Couldn’t agree more, Rivka. Every passing week and every Torah portion brings so much clarity and meaning and belonging and thought-provoking nourishment. I can’t comprehend how people would give this up— then again, I never really understood it as a frame of reference or a refuge until I sought it out in my adult life in more traditional way
I also thought it was CRAZY when Joanne asks “hot rabbi” why he ever wanted to be a rabbi. And he says something like “I want to spread the traditions!” So he’s basically supposed to be one of the closest people to God of the congregation and his only reason is that he wants to spread tradition. Not help teach Gods word or anything like that. And then Joanna goes “oh that’s a great reason”. If this is a legit reason, it’s a sad state of Judaism.
I don’t understand your comment. Judaism is based on the Tanach. The Tanach is about God. The high priests (modern day rabbis) are told to be the person who the people go to for “judgement” (OT term) and religious instruction. The fact that modern day Jews may not know this is my point.
I was shocked that no one in the series mentioned 10/7. I figured the series was made prior to 10/7. There is no possible way a Rabbi and his family wouldn't be talking about 10/7 and the grotesque rise in antisemitism around the world post 10/7, yet there was nothing.
Also, why would the Rabbi's mother, a woman who had been Jewish her entire life, have developed such a love of pork that she was willing to eat it out of the garbage? That was the most racist part of the show in my opinion: see how hypocritical these Jews are, and how useless their "rules" are. It was gross.
But I confess to enjoying the romance/comedy part of the series. I hoped the series would show how this narcissistic and shallow woman would find deeper meaning in life by converting to Judaism. Based on who wrote the series, that now seems highly unlikely.
The “mama eats pork out of the garbage in secret” shtick was the most misogynist part of this self-loathing dreck. I thought Jewish mother jokes became treyf c. 1980.
The environment that my daughters were raised in must have done something right, they are offended by the show. I always viewed Reformed Judaism as: “At least it’s something.” I welcome the desire to belong and I welcome the convert and those who support us, however being Jewish and Judaism require commitment and work. Having a Hanukkah bush just doesn’t cut it for me.
I have news for you, this is more prevalent than you think. My in-law's rabbi in a reconstructionist synagogue is married to a practicing roman catholic. So the fact that at least here the female lead converted seems to be a win for the Jewish People.
This reminds me of the JAP phenomenon where Hollywood had to go with the insult to Jewish women back in the 1980s in order to absolve themselves for not marrying a Jewish woman.
And I didnt watch the series. Considering that alot of the antisemitism you see today is coming straight out of Cali, not really interested in how Hollywood portrays Jews. That she is besties with the Hadid sisters would explain alot of the antisemitic tropes you talk about in your article too.
This is exactly what I’ve been wanting to read! I haven’t watched this godawful show but it makes me cringe when I hear my non-Jewish friends tell me how “good” it is.
And thank you thank you thank you for calling out Reform Judaism because these are some of the same gripes I’ve had with it.
I’m just tired of Judaism being made into a witty punchline. It’s hurtful, it’s dishonest, and it always seems to be done by people that say, “but I LOVE the Jewish community!” 🤦♀️ Do they though?
I was very uncomfortable through most of this show and appreciate that you were able to correctly articulate what was so cringy. (I went to art school)
Another amazing article, Mallory. That show was a pile of hot, wet nazi garbage. Erin Foster is 10000000% NOT A JEW. Disgusting these are the people Hollywood lets tell our stories when WE BUILT HOLLYWOOD. Fuck these losers.
Thanks for going through the pain of watching this and describing it to me, as I have no intention watching it.
I take issue of one phrase that you use – interfaith marriage. I don’t think there’s any such thing. I think that there are only lack of faith marriages. If you are truly believing Christian, how can you marry someone who is condemned to burn in hell for eternity? If you are Jewish, how can you marry someone not committed to carrying on the national tradition of faith and practice that has come down from the time of Abraham?
(I realize the character has “converted” to Judaism, but it doesn’t look like much of a commitment. And why a so-called Rabbi would even contemplate dating someone from outside the faith shows a lack of spiritual self-control.)
I’m curious how that works theologically. If the only way to enter, the kingdom of heaven is to believe in Jesus, and that one can only approach the father through the son, how do nonbelievers get salvation?
I understand, also, how one can get emotionally and physically attracted to someone outside the faith – that is a function of biology -but how can someone truly share their spiritual and religious experience with them – in a religious sense, isn’t where you are going to spend eternity the most important decision in your life?
Thank you so much for giving me some much-needed laughs. I particularly enjoyed the bit when you were outraged that the actor playing a rabbi was “not religious at all, a nonbeliever”. Come off it, next you’ll be saying that the actor who played Blofeld was not really evil at all!
And I suppose you would make an excellent Arab Muslim Imam in a racist Netflix comedy about Muslims? ITZ JUST AKTING, COME OFF IT!
Lmfao stop calling yourself a “rabbi,” Gabby. I would feign amazement that a phony self-proclaimed rabbi has no capacity to comprehend nuance or depth (or to express your concerns with any kind of non-condescending seriousness), but you are simply too pathetically predictable.
You are not a rabbi, you’re a nasty troll and a joke. Glad I could make a goofy lil goy like you laugh tho! 🧌🧌🧌
Had the same exact reaction as Mallory. I might add that as a conservative Jew I was particuarly piqued by the use of our siddur in their "shul" on Kabbalat Shabbat aftewhich the Rabbi went out for a few drinks with his shiksa love interest. Post 10/7 I've met some incredible young Jews and advocates for Israel who are the offspring of mixed marriages. IMO growing up with intermarried parents is no more a barometer of your love for the Jewish people and Israel then growing up in a non-observant home. As some reform Rabbis have pointed out their movement has contributed many foot soldiers to the pro-Palestine movement. As we just saw in the last election, when you try to be all things to all people, you end up being nothing to everyone.
No, converts to Judaism are ethnically Jewish. Ethnicity is not race but is about continuity of culture, and a person is adopted into the Jewish culture when they convert.
The profound ignorance of Judaism is a tragic loss. Like those who give it up don’t even know what they have surrendered.
I have never seen the show, just a general comment.
Couldn’t agree more, Rivka. Every passing week and every Torah portion brings so much clarity and meaning and belonging and thought-provoking nourishment. I can’t comprehend how people would give this up— then again, I never really understood it as a frame of reference or a refuge until I sought it out in my adult life in more traditional way
There’s a lot of depth.
I also thought it was CRAZY when Joanne asks “hot rabbi” why he ever wanted to be a rabbi. And he says something like “I want to spread the traditions!” So he’s basically supposed to be one of the closest people to God of the congregation and his only reason is that he wants to spread tradition. Not help teach Gods word or anything like that. And then Joanna goes “oh that’s a great reason”. If this is a legit reason, it’s a sad state of Judaism.
👏👏👏👏👏 a sad state indeed!
I don’t understand your comment. Judaism is based on the Tanach. The Tanach is about God. The high priests (modern day rabbis) are told to be the person who the people go to for “judgement” (OT term) and religious instruction. The fact that modern day Jews may not know this is my point.
Hollywood has a long tradition of negative views towards traditional Jewish values
Very true
This is so on target. it’s sad and dangerous for this to be considered a portrayal of anything truly Jewish.
Exactly right!! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
I was shocked that no one in the series mentioned 10/7. I figured the series was made prior to 10/7. There is no possible way a Rabbi and his family wouldn't be talking about 10/7 and the grotesque rise in antisemitism around the world post 10/7, yet there was nothing.
Also, why would the Rabbi's mother, a woman who had been Jewish her entire life, have developed such a love of pork that she was willing to eat it out of the garbage? That was the most racist part of the show in my opinion: see how hypocritical these Jews are, and how useless their "rules" are. It was gross.
But I confess to enjoying the romance/comedy part of the series. I hoped the series would show how this narcissistic and shallow woman would find deeper meaning in life by converting to Judaism. Based on who wrote the series, that now seems highly unlikely.
The “mama eats pork out of the garbage in secret” shtick was the most misogynist part of this self-loathing dreck. I thought Jewish mother jokes became treyf c. 1980.
The environment that my daughters were raised in must have done something right, they are offended by the show. I always viewed Reformed Judaism as: “At least it’s something.” I welcome the desire to belong and I welcome the convert and those who support us, however being Jewish and Judaism require commitment and work. Having a Hanukkah bush just doesn’t cut it for me.
I have news for you, this is more prevalent than you think. My in-law's rabbi in a reconstructionist synagogue is married to a practicing roman catholic. So the fact that at least here the female lead converted seems to be a win for the Jewish People.
This reminds me of the JAP phenomenon where Hollywood had to go with the insult to Jewish women back in the 1980s in order to absolve themselves for not marrying a Jewish woman.
And I didnt watch the series. Considering that alot of the antisemitism you see today is coming straight out of Cali, not really interested in how Hollywood portrays Jews. That she is besties with the Hadid sisters would explain alot of the antisemitic tropes you talk about in your article too.
This is exactly what I’ve been wanting to read! I haven’t watched this godawful show but it makes me cringe when I hear my non-Jewish friends tell me how “good” it is.
And thank you thank you thank you for calling out Reform Judaism because these are some of the same gripes I’ve had with it.
I’m just tired of Judaism being made into a witty punchline. It’s hurtful, it’s dishonest, and it always seems to be done by people that say, “but I LOVE the Jewish community!” 🤦♀️ Do they though?
Great ending of this piece!
I was very uncomfortable through most of this show and appreciate that you were able to correctly articulate what was so cringy. (I went to art school)
Another amazing article, Mallory. That show was a pile of hot, wet nazi garbage. Erin Foster is 10000000% NOT A JEW. Disgusting these are the people Hollywood lets tell our stories when WE BUILT HOLLYWOOD. Fuck these losers.
Thanks for going through the pain of watching this and describing it to me, as I have no intention watching it.
I take issue of one phrase that you use – interfaith marriage. I don’t think there’s any such thing. I think that there are only lack of faith marriages. If you are truly believing Christian, how can you marry someone who is condemned to burn in hell for eternity? If you are Jewish, how can you marry someone not committed to carrying on the national tradition of faith and practice that has come down from the time of Abraham?
(I realize the character has “converted” to Judaism, but it doesn’t look like much of a commitment. And why a so-called Rabbi would even contemplate dating someone from outside the faith shows a lack of spiritual self-control.)
Not all Christians believe that
I’m curious how that works theologically. If the only way to enter, the kingdom of heaven is to believe in Jesus, and that one can only approach the father through the son, how do nonbelievers get salvation?
I understand, also, how one can get emotionally and physically attracted to someone outside the faith – that is a function of biology -but how can someone truly share their spiritual and religious experience with them – in a religious sense, isn’t where you are going to spend eternity the most important decision in your life?
very interesting questions you have raised
Thank you so much for giving me some much-needed laughs. I particularly enjoyed the bit when you were outraged that the actor playing a rabbi was “not religious at all, a nonbeliever”. Come off it, next you’ll be saying that the actor who played Blofeld was not really evil at all!
And I suppose you would make an excellent Arab Muslim Imam in a racist Netflix comedy about Muslims? ITZ JUST AKTING, COME OFF IT!
Lmfao stop calling yourself a “rabbi,” Gabby. I would feign amazement that a phony self-proclaimed rabbi has no capacity to comprehend nuance or depth (or to express your concerns with any kind of non-condescending seriousness), but you are simply too pathetically predictable.
You are not a rabbi, you’re a nasty troll and a joke. Glad I could make a goofy lil goy like you laugh tho! 🧌🧌🧌
Had the same exact reaction as Mallory. I might add that as a conservative Jew I was particuarly piqued by the use of our siddur in their "shul" on Kabbalat Shabbat aftewhich the Rabbi went out for a few drinks with his shiksa love interest. Post 10/7 I've met some incredible young Jews and advocates for Israel who are the offspring of mixed marriages. IMO growing up with intermarried parents is no more a barometer of your love for the Jewish people and Israel then growing up in a non-observant home. As some reform Rabbis have pointed out their movement has contributed many foot soldiers to the pro-Palestine movement. As we just saw in the last election, when you try to be all things to all people, you end up being nothing to everyone.
No, converts to Judaism are ethnically Jewish. Ethnicity is not race but is about continuity of culture, and a person is adopted into the Jewish culture when they convert.
LMFAO they literally are not. You don’t convert to being Native American or Ethiopian Black. Take your Rachel Dolezal clown thinking elsewhere 🤡
Correct!