My Issue With “Shtisel”

Great article! And thought provoking. I guess the allure is more based on the shows ability to portray feelings and situations among the principals with very few words (speaks volumes), have actors of the opposite sex hint at attraction/longing without even as much as a handshake, “kosher” entertainment … and of course Michael Aloni😄 So yes. As for a/the broader audience, Perhaps the show might do more harm than good.

There’s a series on youtube called “Soon By You.” It’s about Modern Orthodox Jews. There are 5 episodes there. Do you think it portrays the community accurately?

Just so I’m clear, you don’t like Shtisel because its fictional portrayal of a Haredi family in Jerusalem is not identical to your experience as a Modern Orthodox woman in New York? How silly. Sounds like you are splitting wig hairs to me.

I was at the Shtissel event in the city. They unabashedly describe using “guerilla filmmaking”. What that means is they set upon the community of Meah Seharim and film that community with hidden cameras. This is a community that has signs begging to keep modesty, outside influences (western culture), internet, and the such, out of their small enclave. I saw them tell to a room packed with over 2,000 people. Not 1 person batted and eye, and in fact there was a collective comedic sigh that swept the room. After that, I finally saw what this show was about. It’s a brilliant couvert exploitation. The shows actors are fantastic, and the writing matches it. Personally I only saw a few episodes, so all my friends argue with my take. They say I need to see all 2 seasons, then come back to discuss. I say, they are at a bigger disadvantage than me, because they have already lost themselves in the characters (which are quite lovable). Flip the script for a second. Can you imagine Ultra Orthodox filmmakers sneaking cameras into some ancient Tibetan monastery, where there were signs begging for privacy? Then admitting that to a room full of people? The next day the event would be protested and scathing articles would be written on the disrespect and manipulation shown to these G-d fearing people. However, what I witnessed was a false pretense of art. The room had not 1 Hasidic Jew in it. This show was made for secular Jews and now the the Netflix nation. It is strictly entertainment. So let’s leave it at that. When I heard the main actor go on about this being some sort of bridge builder between the Ultra Orthodox and secular, I then finally saw the danger of this “movement”. This isn’t a bridge builder that breaks down barriers. This is a way to make a distant people more relatable, somewhat comical, and now easier to dismiss. The notion that “these people” also have problems, is what I keep hearing as being such a beautiful thing. The fact that all humans have issues, isn’t really groundbreaking. Has 1 person decided to change their lifestyle and become Charedi because of this show? I would bet no. The brilliance, and danger of this show is the carefulness used in not being disrespectful to the naked eye. It takes a person who intimately knows the neighborhood, to see the subtlety and nuances, that make this show and the storylines of this show outrageous. Personally, I wouldn’t be writing this, had the shows actors and producers, taken the “this is just entertainment” path. Once they start up with this show being altruistic and barrier busting, I say it’s time for a reality check and a pushback.

On the strictly “artsy” side of this show, I further find it humurous that Netflix nation really has no idea what they are watching. Any person purchasing (non-jew and perhaps unaffiliated Jew alike) think they are watching a series about real authentic Hasidic actors who are playing fictional characters. The wider audience thinks they are actually seeing the real thing. The show is in Hebrew and the actors look and talk authentic. They have no idea that the actors themselves are not Hasidic. So for all the art they preach, the wider audience isn’t even understanding the basic premise and roots of this show. It’s secular actors…portraying Hasidic people…who are acting in a fictional story..about Hasidic ultra Orthodox Jews. The masses are deprived of this information, which actually makes this series into somewhat of a comedy.

Well… I’m a non practising Catholic and so have an outside view which us probably less hung up on details and differences.
I loved Shtisel. And Fauda. And Prisoners of War. They have a Jewish / Israrli setting but are all about human nature too. So much depth in these series that is lacking in ‘fast drama’ so many live nice, ie Homeland (enjoyed for a couple of series).

A minor correction but the characters do not live in Mea Shearim, they live in Geula. I lived in Israel for a year and even I know the difference. They make a point of it in the show to explain the greater openness to the secular world demonstrated by the characters in the show.

I actually loved the show just for its entertainment value. I watch (and read) pretty much zero modern non-fiction because 99% of it garbage, but this was wonderful. I binge watched the whole thing in 10 days!

My only criticism was that the show didn’t make any effort to comment on what was clearly a massive dysfunctional aspect of the characters lives — namely that they had enormous families with very little income and with many of the men not working at all. For example, the 15 year old girl Ruchami, falls in love with a 16 year old yeshiva boy. He is passionate about studying Torah and it is clear that he will never hold a secular job and if he has any job at all it will eventually be teaching Torah to others. They get married and the big issue is whether or not her family will accept him (spoiler: eventually they do) and that’s clearly intended as the “happy ending.” But the real ending is that she has three kids while still a teenager and they have no money and nowhere to live. And then they end up living on welfare which is why there is so much animosity towards the haredi on the part of secular Israelis.

A couple of facts that are important to note: 1)There truly are observant Jews in the world who behave simlarly to the characters portrayed in Shtisel 2) Those people are generally content with their lifestyle 3)People are allowed to be exposed to the existence of such people.

There is no one way to ‘accurately’ represent the observant Jewish community; it is diverse. The fact that you would like everyone to think of observant Jews in your specific way doesn’t mean that people cannot act differently from you and that people who act differently from you cannot be seen by the world. I respect your views on what you consider to be an ideal for observant Jews. Honestly, up until now I really appreciated the postive message you give about Judaism. This exclusivity, however, is a bit disconcerting.

This is what I posted when I read this article on Facebook earlier this week:
Generally, I’m a big fan of Allison Josephs and what she’s accomplished via JewintheCity.com and highly recommend that website. However, when it comes to groups who are more to the right then she has chosen to live, she often seems to have issues. I’d also call myself right wing MO, but having sons in Beis Medrash and a son-in-law who’s a fulltime Kollel guy in Israel leaning Chareidi, I guess I have a somewhat different perspective. Aside from her most obvious blunder, that Shtisel are not Chassidic despite the peyos, she fails to realize that this is a drama, not a kiruv film. If everything was always going great in the Shtisel family, it wouldn’t be a compelling TV show at all. Unfortunately, in the first two seasons they’ve neglected to have a scene taking place around a Shabbos table. But again, that’s not the purpose of this show, and if there were Shabbos segment I have a feeling that an argument would break out. It’s a TV show, let’s keep it in perspective.

I’d really LOVE for jewinthecity to write about the Marvelous Mrs. Meisel! This show is totally over-the-top and offends me as a Torah obsevant Jew who is a ba’ales t’shuva. I’ve been on both sides of this great divide and the stereotypes in this show are awful. I know many Jews who love this show…NOT ME!

The problem that I have with this film is that it gives the impression that orthodoxy = dysfunction; displaying such dysfunction in a culture that is otherwise not known to the secular world is misguided.

So I’m a little late to the conversation, but as a Reform Jew who’s been married to a Modern Orthodox woman for 17 years, I wanted to share my opinion on the show. We loved it! We can’t wait for the new stuff to start. However, before I married my wife, I had a very narrow view of anyone to the right of me, read that even Conservative. All you observant folks were just plain nuts. My Mom thinks my wife is nuts and probably me for marrying her. 3 granddaughters later, she’s made peace with it. But because of the exposure I’ve had, watching the show was not only easy, but I ‘got’ pretty much everything that was going on. I recognized characters and situations from things we’ve dealt with in our lives and travels. It’s pretty accurate as far as I’m concerned. Some of the rules I think are insane, but my wife follows them and we are raising our kids to be observant, so I’ve made peace with the insanity of some of it. I honestly think it does a great job of showing a segment of Judaism and humanizing it in terms of ‘here’s religious people dealing with the stuff everyone else is”. Which is why I thought it sort of took the cover off of Orthodox Judaism and said ‘they’re human too’. But, it also showed some of the divisions within Jewish society, for example the Gallery owner…and when he won the award…know how many times I’ve seen what his father did? Ask for money? Good grief, I’ve come to expect it. Anyway, I loved it and hope it continues…

I grew up in Montreal in a very Jewish neighborhood. I love the show because I can hear some of them speak Yiddish and I love the language so but I’m puzzled about something and I hope someone can answer my question. Why do some of the women wear a “shaitel” (I don’t know how to spell it in English but I mean wig that married women wear)in the house, even to bed and then when they go out they do not wear one. That is the exact opposite of what I’ve know all my life. I really find that confusing. Thanks to anyone who will take the time to reply.

hello, i´m from germany and i´ve just started watching “shtisel” because of actress shira haas (rachima in “shtisel”), whose outstanding acting impressed me in “unorthodox”. though not knowing too much about jewish orthodox communities, it took me only 10 minutes of research to learn about some basic differences between orthodox and ultra-orthodox beliefs and manners. so when i saw the headline of this article, i thought it would refer to a completely different point which – though basically realy enjoing the show – makes me a bit uncomfortable. there are certain characters that correspond almost 100% to the cliche of the “dishonest, backtracked and greedy jew” the nazis used to spread in their propaganda. to name them, it´s the old lady doing money-changing buisness ( i beliebve she´s called erblich) and the “artist” who makes akiva paint for him (i forgot his name). haven´t finished season 1 yet and REALY hope for them to break those characters at some point and give them more and other dimensions. i hardly couldn´t stand seeing the “self-portrait” akiva made of the “artist” before adding the red nose – could have been taken from a nazi propaganda poster of the 1930ies/40ies. i asked myself, if the show had been made and originaly released in germany, if it would´nt have provoced a shitstorm and accusation of anti-semitism, at least here in germany. (though i have to admit that we have a shameful rise of anti-semitism, very rightwing and neonazi beliefs in our societey, there are at the same time more and more people aware and very sensitive towards anti-semitism). did anyone else have similar feelings while watching the show, or was it just me because of the awful history of the country i live in?

I loved the show, but the thing that bothered me the most was that they seemed to lie so so much.
Can anyone address that for me? I always thought “you shall not lie” was a big commandment? Is there a different interpretation of lying in certain groups of Judaism or was it just for this drama they did this?
I guess I just don’t understand the point of keeping smaller commands but breaking bigger ones? Obviously I’m not judging them because they are fictional characters, but I’m just curious if anyone else was bothered by this?

Tell me about it… I am italian and since the godfather i have to explain everyone that i am not a mafioso and i do not call my friends ‘paisan’.

“While there is extreme poverty in the world of Shtisel, according to the Pew Study, the modern Orthodox community is the most affluent of all the Jewish communities.”

You must be talking about American Jews. The show is in Israel, where haredim are in fact substantially poorer than average.

I don’t understand your concern about any confusion between Geula Orthodoxy and that of self-styled “Modern Orthodox”, such as yourself Ms Josephs. The story isn’t about your group and no one, except you yourselves, is interested in any identity confusion. Why would we care who you are- we know who we are.?

Why I’m Not The Biggest Fan Of JITC
Just feel like I have to express my disappointment with this ‘organization’. I was just watching another episode of ‘Shtisel’ and was looking around on the web for the ultra-orthodox’s response to these films, and I came across your website. I was sure I was going to find some perspective, some explanation for some of their customs, perhaps some idea on where their insecurities might be coming from, etc. But as I started reading your post about this, I realized that you too are merely trying to ‘disown’ your ult-orth coreligionists and make clear ‘not all Jews are as terrible as that’. Your response to all the fanaticism and apparent abuse is: “We do believe that Torah and science can work together,” or, “Our husbands don’t leave the delivery room,” etc. Without mentioning a word to suggest that perhaps the Hasidics too are misrepresented — as they themselves claim. Is that all you’ve got to say about them? Do you not realize that you are falling into the same trap of ignorance and bigotry than the people outside the Jewish community?
I don’t think it’s a good idea for you guys to ‘kosher’ your way of life by means of separating yourself from other religious groups. Instead, perhaps be an example of respect for people who may be more conservative than you are.

There is a show on Jew in the City! is called Srugim about RZ singles in katamon. its success paved the way for Shtisl. Remember also that the Israeli audience for whom Shtisl was made would never confuse you for a character in shtisl (though your sheitl might throw them off, but they are becoming, for better and for worse more common in the Dati Leumi community as well)

I’ll begin by saying this series is by far one of the best I’ve seen ever. Let me assure you that at no time did I ever believe this show represents all orthodox Jew. As a black woman (non-Jew), I did find threads of their practice that could apply to virtually all cultures especially when it came to parenting but that did not come instantly. I understood after the first few episodes that my approach to watching this series had to change in order for me truly value it’s content just that much more. I have recommended this show to those I feel would appreciate it. I was so sad at the end of season 2 then became so happy knowing there was a season 3.

Someone should write and publish a guide to the Orthodox experience for the perplexed, both Jewish and on-Jewish. It could cover all the variations on religious Judiasm reflecting the diversity and sectarianism that charactizes these movements. I elect you, Allison.

As an assiminated American Jew whose Conservative background did nothing to discourage my fascination with what the distinguished critic and scholar Harold Bloom describes as The American Religion (to which I would add an abject devotion to money and currently dialectical materialism) I find the various flavors of Judaism a greater or lesser outgrowth of the traditions from which they emerged or an accomodation to modern Western culture.

How else the extreme distance between woke Reform Judaism and any of the Ultra Orthodox groups? The religious Jews I know here in Los Angeles are sufficiently tolerant of secular influences to break bread with me @ a Glatt Kosher restaurant, yet are curious why I don’t recognize that their particular brand of the faith would actually make me a much happier person.

That kind of benign proselytizing wouldn’t even enter the mind of the Haredi in certain Jerusalem neighborhoods where I would be stoned if I showed up @ the wrong time of the week on a scooter.

Regarding Shtisel, it is extremely well written, adroitly produced, superbly acted and is an example of what real talent in a small country can do on a limited budget. Creatively, it is an indisputable triumph. Take if from someone who has been a part of series television here in Hollywood for the last 30 years.

If you want to split hairs on how completely or authentically it reflects what it means to be a Jew, be my guest. That argument has been going on for centuries.

I’ve just started watching the series. I’m an outsider looking in as a Protestant Christian. But I’ve always been fascinated by Jewish faith and culture in its various faction. For five years I lived in New York’s Hudson Valley near many Hassidic Jewish communities. I’ve had many interesting uplifting encounters with people in those communities. Based upon my experiences I was curious about the show and started watching. I was fascinated by the storyline and characters. But after awhile the shows seemed kind of tedious when nothing promising ever quite seemed to work out. I guess the show is going for realism and as kind of cultural satire. But, at least to me, it seemed like cynicism. There doesn’t seem to be a sense of narrative progression. It seems like the plot and characters are stuck in a glass half-empty reality, a Groundhog’s Day of pessimistic fatalism. Even if anything good does happen there is some ominous pessimistic dark lining to the silver cloud. I get it that Jews are a persecuted people. T hat’s a matter of record and history, but am I to believe nothing good ever has or does happen to them? Nothing that is uplifting and encouraging? In real life, such uplifting stories at least occasionally happen. Such stories of optimism sprinkled into the narrative would ring truer to reality. It would seem that all of human history is full of tragedy. Yet somehow there are countless good things that happen. And there are downtrodden people such as the Jews who rise up to show courage in the face of adversity. People who defy the otherwise cynical narrative. Proving that all is not glass half empty. And because of those real life stories, that defy the pessimistic cynical narrative, we have to believe that there is a God. A God who has, does, and will intervene in Jewish history and in human history. And just as I saw so encouragingly in the Hassidic community and have found in my own personal faith, He does intervene on the humble level of common people’s most basic needs. I just wish I could see this ingredient in the show. Given the strong faith of the people that it is attempting to portray, people who define themselves by a more powerful faith, we would expect to see more silver linings and lights at the end of the tunnel. As I understand it from my Jewish friends over the years, this is the positivist hope that Jews cling to in their compelling faith and which they talk about and celebrate at Seder services. Otherwise what would be the point in going on.

Is interesting to see how you perceive yourself and your community — on how others outside perceive it so different. Is all in the perception you have about your identity and what the believe that is special.

I can understand your concerns, Allison. But I think this is a case of … baby steps.

It’s only been recently (certainly in the last 40 or so years) that stories about the life of observant, Jewish families were considered potential topics for a TV series. The fact that Netflix actually carries series from Israel is a change in itself. But that North American TV choices now include a series about a Haredi family that discusses very personal and true-to-life topics is remarkable. In order for the wider North American public to become educated about Jewish customs, viewers must learn about all aspects — including the communities and traditions they may least understand.

Your blog helps make that possible as well, by showing the differences as well as the similarities among us all. Perhaps Shtisel has a role in the education process of North Americans who know very little about Jewish diversity and similarities. I am just glad to see that we are finally talking about which Jewish community should be featured *next* and no longer having to fight for a place on the TV screen.

I get what you’re saying Allison. You could probably apply this to other diverse but minority groups who are often lumped together. But I do think it’s a good start.

I don’t have any connection to religion, not even in my family past. We come from way further East. But I did know there are many sects or offshoots of Judaism. And I certainly realised that Shtisel is fiction despite my ignorance. I think the way it was filmed, especially the dream sequences, give it away. Artistic license was obviously used to increase the drama factor. Although I do think they should have delved deeper into more uncomfortable moral issues, those things that don’t have easy answers, not even in our secular world.

It’s interesting the show has touched so many non-religious people. I think it reflects, more than anything else, a deep anxiety we have about modern secular life and the things we feel are missing. Maybe we see something of that in Shtisel. I certainly felt it. And I’m glad I’m not the only one here.

Thanks for all the interesting comments too, I’ve learnt alot.

I read your article and I watched Shtisel, and I think, “yep, pretty much the same thing”. And that’s because I’m an outsider. I often get the same feeling though when my “community” or my country is depicted in main-stream or even independent media, because they never get everything right and I feel they are stereotyping the whole thing! Then I turn to my girlfriend who is from a different country and culture and start explaining the differences, and in the middle of my explanation I feel, well, these really don’t matter to her, she now knows more about my country than before watching this, and that’s great, and I leave it there. Maybe you should have left it there too…

I wasn’t sure when this was set as it travelled through the lives of this family, their neighbourhood and tradition. Initially I thought it was a historic portrayal, but quickly realised it was 21st century. I loved it from the very first episode. Irrespective of the religion, belief or tradition. The characters pain and suffering at the hands of life and at times each other was so real and relatable. Thank you to the makers. My question has to be – from the perspective of the Haredi peoples, is it realistic and what do they think of it?

I converted in my wife’s Conservative shul, over 20+ years ago.
I had to quit watching- never got all the way through season 2 this past week. . After the 100th time they said a blessing over the tap water they drank, I had an epiphany. These people are leeches on secular society. They should be thanking their secular government for the municipal water system that gave them that clean drinking water. I had a totally different mindset after that= all I saw were religious superstitions taught by dictatorial rabbis that are basically mind control that encourages them to be a parasitic society, with no remorse whatsoever for being leeches. . , – all the while looking down on secular people who take care of their modern life needs. True to form, the principal at the religious school who tried to bring in some secular subjects, to help the kids become productive adult workers, get’s fired. you know what’s ironic? Their high rate of birth combined with intermarriage and secularization of young mainline Jews means that these ultra orthodox Jews could very well be the main voice of Jewry in three more generations.

Darling writer, don’t have a chip on your shoulder. Be proud of who you are and less worried about how Charedim are portrayed in a fictional show. I would be careful about putting down my fellow jews, just to bolster my own image. In any case, as with any TV show, what you see has to be taken with a grain of salt. As an orthodox jew in the production industry, I found this show very refreshing and entertaining in comparison to the many shows available today. And I’m sure there are many folks out there from all walks who share my perspective. Those who hate will hate. Those who want to know in good faith, will ask questions. If you are truly a proud jew, there’s no need to defend yourself. Lots of love

I am enamored with this show. It was the best show I’ve seen in a very long time. I am Christian, but I grew up in Maryland with a lot of Jewish friends and I’ve traveled through Israel. I never thought that this was how all orthodox Jews live. I was very aware that this was a more right wing version of orthodoxy. I can understand completely though what you are talking about. You see, I am LDS and there have been plenty of shows that depict mormonism that get it totally wrong. It makes me cringe to think that people watching those shows take it as accurate of all LDS folks. So, you make a good point, but rest assured that the majority of people understand there are varying degrees of religious devotion and worship. I think most people are just attached to the characters and their fictional drama. It’s just SO GOOD!!! I think all forms of worship with the intent to grow closer to God and to align our lives with his will is beautiful.

Finding and highlighting differences between the Haredim living in NY and those living in Jerusalem — as you do — is as easy as finding differences between Ashkenazi and Sephardic cuisines, no hard task, the findings should not be surprising.

Different cultural habits and surroundings lead to different communities. Shtisel is about Jerusalem, not about NY, as I see it. No harm done, sorry for your discomfort.

I find the series to be and interesting look and the culture and practices of this sect. It is a soap so the dysfunction is necessary to the show and that is to be understood! So happy not to see violence and perversion and obscenity for a bit on TV!!!
Maybe we might all be better off if our faith was a more visible and active part of our everyday life. The world sees these practices as a burden but they are not seen that way by the practitioners. Look closely and you will see.

Here is a 5 cents from a non-Jew from a Southeast Asian country:

I love Shtisel because Shtisel actually tells OUR life story in INDONESIA, the most populous Muslim nation on earth.

My Indonesian friends that love Shtisel also strongly feel that “Shtisel” is an Indonesian Family Drama with European faces.

Even the vibes of Geula and Mea Shearim remind us of our Own neighbourhoods in Indonesia.

I agree that Shtisel may give wrong ideas to people who have very little knowledge about Judaism. My secular Israeli friend once told me that his Latina gf’s family was worried that he will drag her into Haredi lifestyle LOL

Shtisel has also shown NOT just the humanity of Haredim, It has shown how SIMILAR traditional societies around the world. In other words, “Shtisel” can be a powerful force to change negative views on Jews among the non-Jews, especially those from traditional conservative societies.

I personally know a Muslim girl who used to have very negative views about Jews. She has changed her views about Jews in general after watching Shtisel.

We started watching Shtisel as a way of detoxing from the election and its aftermath. We were drawn by the authenticity of the speech, mannerisms , attire, great cinematography of Israel and the strong characters, each of whom dealt with their problems, and who all stayed within the Charedi community . We then binged our way through the first two seasons and the amazing third season which was dramatically compelling but which ended on a very upbeat note. The show had the best drama that I have seen in years on television, and had no sex or uncouth language. The show was all about how people deal as adults with their roles within the family structure, which is what all of Sefer Breishis deals with.

Shtisel was what we needed as a way of detoxing from the election. The characters, drama , authenticity, great scenes of Geulah ( not Meah Shearim) and the intense focus on how four generations of a family deal with the challenges of life while retaining their commitment to their faith without any extraneous sex or foul language was superb. The last episode of Season 3 was awesome

As a non jewish person, I just wanted to say that since watching the show and a few others, I have been reading up to further my knowledge on this subject area. I would imagine that the majority of people that are going to take time and effort to want to talk or write about such things would do so, as we recognise all religions are complex and very rarely showcasing everything there is to know via their portrayal on television. The entertainment aspect and artistic licence also are key factors that one also takes into consideration as well. I feel that the show has prompted lots of questions and research for me, which is great.

I too was deeply drawn into Shtisel, because of the superb writing, directing and acting. I love how Hebrew is so much more nuanced than English, and was happy at how much of the Hebrew I understood. I “recognized” most of the characters and their characterizations from my time in Israel and my many years of interaction with my loving, Orthodox relatives, both in the States and in Israel (I am a practicing, but not Orthodox, Jew and also a practicing TM”er [Transcendental Meditation]).

What pains me about Shtisel is the many dysfunctional characters. Of course, it is problems and overcoming them that make an interesting drama. But there are wonderful, open-minded, deeply Orthodox individuals (like my aunts, uncles and cousins, and notably like Rabbi Adin [Steinsaltz] Even-Yisroel). Could they not have also been cast into the drama as elements of strength, happiness and stability? In my role as faculty at Maharishi International University, in Iowa, I have found that the vast majority of our students are happy, not stressed and eager to progress in life. It would be great to have a drama about life in Israel and in religious communities where positive and uplifting values are found useful in solving the issues brought out in Shtisel.

I found that the kibbutz where Shtisel creator Ori Elon was born, Kibbutz Shluhot [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shluhot] is a very dynamic, creative and successful kibbutz. I would enjoy a drama highlighting their path to success. And I found the following excerpt, from an interview with Ori’s mother [ https://www.hadassahmagazine.org/2020/07/10/israeli-author-emuna-elon-family-writing-shtisel/%5D.

I hope the brilliant creator of Shtisel, described here, will give us more finely-crafted dramas, with the kind of experiences he must have had in his family as a youngster.

“Your son, Ori Elon, is the co-creator of the popular series Shtisel about a haredi family in Jerusalem. How do you think your family life influenced his work?

Benny and I raised six very different children, and I am the fortunate savta of 29. Ori, who is 38, is my fourth child. He was, from earliest childhood, familiar with the community he depicts in Shtisel. It is a world he perceives with affection, and his stories of the Shtisel family are vested with humor and complexity, universal in their appeal, at once eclectic and familiar. Ori himself is religiously observant and as we speak he is en route to Ukraine to honor the Baal Shem Tov. In our home, we never imposed our values on our children but encouraged them to make their own choices. We embraced their disparate choices. One of my sons is irreligious, declining to even wear a kippah, but we accepted his decision as we accepted Ori’s. I am, of course, proud of Ori’s achievement, as I am proud of all my children and the lives they have chosen to live.”

Dear Allison,

I watched Shtisel recently and found it very entertaining! I’m a non-church ‘Christian’ who studied in Israel back in the 80’s, and who observes Toarh and the halakha of Y’shuah and his Talmidim. So that kind of show intrigued me. I wanted to discover the messages they were promoting.

Although I lived in Israel, I never got in close with any Haredi. Most of the people I knew were everybody else, including Americans who made Aliyah. So I have about zero experience with the Israeli Haredi (except for riding their busses all the time in Yerushalaim.

IF Shtisel is accurate in portraying their lifestyle (minus all the cultural differences), I would say that they are pretty much the same as Christians who take their relationship with God seriously. The main differences are the cultural forms and obviously some fundamental ideological ones.

On more of a negative note, although very entertaining, I found Shtisel disturbing, b/c it was similar to the shows I watched in the 90’s and later after having completed my degree programs in Bible college. I hadn’t been to a movie or watched TV for probably 20 years before that. So what I discovered back then was shocking to say the least. It was patently evident to me that the media is a propaganda machine that addresses all segments of society, pushing secular living (Balaam ideology) on everybody. They constantly bombard everybody day-in-and-day-out with their anti-God propaganda. So anybody who watches one of these show can get something out of it, but not anything that God would want them to. So, I interpreted the main purpose of Shtisel to be a propaganda machine aimed at the Orthodox Jews to move them in a direction similar to what the media did to ‘Christian American’ starting back in the early 1900’s with Vaudeville.

On more of a positive note, One of the things that had me constantly laughing is the presentations of opposites, and the anticipation of what that schemer Shulem would do next. He was the wildcard in that world. What a character!

Anyway, thanx for putting out there a comment on Shtisel, so we all can drop by and share in the fun!

Cheers…

Being late to the show, and on this site for the first time, I just want to say it was a joy reading the civil and thoughtful discussion and comments here!

I used Shtisel for an informal series of shiurim for adults.
I think this piece is a bit futile, in that Shtisel is not a documentary on the lives of Charedim, Orthodox, Ashkenazim, Israelis or Jerusalemites… Shtisel is simply a soap opera that uses a charedi background.

If someone was to get their Jewish education from Shtisel, in my opinion, the problem lies within these people and not Shtisel. I have a much biger issue in the way that Jews in general are generally portrayed in American and European movies/series. Basically non-religious Jews with some Jewish folklore. My non-Jewish co-workers think I am Ultra-Orthodox because I eat only kosher, keep Shabbat, pray three times a day, and wear my kippa. This is a much bigger distorsion than Shtisel.

Shtisel in my opinion had the (probably intended) effect of “humanizing” Charedim, but it is basically telling some stories that simply happen to occur to a Charedi family from Jerusalem. It is obvious Shtisel is a typical soap opera, if someone thinks it has documentary value, then they do have a problem, no Shtisel. This is most obvious in season 3, in my opinion the less interesting one, since all the focus is on drama for the sake of drama, dropping way more the religious/cultural aspects so delightfully portrayed in the previous seasons.

I disagree that we need a “Jew in the city” series, which would only further contribute perpetrate the cliché of Ashkenazic/middle class professional Jews fully acculturated to their American surroundings, whether religious or not. How about a series on the epic mass alyiah of Sephardic Jews in the first years after the establishment of Israel? This would certainly contribute to widen the view of what we are as a people…

Regarding the smoking thing – smoking is more common among Eastern Europeans, from which many Israeli Jews descend.
As far as poverty – I was actually refreshed to see “poverty” depicted in a television show. To me they do not look poor, only normal. Most television shows depict people who make far more than the average person makes, people who live in huge houses but have only one person who works. If they show working class people, their homes are inevitably disgustingly messy and everyone takes drugs. These are just normal people who don’t have a lot of money.