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Heeb
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Heeb
CategoriesSatirical magazine/website; Jewish themes
FrequencyQuarterly (magazine); daily (weblog)
First issue2001
Final issue2010 (magazine); weblog ongoing
CompanyHeeb Media, LLC
CountryUSA
LanguageEnglish
Websiteheebmagazine.com

Heeb is an American Jewish website (and from 2001[1] to 2010, a quarterly magazine) aimed predominantly at young Jews. The name of the publication is a reference to the ethnic slur "heeb", an abbreviation of Hebrew. However, in this case, the word "heeb" seeks to function as empowerment for the Jewish community, thus eliminating the hatred associated with the word.

Origin

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The magazine was founded by Jennifer Bleyer, a graduate of Columbia University,[2][3] and backed financially by Steven Spielberg and Charles Bronfman.[4] Bleyer, who now writes for The New York Times, ended her association with the magazine in 2003.[5] Taking over for her as editor and publisher was Harvard Divinity School graduate Joshua Neuman. Neuman's goal was to spread the idea of Heeb as a "lifestyle magazine", incorporating events like a traveling Heeb Storytelling show in order to reach an underserved Jewish progressive market around the country.[6] The magazine's subtitle was "The New Jew Review".[7]

Highlights

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It has become known for its satire and sardonic approach to reaching Jewish readers of all streams. In a late 2006 edition, a live pig was photographed running across a traditional Sabbath dinner table. Heeb’s satirist, David Deutsch, who used his own table to stage the photos asked his rabbi if it were kosher to use a live pig on his table for this purpose, as pig meat is considered unkosher. His rabbi said it wasn't a problem, but recommended that he wash the table afterwards.

The magazine is decidedly anti-establishment and left-wing.[8] It frequently criticizes mainstream American Jewish culture, most famously in an article entitled "Joe Lieberman is a Dickhead."[9] The author of the piece took Lieberman to task for favoring an increase in military spending. Other writers who have contributed to Heeb include Allen Salkin, who wrote "Where Have You Gone Sandy Koufax?",[10] an article about Jews obsessed with Jews in sports, and "Why are We So Guilty?".[citation needed]

Heeb has produced events around the world, including the Heeb Storytelling series.[11] The series has been attended by Natalie Portman, Rose McGowan, Kate Beckinsale and Colin Farrell.[12]

In March 2004, in its fifth issue, Heeb featured the photo spread entitled Crimes of Passion[13] that spoofed Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. The spread included a half naked Virgin Mary (with pierced nipples) and a Jesus with his genitals wrapped in a tallit.[14]

The Catholic League, in its 2004 Report on Anti-Catholicism stated:

The Jewish magazine Heeb published a 10-page photo feature in its Winter 2004 edition mocking Mel Gibson's movie 'The Passion of the Christ' called 'Back Off, Braveheart'. The editors who introduced the spread said that the death of Jesus was 'summarily blamed upon the Jews', until this 'fondly held belief seemed destined to fade forever' after Vatican II. A sexually suggestive Jesus played by artist Carlos J. Da Silva wears a Jewish prayer shawl as a loin cloth, and the Blessed Mother was shown exposing her breasts and body piercing. The occupation of the model photographed as Mary Magdalene was described as 'Evangelist-cum-nymphomaniac country singer'. She was quoted as saying, 'Who killed Jesus? Ryan Adams.' The woman who was photographed as Pontius Pilate was quoted as saying, 'Christians believe the Jews killed Jesus; that is why there is so much anti-Semitism in the world. The church was created on that one simple anti-Semitic principle. Christians who say otherwise are making it up or misrepresenting their own religion.'[15]

Abraham Foxman, director of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) published a letter to Heeb decrying the spread as "blasphemous to both Christians and Jews".[16]

On the April 27, 2004, episode of The Daily Show, Jon Stewart remarked "the best solution to international terrorism? The giveaway. For any international terrorist who turns himself in—a free lifetime subscription to Heeb."

On June 17, 2004, the Chicago Tribune named Heeb one of America's "50 best magazines."[17]

In 2005, Ramones front man, Joey Ramone, posthumously received the Heeb Magazine Lifetime Achievement Award at the first Jewish Music Awards.[18]

In January 2006, Heeb was included as part of the Library of Congress' exhibition "350 Years of Jewish Life in America."[19]

A March 28, 2007, feature in The New York Times Business Section spotlighted how Heeb did creative work for advertisers seeking to reach a young Jewish demographic. The article was accompanied by a photo of three men dressed as Hasidic versions of characters from A Clockwork Orange.[20]

Robert Crumb and wife Aline Kominsky-Crumb illustrated the cover of the magazine's "Love Issue" in the Spring of 2007. As Aline told the magazine in an interview: "I had read Robert's work before I met him and I thought he was Jewish because he's just so whiny."[21]

Rush Hour director Brett Ratner guest edited Heeb's 2008 Summer Edition and included what the magazine claimed to be the first-ever Jewish swimsuit calendar, for the Jewish year 5769, "The Ladies of '69."[22] The calendar was photographed by Elle magazine cover photographer Gilles Bensimon and featured Israeli supermodels Bar Refaeli, Esti Ginzberg and Moran Atias, among others.[23] Ratner also photographed director Roman Polanski at Auschwitz, the site of the Polish-born director's mother's murder during the Holocaust.

In the Fall of 2008, Heeb released its "Politics Issue."[24] The cover, a group of coins being dropped into a hand, was designed by Shepard Fairey's Studio Number One and was a play on Fairey's iconic Obama "Change" image.[25]

In Heeb's Winter 2008 edition, Courtney Love told Heeb of ex-husband Kurt Cobain's legacy: "Every time you buy a Nirvana record, part of that money is not going to Kurt's child, or to me, it's going to a handful of Jew loan officers, Jew private banks, it's going to lawyers who are also bankers...."[26][27]

In 2009 Heeb released an anthology from its Heeb Storytelling Series titled Sex, Drugs & Gefilte Fish.[28] In 2009 and 2010, Heeb published its countdown list of "The 100 Greatest Jewish Movie Moments," which awarded its top spot to The Big Lebowski.[29][30]

Heeb ceased publishing the print edition of its magazine in 2010, but continues to publish a daily weblog.[31][32]

Trademark controversy

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Heeb Media, LLC has owned the trademark registration for Heeb magazine publications since 29 June 2004.[33][34] On 1 February 2005, the application was submitted to receive another registration number for the use of Heeb for apparel and entertainment.[35] The original application was denied under Section 2(a) of the Trademark Act, 15 U.S.C.§1052(a).[36][37][38] Heeb Media submitted an appeal to the Trademark Trail and Appeal Board (TTAB) at the US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) on 26 November 2008, but it was officially denied and abandoned in June 2009.[35] As record of evidence, Heeb Media submitted letters of their own, which stated that the magazine, although criticised by some Jewish and non-Jewish communities that may take offence to the name Heeb, it is widely accepted among the Jewish student population.[33][39] The Administrative Trademark judge, Karen Kuhlke stated in the official comments that although the applicant submitted sufficient information, it was still not foreseeable to justify the term Heeb as something non-derogative.[33] Kuhlke was also the judge for the Redskins appeal in 2014, in which she cited the Heeb case.[39]

Roseanne Barr controversy

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In 2009, Heeb produced its controversial Germany Issue in which Roseanne Barr posed as Adolf Hitler in drag holding a tray of "burned Jew cookies." The photo invoked the ire of Bill O'Reilly on Fox's The O'Reilly Factor.[40] According to Heeb's publisher at the time, Joshua Neuman,[41] it was intended as means to see if joking about Nazis and the Holocaust still evoked the same reactions as in past years.[42][43] In 2011 Barr stated that it was intended to show that the Holocaust is just an every day thing and it is something that needs to be stopped. Additional controversy about the photos intentions came about in 2018 after the "Roseanne" revival aired and they were questioned during an interview.[44][45][46][47] Barr posted on social media, defending her position, but it was not taken lightly by viewers and through her comments to do so she made offensive remarks which resulted in ABC cancelling the show.[43][46][48][49]

Contributors

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References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
is an American Jewish media outlet known for its irreverent and satirical portrayal of Jewish culture, originally launched as a quarterly print magazine from 2001 to 2010 and revived in 2025 as a nonprofit digital platform producing podcasts, video series, live events, and occasional print issues targeted at younger audiences. Founded in Brooklyn by Jennifer Bleyer with initial funding from Joshua Venture, the magazine quickly gained notoriety for its provocative content, including celebrity interviews with figures like the Beastie Boys, an early feature on Drake, and controversial photo shoots such as Roseanne Barr depicted as Hitler baking "Jew" cookies or Sarah Silverman posing nude behind a sheet with a strategic hole. Circulation peaked at around 25,000 copies per issue, making it one of the highest-circulating Jewish publications during its print run, though it faced criticism for content like a spoof of The Passion of the Christ that drew rebuke from the Anti-Defamation League and for its name, a slang term for "Jew" deemed derogatory by some, leading to initial trademark registration refusals. Print publication suspended in 2010 amid financial difficulties and the shift to , with the outlet transitioning online before largely going dormant by 2019; the 2025 relaunch under Heeb Media, led by Mik Moore, emphasizes collaborations with creators, archival content revival, and bridging generational gaps in Jewish cultural expression while seeking $300,000–$400,000 in funding to support multimedia projects.

History

Founding and Launch

Heeb magazine was founded in 2001 by Jennifer Bleyer, a graduate of , as a quarterly print publication aimed at young, culturally engaged seeking an irreverent alternative to traditional Jewish media. The project originated as a in , reflecting a cohort of Gen X writers and artists intent on subverting stereotypes through provocative content. Bleyer secured seed funding via the Joshua Venture fellowship, supported by philanthropies including Steven Spielberg's Righteous Persons Foundation and the Andrea and Philanthropies, enabling the transition from to professional . This backing facilitated the production of the inaugural issue, which debuted on newsstands in early 2002. The launch was marked by a party in on February 5, 2002, attended by editorial staff, celebrities, and supporters, signaling Heeb's entry into the cultural landscape as a bold, satirical voice for emerging . The magazine's name, derived from the ethnic slur "heeb," was chosen to reclaim and redefine it, aligning with its mission to challenge conventions. Heeb's print edition debuted with its inaugural issue in winter 2002 and ran quarterly until suspending in 2010, encompassing nine years of production and a total of 21 issues. The distributed through subscriptions and select independent outlets, achieving circulations that peaked at 25,000 for the final print issue amid broader industry challenges. During this era, Heeb maintained its focus on irreverent Jewish cultural commentary, with each issue typically featuring 80 pages of articles, interviews, and visuals that blended humor, , and emerging trends.

Decline and Transition to Digital

In 2010, Heeb magazine faced mounting financial pressures amid a broader contraction in print revenue, exacerbated by the lingering effects of the 2008 economic recession on niche publications. Circulation and ad sales had declined sufficiently to render continued print operations unsustainable, prompting publisher and Josh Neuman to suspend the quarterly print edition after nine years of production. The decision was announced on August 26, 2010, via the magazine's website in an article titled "So Much for Controlling the Media," which cited the challenging advertising climate as the primary factor. Heeb's small scale and irreverent focus on limited its appeal to mainstream advertisers, contributing to the shortfall. Following the suspension, Heeb closed its Brooklyn offices and shifted exclusively to digital operations to preserve its brand presence at reduced cost. Neuman committed to maintaining an active with ongoing contributions from writers and artists, positioning the as an hub for satirical Jewish content rather than a traditional . This transition aligned with industry trends where independent titles increasingly abandoned print for web-based models to adapt to reader preferences for digital access and lower distribution expenses. However, the online edition saw irregular updates in subsequent years, reflecting ongoing resource constraints for the volunteer-driven and contributor-supported platform.

Recent Revival Efforts

In March 2025, Heeb announced its relaunch as Heeb Media, a focused on production, fifteen years after the magazine's final print issue in 2010. The revival is led by digital strategist Mik Moore, who emphasized maintaining the original publication's irreverent style while adapting to contemporary formats such as , podcasts, live events, and collaborations with social media creators. Heeb Media positions itself as an independent entity showcasing "subversive ," with an component selling archived back issues and merchandise uncovered during the reboot process. The initiative draws on nostalgia for the magazine's Gen X and millennial-era appeal, akin to a Jewish counterpart to , but prioritizes video and audio over print. As of early 2025, the project had generated media coverage highlighting its potential to recapture cultural relevance amid evolving Jewish media landscapes.

Editorial Content and Approach

Core Themes and Style

Heeb's editorial content centered on redefining for a younger, secular-leaning audience through irreverent humor, pop culture intersections, and satirical deconstructions of stereotypes, contrasting sharply with traditional Jewish publications' focus on , , and religious orthodoxy. The magazine explored themes of modern Jewishness as a cultural vibe rather than strict observance, profiling figures like and emerging artists while probing identity questions for those raised in suburban assimilation. This approach aimed to make Jewish topics "fun" and accessible, reclaiming slurs like "heeb" to foster a subversive community vibe amid countercultural trends. Stylistically, Heeb adopted a glossy, provocative format with bold graphics, sardonic writing, and a hipster edge that blended with lowbrow antics, self-describing as "The New Jew Review" to signal departure from staid commentary. Content often featured edgy interviews, photo shoots challenging taboos, and lists or essays that prioritized wit over reverence, targeting university-aged readers seeking cultural provocation over piety. While praised for intelligence and Jewish specificity, detractors argued the relentless cool-seeking diluted deeper substance into self-indulgent gloss.

Notable Publications and Interviews

Heeb magazine conducted several high-profile interviews with Jewish celebrities and cultural figures, emphasizing its signature irreverent and subversive approach to exploring . One prominent example was the 2009 interview with rapper Drake, billed as a discussion with "the world’s first black Jewish hip-hop star," which delved into his upbringing, Jewish heritage, and rising fame in hip-hop, conducted over dinner and highlighting his self-deprecating humor about ethnic stereotypes. Earlier issues featured in-depth conversations with intellectuals such as , , and , focusing on themes of , politics, and cultural critique, which contrasted the magazine's hipster aesthetic with substantive philosophical exchanges. In 2012, Heeb profiled reggae artist , examining his Orthodox Jewish faith, distinctive beard, and fusion of Hasidic spirituality with secular music, amid discussions of his evolving public image. Notable publications extended beyond interviews to include provocative photo spreads and essays, such as those blending with , though specific standout articles often intertwined with the interview format to challenge conventional narratives of Jewish success and assimilation. These pieces, appearing in quarterly print editions from 2002 to around , prioritized raw, unfiltered voices over polished orthodoxy, drawing from contributors who amplified marginalized or unconventional Jewish perspectives.

Reception and Cultural Impact

Positive Recognition and Achievements

Heeb garnered acclaim for its bold reinvention of Jewish media, blending irreverence with cultural commentary to engage younger audiences. On June 17, 2004, the selected it as one of America's 50 best magazines, praising the publication as "intelligent, provocative and oh-so Jewish" for its fresh take on contemporary . The magazine extended its influence through events and awards that highlighted Jewish contributions to . In 2005, Heeb presented the Lifetime Achievement Award to of the at the inaugural Jewish Music Awards, recognizing the late musician's impact as a Jewish pioneer in . This initiative underscored Heeb's role in bridging Jewish heritage with mainstream music scenes, drawing attention to underrepresented figures in rock history. Heeb's editorial approach fostered a cultural movement among urban, secular , helping to normalize edgy explorations of identity and tradition. Supported by early funding from initiatives like Joshua Venture, it contributed to a wave of projects that popularized Jewish coolness in the early , including live events such as nights and the annual Heebonism parties that attracted thousands. By interviewing high-profile Jewish figures and producing subversive content, Heeb reached an elusive 18-34 demographic, influencing subsequent Jewish media outlets focused on countercultural expression.

Criticisms and Debates

Heeb's style has drawn for undermining Jewish cultural seriousness, with detractors arguing that its satirical edge often prioritized hipster over substantive exploration of Jewish themes. A 2002 review in the Cleveland Jewish News described the magazine as trying "too hard to be cool and ," claiming this approach buried any potential meaningful content beneath a "self-adoring " that alienated readers seeking depth. The publication's provocative content frequently clashed with mainstream Jewish institutions, as evidenced by early conflicts with the over its iconoclastic depictions, which were seen as conflicting with communal sensitivities around Jewish representation. Observers in Jewish media outlets have noted that Heeb's self-conscious edginess generated ongoing controversy within the community, occasionally crossing into "obnoxious" territory without clear artistic or cultural justification. Debates surrounding Heeb center on its efficacy in fostering among younger demographics, with critics contending that its emphasis on celebrity interviews and ironic humor—such as profiling figures like —contrasted unfavorably with traditional Jewish periodicals' focus on geopolitical issues like and European , potentially fostering superficial engagement rather than rigorous intellectual commitment. Proponents, however, have defended the magazine's accessibility as a tool for reconnecting secular urban , though this view has been challenged by assertions that its irreverence risked normalizing slurs like "Heeb" without sufficient reclamation rationale, as highlighted in legal and cultural scrutiny over the term's disparaging connotations. These tensions reflect broader discussions on balancing with communal cohesion in Jewish media.

Trademark Registration Dispute

In 2005, Heeb Media, LLC filed U.S. Trademark Serial No. 78/558,043 seeking registration of the mark "HEEB" for clothing in International Class 25 and entertainment services in International Class 41, building on its prior registration of the mark for magazine publications approved in 2004. The U.S. and (USPTO) examining attorney refused the application under Section 2(a) of the (15 U.S.C. § 1052(a)), which bars registration of marks that may disparage or falsely suggest a connection with persons, institutions, beliefs, or national symbols, or bring them into contempt or disrepute. This refusal hinged on evidence that "heeb" (or "hebe") functions as a slang term, typically derogatory, denoting a Jewish person, as corroborated by multiple dictionary definitions and excerpts from news databases like NEXIS illustrating its offensive usage. Heeb Media contested , arguing that the term had been reclaimed by younger, urban Jewish audiences through the magazine's branding and cultural context, rendering it non-disparaging. To support this, the applicant submitted letters from more than 20 Jewish individuals and organizations, including readers and cultural figures, affirming they found no offense in the mark's use for the and its extensions; it also cited a 2005 entry referencing "Heeb" neutrally as the publication's name and highlighted the magazine's commercial success among its target demographic. Heeb Media further acknowledged awareness of the term's potential to offend some but maintained that intent to reframe it positively should prevail, absent evidence of intent to disparage. On October 30, 2008, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board (TTAB) affirmed the refusal in In re Heeb Media, LLC, 89 U.S.P.Q.2d 1071 (T.T.A.B. 2008), ruling that a "substantial composite" of the Jewish community—particularly post-college-age individuals—would perceive "HEEB" as disparaging, based on its established connotation and the lack of conclusive to and historical . The board rejected reclamation arguments, holding that the applicant's subjective and support from select subgroups do not negate the statutory bar when a notable portion of the referenced group views the mark negatively; it noted the prior registration but found the disparagement analysis applied independently to the new classes. No further appeal overturned the decision, leaving "HEEB" unregistered for clothing and entertainment services, though the case later underscored USPTO inconsistencies in disparagement enforcement, as referenced in subsequent challenges like those involving the Washington and trademarks.

Roseanne Barr Germany Issue Photoshoot

In the 2009 Germany-themed issue of Heeb magazine, comedian Roseanne Barr, who is Jewish, participated in a satirical photoshoot portraying her as a "Nazi domestic goddess." Barr, dressed with a Hitler-style mustache, swastika armband, and an apron, was depicted pulling a tray of burnt cookies labeled "gingerbread Jews" from an oven, in a setup evoking Holocaust imagery through exaggerated domestic absurdity. The concept originated from Barr's request, tied to her self-described theory that she might be the reincarnation of Adolf Hitler, aiming to explore themes of Jewish identity and historical trauma via dark humor. The photoshoot appeared on the cover and within the issue, released around July 2009, aligning with Heeb's irreverent, provocative style toward Jewish cultural topics. Heeb publisher Josh Neuman defended the feature in a July 30, 2009, statement, arguing it critiqued Nazi ideology by reducing Hitler to a failed homemaker, and emphasized the magazine's Jewish editorial control as a safeguard against genuine . Barr echoed this in her own defense, posting on her blog that the images satirized her "inner Nazi" impulses toward perfectionism, framing it as personal catharsis rather than minimization. Criticism erupted primarily from Jewish organizations and commentators, who condemned the imagery as trivializing genocide and risking normalization of Nazi symbols, even in satire. The Anti-Defamation League and others highlighted how such depictions could desensitize younger audiences to Holocaust history, outweighing any intended irony. Despite defenses rooted in Heeb's track record of boundary-pushing content by Jewish creators, the backlash underscored tensions between provocative art and historical sensitivity in ethnic media. The images resurfaced in 2018 amid Barr's separate public controversies, amplifying retrospective scrutiny but not altering the original 2009 context.

Key Figures and Contributors

Founders and Editors

Jennifer Bleyer founded Heeb magazine in 2001 as a quarterly publication targeting young, secular with a satirical take on and identity. A former reporter for and a graduate of , Bleyer envisioned the magazine as an irreverent alternative to traditional Jewish media, emphasizing humor, subversion, and cultural critique over conventional religious or communal narratives. In 2003, Joshua Neuman assumed the roles of editor and publisher from Bleyer, shifting the magazine toward expanded ambitions including increased frequency and broader distribution while maintaining its edgy style. Under Neuman's leadership, which extended until around 2010, Heeb grew in prominence, featuring provocative content that blended celebrity interviews, photography, and essays. Bleyer transitioned to , contributing to ongoing editorial direction alongside figures like humor editor and editorial director Mike Edison. The original cohort of founders included a group of Gen X writers and artists who collaborated with Bleyer to establish Heeb's distinctive voice, though Bleyer is consistently credited as the primary visionary and initiator. Following the suspension of print editions in 2010, editorial control evolved, but core figures like Neuman and Bleyer remained influential in its legacy until a 2025 digital revival under new leadership uninvolved in the founding era.

Prominent Contributors and Interview Subjects

Heeb published articles and artwork by prominent Jewish writers and comedians, including , who contributed pieces such as self-interviews and cultural commentary in 2011 and 2012. Satirist Eli Valley provided cartoons and essays targeting institutional Jewish figures, with works appearing as early as 2005 and continuing through the magazine's run. Humor editor co-authored content and shaped the publication's irreverent tone, as noted in profiles of his editorial role. Among interview subjects, Heeb profiled high-profile figures blending with broader culture, such as rapper Drake in a 2010 feature exploring his bar mitzvah background and rise in hip-hop. Humorist discussed his upbringing and writing in a 2011 interview. Novelist reflected on his career shifts in a 2009 conversation. Comedian addressed in a controversial early 2000s exchange that drew attention for its boundary-pushing style. Other subjects spanned musicians like the and cultural provocateurs, aligning with Heeb's focus on subversive voices.

References

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