A Jewish Cartoonist Goes Viral After Paris Attacks — With an Important Message
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
Digital Fellow Lior Zaltzman November 16, 2015
Like many artists, Joann Sfar’s way of interacting with the world and processing his reality is drawing. The Jewish artist is incredibly prolific. Those who have met Sfar in passing have told me that it’s hard to find him not drawing. Which is why, when the attacks in Paris happened this past Friday, his response was swift and artful.
He posted a series of images on In a particularly popular one he asked people simply not to pray for Paris: “Our faith goes to music! Kissing! Life! Champagne and joy!”
He started a new hashtag #ParisisaboutLife , which already has over 2000 images attached to it.
But here is why what Sfar is saying shouldn’t be confused for an attack on religion. It is not. It is simply his battle cry. When it’s hard to find solutions from politicians, when talking heads and political candidates seem hollow and self-serving, what are we to do?
As an artist and as a cartoonist, the answer is — his answer is — keep drawing, keep creating, keep living. Keep making the world beautiful and interesting. Keep bringing into the world the things that are vital and alive, in the face of ISIS, people who destroy life, who destroy beauty, who destroy culture and history. When ISIS destroys historical artifacts and attacks cultural centers, our response should be to create more.
Other artists are heading his call. Famous French musician Christine and the Queens wrote on Twitter: “I spent hours thinking about what to do — and the only answer that seemed legitimate to me was — music.”
J’ai passé la nuit à réfléchir à ce que je pouvais faire. Ce qui me semble légitime : la musique. 1 radio éphémère avec artistes invités 1/2
— Christine&theQueens (@QueensChristine) November 14, 2015
“The hardest thing in the face of brutality,” he writes in “Si Dieux Exist,” “is to keep drawing loving things.”
And it really is hard. But it is also so important. I most certainly will try my best to keep drawing loving, lively things. It’s not a lot, it’s not enough, but it is what we can do. And so, we shall.
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
That’s why I’m paying it Forward, by matching $36,000 of reader gifts. It’s an investment in the Forward’s newsroom, to continue telling the American Jewish story with truth and independence.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
