Time Magazine’s Most Influential People of 2022 list was released this past Monday (May 23), and the list includes many Jewish names and faces spread throughout its categories. While not necessarily a list devoid of infamy – the ranking includes Vladimir Putin as well as controversial figures like Florida governor Ron DeSantis – the Time 100 is the list of people making and shaping news stories and culture in 2022.
Naturally, this list includes Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who has been vocal and proud about his Jewish heritage, including his family who perished in the Holocaust. Ukrainian-Jewish Mila Kunis, whose fundraiser benefitting Ukraine has famously netted $30 million plus and counting, is also included in the list, as are Saturday Night Live comedian Pete Davidson, just announced to be leaving after seven years on the show, and Hungarian-Jewish Andrew Jassy, Amazon’s new CEO.
This year’s Time 100 list also features Jews of Color. In the “Artists” section, Zoë Kravitz, fresh off of “The Batman” success as Catwoman (NSFW) with a sequel deal already in the works, an upcoming directorial debut with a thriller from MGM, and a rapidly solidifying place as a prolific fashion brand ambassador, is featured with a glowing write-up by Reese Witherspoon. Zoë is already a wave-making fashionista who’s been on everyone’s mind (and search results) this year – and showing no signs of slowing down.
Another Jew of Color gracing the Time 100, in the “Innovators” section is Māori Jewish actor/filmmaker/director Taika Waititi, whose write-up by Sacha Baron Cohen opines that Waititi “represents the best of the bygone era of wild, rock-star Hollywood types, mixed with the brilliance of a top auteur” – before veering into a comic clincher. Waititi drew attention to his Jewish heritage with the release of his JoJo Rabbit, in which a Hitler Youth member finds out his mother (played by Scarlett Johansson) is hiding a Jewish girl in their attic. His current success with MCU’s Thor series is set to continue with the July 8 release of Thor: Love and Thunder. His highly anticipated “mysterious” Star Wars feature film is “first up” on Lucasfilm’s upcoming calendar of Star Wars releases, and he has five other projects in the works.
As Jews of Color become more influential in more spheres, our representation in the Time 100 will undoubtedly grow: two should be seen as a minimum, not as a ceiling or a laurel upon which to rest. Congratulations to Zoë Kravitz, Taika Waititi, and all the other Time 100 honorees – Jewish and non-Jewish alike.
