. And tonight was a really beautiful turnout. So many different kinds of Jews in the room, and I’m just really proud of the event. It really was inspiring to all of us.”
The event, which was attended by over 200 people in their 20s, 30s and 40s, was also an opportunity to learn how to make a difference by contributing to the Federation’s 2025 Campaign for Jewish Needs.
A Ben-Gurion Society dinner was held before the main program of the event. The BGS empowers young adults to combine their knowledge, passion and resources to build a stronger Jewish community in Cleveland, Israel and around the world, according to the Federation’s website.
During the program, Platt, known for his roles in Broadway’s “Wicked” and the Oscar-nominated film “Being the Ricardos,” sat down in conversation with the Federation’s Chief Development Officer Rachel Lappen. Together, they delved into defining moments in his career that shaped his Jewish identity and advocacy work. Currently, Platt is producing his first feature film, “The Mensch,” a Jewish narrative, and hosts a podcast exploring Jewish identity called “Being Jewish with Jonah Platt.”
He explained that his advocacy began in spring 2021, during the violence between Israel and Gaza as misinformation spread about the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood and Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.
“I already had a little bit of a platform on social media, much smaller than it is right now, but something because of my entertainment work,” he said.
Before the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas surprise attack on Israel, Platt used social media to address misunderstandings about Jewish identity and religion, he said. After the attack, he shifted his focus to educating others about Israel’s history and widespread misconceptions.
“A day or two after Oct. 7, I did a live Q&A (where) I spent hours just answering people’s questions about Israel, Palestine, everything,” he said. “People found it extremely helpful.”
Over the past 14 months, Platt said he has made advocacy his primary focus. He also encouraged attendees to stop using the term “antisemitism” in favor of clearer language.
“They’ve (proved through) data testing it’s not an effective term,” Platt said. “It’s very opaque and academic. People can debate what it means instead of just saying what it is – anti-Jew hate, anti-Jew bigotry, anti-Jew racism – which is much clearer and much more arresting for somebody to be called or to hear.”
Platt also addressed his sense of responsibility in speaking up for the Jewish community. He expressed surprise and disappointment that more people in his industry don’t share this drive, but noted that there has been a shift in awareness since Oct. 7.
“I say this a lot, but people always wonder, ‘What would I have done during the Holocaust?’” Platt said. “Obviously, we’re not in the Holocaust right now, but we are having very similar events taking place to what was happening in the early 30s around the Jewish community. What you are doing now is what you would have done then. If you aren’t speaking up now, you wouldn’t have spoken up then.”
Platt is the brother of Ben Platt, who originated the title role in the Broadway musical, “Dear Evan Hansen.” He is also the son of Julie Platt, the national chair of the Jewish Federations of North America.
Platt also shared how his entertainment career began as a driver for Greg Daniels, the showrunner of “The Office” and “Parks and Recreation.” That role eventually led to writing opportunities and roles in TV and theater. His breakout moment came with a principal role in the musical “Hair” at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles.
“I was the only non-celebrity to have a principal role,” he said. “Being on that stage at that time of my life, in that role, was a major sort of high-profile boost for me. I was well-reviewed in the role, and I just so happened to meet my wife in those 10 days of rehearsal and doing that show. So that was an extremely impactful moment.”
Reflecting on the YLD event, Platt told the CJN of the importance of community engagement and advocacy. He also said he is flying to Boston next week to sing the national anthems for a Magen David Adom event with actor Lior Raz.
“This is why I do what I do, to reach and inspire people and empower people,” Platt said. “I just hope the people here tonight will take something from what I said with them that will make them feel more comfortable and prouder and stronger in their identity, so that they can be their full authentic self and be more Jewish out in the world. That’s what we need. I know it’s what people want, but they sometimes just need a little kick in the pants.”
