How Garbage Pail Kids had a Lasting Impact on Israeli Politics

Dr. Ido Noy was an art historian specializing in medieval Jewish art. But when COVID-19 hit, he rediscovered his childhood passion for Garbage Pail Kids and found others who grew up in the 1980s felt the same.

Released in Hebrew as Havurat HaZevel, this fad continues to have a lasting impact on Israeli politics in election campaigns satirizing politicians from both the right wing and left wing. The pop culture phenomenon led to multiple spin-offs from secular, religious Zionist and haredi communities with rabbi cards and more.

Plus, learn about how Art Spiegelman, award-winning writer of the Holocaust memoir Maus created the Garbage Pail Kids trading cards and Wacky Packages. And the story behind Bazooka Joe.

NOTES:

• Official website of Dr. Ido Noy, art historian

• Ido Noy’s Garbage Pail Kids history website

• Disgrace to the Knesset: On Garbage Pail Kids, Caricature and Political Satire in Israel by Dr. Ido Noy

• Video: Grossing Out | Setting a Bad Example: Garbage Pail Kids & Educational & Moral Values

• חבורת הזבל ואוספים נוספים - Havurat Hazevel & other collections - Facebook group

• Official Topps playing cards Garbage Pail Kids site

• The Jewish History of Bazooka Bubble Gum

• Maus: A Survivor's Tale by Art Spiegelman