The article reflects on the personal and cultural significance of Neil Diamond for the author's late father, highlighting how Diamond's Jewish identity was central to his artistry and appeal. The new film 'Song Sung Blue,' inspired by Diamond's music, is praised for its emotional resonance and broad depiction of American life, but the author notes a conspicuous absence of any reference to Jewish heritage. This omission is seen as part of a larger trend in recent films about Jewish cultural figures, where their specific backgrounds are downplayed or erased in favor of a more universal narrative. The author argues that while assimilation has allowed Jewish stories to blend into mainstream culture, the loss of particularity diminishes the authenticity and impact of these stories, leaving a 'Jew-shaped hole' in films that should celebrate their distinctiveness.