Though tomorrow’s DNC schedule hasn’t been released yet, there’s been word three surprise guests will headline the evening: actresses Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, and Kerry Washington. While some commentators have already suggested that these picks are a clear attempt to appeal to young women voters, they’ve neglected another demographic being pandered to: Jews.
After all, Portman and Johansson are two of Hollywood’s most prominent Jewish starlets. And both are renowned for their Jewish literacy and commitment. While an undergraduate, Portman served as a research assistant on Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz’s bestseller, The Case for Israel (she is credited under her real name, Natalie Hershlag). And Johansson is famed for her wide knowledge of Jewish ethnic foods and willingness to sing the Dreidel Song on MTV.
The actresses will have their work cut out for them. New polling by the Pew Research Center indicates that the RNC’s surprise Hollywood guest, Clint Eastwood, was deemed the “highlight” of the convention by most Republican viewers—even moreso than the speech from nominee Mitt Romney. Can Portman and Johansson measure up? Stay tuned.
Yair Rosenberg is a senior writer at Tablet. Subscribe to his newsletter, listen to his music, and follow him on Twitter and Facebook.
