AUDIO: Gary Shteyngart, Are Jews White?

Gary Shteyngart, Dan Friedman and Ab Cahan contemplate whiteness. Image by Jono Bernstein

By Dan Friedman October 31, 2018

Ten years ago I interviewed Gary Shteyngart for a profile in Zeek. At the time his hair was brown and mine covered my head. In the time since then he has continued to put out books at a steady rate of one every three or four years. His earlier novels (“Absurdistan” and “The Russian Debutante’s Handbook”) were about Americans’ crazy adventures in the disintegrating Soviet Empire. His most recent two novels have dealt with dystopian visions of America, especially related to the unhealthy distribution and importance of money and credit.

I sat down for an hour long chat with Shteyngart to discuss parenthood, dystopias and the importance of living near Canada, but while we’re polishing up the podcast, first, here’s where I ask him whether Jews — like him and Ben Stiller — are white.

Produced by Jono Bernstein

Dan Friedman is the former executive editor and whisky correspondent of the Forward, and is the author of a book about Tears for Fears, the ’80s emo rock band.

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