Debra Messing joins Sydney as JCA launches largest appeal

American actress and Jewish advocate Debra Messing told attendees at the JCA Annual Campaign Event that after October 7 standing up for the Jewish community was no longer an option.

Appearing in conversation with Sky News journalist Sharri Markson, Messing, who grew up as one of three Jews in her school system in Rhode Island, said she hid her Judaism as a child after experiencing antisemitism, including a classmate using an antisemitic slur, a swastika being painted on her grandfather’s car and property damage at her home.

“I learned very quickly that in order to feel safe I had to stay silent about my identity,” Messing said, recalling that on Jewish High Holy Days, it was easier to say she was sick than to deal with the hatred that would follow the real explanation.

She said she had later asked for her character in the television series Will & Grace to be Jewish.

“I want her to be as Jewish as possible, I want everything,” she said. “I recognised that while we were trying to change hearts and minds around the gay community, that there was an opportunity to change hearts and minds around Jews and the Jewish community, and I felt like it was my responsibility to do so.” Messing explained that she started receiving letters from young females, expressing their gratitude that they could finally see themselves reflected on mainstream television. To this day, she said, it’s one of the things she is most proud of.