As a child, A Series of Unfortunate Events were some of my favorite books. They are quick, clever, and relate less patronizingly to kids than a lot of children’s literature out there. As I got older, I recognized Daniel Handler for his incredible work as a Jewish author creating complex and interesting Jewish characters. Though never explicitly stated within the books themselves, Handler has spoken frequently on his religious and cultural family life as the son of Jewish refugee from Germany as well as his intention to create the Baudelaires as Jewish children. In Handler’s own words, “I think there is something naturally Jewish about unending misery.”

This is why it is particularly shattering to have Count Olaf be turned into a violent caricature of Jewish stereotypes time and time again. I had enormously high hopes for the new Netflix series and waited with baited breath to see how Count Olaf would be portrayed. From the moment he comes on screen, I was gutted and near tears to see that I had once again been let down.

We are currently living in a time where judenhass is on the rise in the public arena. The Youtuber with the largest following in the world recently paid individuals to dance with a sign saying “Death to all Jews”. The incoming chief strategist for the White House was a founding member of Breitbart, an “alt-right” neo-nazi news haven. Since November 9th, there have been an enormous increase in vandalisms within the US of swastikas on Jewish spaces. Even in leftist spaces, I frequently see masked judenhass within (legitimate) criticisms of Israel. Conspiracy theorists speak often about the perceived power of an International Jewish network controlling money and politics in every sector and every country.

If you choose to watch the new ASOUE series, please take time to consciously note the damage that is done with equating an infamously money-hungry and bloodthirsty character with the most recognizable of physical Jewish stereotypes. It is something worth consideration and criticism.