



– Lena Dunham, the creator of HBO’s hit show “Girls,” is facing criticism for an article she penned for the New Yorker magazine.

The article is a quiz entitled “Dog or Jewish Boyfriend.”

It lists a number of statements and asks readers to identify which of the two they refer to.

Among the statements that are drawing criticism are “He doesn’t tip and he never brings his wallet anywhere,” “In fact, he has hair all over his body, like most males who share his background,” “In addition, he is openly hostile toward the Hasidic community, focusing most of his rage on their bulky (but chic) fur hats,” and “He comes from a culture in which mothers focus every ounce of their attention on their offspring and don’t acknowledge their own need for independence as women. They are sucked dry by their children, who ultimately leave them as soon as they find suitable mates. As a result of this dynamic, he expects to be waited on hand and foot by the women in his life, and anything less than that makes him whiny and distant.”

The Anti-Defamation league called the article “tasteless,” adding it “plays with offensive stereotypes” about Jews.

“Humor is a matter of taste, and people can disagree if it is funny or not. Some will certainly find offensive Lena Dunham’s stereotypes about cheap Jews offensive. Others will take issue with the very idea of comparing a dog and a Jewish boyfriend,” said Abraham Foxman, ADL National Director. “The piece is particularly troubling because it evokes memories of the ‘No Jews or Dogs Allowed’ signs from our own early history in this country, and also because, in a much more sinister way, many in the Muslim world today hatefully refer to Jews as ‘dogs.'”

“We doubt that Ms. Dunham had any intention of evoking such comparisons,” Foxman added. “While we understand that humor is its own special brand of expression and always try to give leeway to comedians, we wish that she had chosen another, less insensitive way to publicly reflect on her boyfriend’s virtues and vices. We are surprised that the New Yorker chose to print it.”

The article prompted a backlash on social media, with many taking to Twitter to vent their feelings:

@HBO should drop @lenadunham for her nazi-like article in @NewYorker and editor should be fired for printing it. — The Israeli Outlook (@israelioutlook) March 27, 2015

Imagine @lenadunham had used word "Black" in place of "Jewish" would she have written that racist piece? Would @NewYorker have printed it? — The Israeli Outlook (@israelioutlook) March 27, 2015

@lenadunham DO YOU KNOW THAT JEWS WERE BARRED FROM BEACHES&CLUBS WITH SIGNS THAT READ "NO DOGS OR JEWS ALLOWED!"?Very disappointed/offended. — Daniel Klimitz (@Klimz) March 27, 2015

@lenadunham wilful contributor to the racism and active hate towards Jews in the world. I'm so disgusted! — Sunday Sunnie Walt (@heysunnie7) March 27, 2015

@lenadunham truly disappointed in a comedian I used to like, not only equating dogs to jews but also making fun of eating disorders — Hannah Davidoff (@HannahDavidoff) March 27, 2015

@lenadunham If you think so little of a boyfriend, maybe blame yourself for your horrible taste in men, not his #Jewish heritage. #MoTPride — AlaskaALK (@AlaskaALK) March 27, 2015

I mean we already knew Lena Dunham was a moron and loves to offend as many people as possible but this is a new low. http://t.co/pK29RTwYvQ — Trey Chaffin (@trey_chaffin) March 27, 2015

Not everyone believed the article is anti-Semitic.

in defense of @lenadunham, i have a jewish boyfriend and thought your piece was HILARIOUS. i don't think it should be read as offensive — Sydney Garfinkel (@cinnygarf) March 27, 2015