All the Jews Called In Sick

by Steven Smith

posted 07.11.05

One of the strangest bits of fear-based prejudice that followed 9/11 was the rumor that on the morning of the attacks, all of the Jews working at the World Trade Center called in sick. This allegation could easily be dismissed on face, if not for all the incidents in recent memory when “all of the Jews” called in sick.

• May 30, 1988: All of the Jews call in sick for Tommy O’Flanagan’s eighth birthday party.

• December 20, 1976: All of the Jews call in sick for Middlebury Elementary School’s winter pageant.

• October 15, 1996: All of the Jews call in sick for the 17th Annual Chappaqua County Rhubarb Pie Eating Contest.

• July 17, 1983: All of the Jews call in sick for the Cloverwood Neighborhood Watch.

• March 30, 2001: All of the Jews call in sick for a city council meeting, claiming that they have work in the morning.