This Actress and Neuroscientist Is The First Observant Jewish Host of Jeopardy

Question: Who is Mayim Bialik?

That’s right, Mayim Bialik has been named one of two new permanent hosts for the beloved game show Jeopardy, along with executive producer Mike Richards. While Richards will take on hosting duties for the syndicated, daily version, the Big Bang Theory and Call Me Kat starring actress will steer the show in its primetime and specials (such as the college tournament, teen tournament and tournament of champion versions).

After the recent exciting news of two Orthodox Jews being drafted to MLB, Mayim is the very first observant Jew to host a primetime game show and first woman to be named permanent host of Jeopardy, (an honor for which she is the number one trending topic on Twitter!) The show is pre-taped and just like Big Bang Theory and Call Me Kat, doesn’t tape on Shabbos. As she balances her work on Bialik Breakdown (her podcast), Call Me Kat, and now Jeopardy, that weekly respite matters more than ever!

So what’s it like being the very first observant Jewish host of an internationally-loved game show? We created a special Jeopardy segment below to teach viewers more about our favorite actress’s Jewish life, so they can find out!

CATEGORY: HOLIDAYS

Answer: This weekly Jewish day of rest is one that Mayim Bialik will have to ask for off as the new host of Jeopardy.

Question: What is Shabbos?

According to Mayim, “Shabbat gives me and my kids a tremendous gift: the gift of me existing for 25 hours unable to say, “In a minute,” “Not now,” “Let me check my email,” or “After I post this on Facebook.” That gift is truly a blessing; one that I work hard for every week. And it’s a blessing that I forget to value, and I am grateful–infinitely grateful to get to renew that blessing every week until I get it right.”

CATEGORY: FASHION

Answer: The elegant and timeless style code that observant Jewish women dress according to.

Question: What is tznius?

According to Mayim, “As I have said before, for years, I have been outspoken about my desire to dress [modestly] on the red carpet. That’s my choice… Those are my guidelines for comfort and what I feel brings me the most dignity and ease. I find a lot of strength in not letting my body speak before my brain does.”

CATEGORY: MORE HOLIDAYS

Answer: This month in the Jewish calendar has so many holidays, sometimes non-Jewish colleagues think we’re making them up.

Question: What is Tishrei?

According to Mayim: ” For people who are modern Orthodox, living in the secular world, it is a huge challenge [to balance their work with religious practice]. I’ve spoken to a lot of people who have a tremendous amount of conflict about that. So, I don’t want to act like my case is normal because I know that I have an exceptional situation, but the principle, I hope, you know even to have that consciousness I think is important. When I did have to work on religious days of Sukkot or Shavuos or Shemini Atzeret or many of the other holidays that a lot of people don’t know about, I did. I would dress nicely, I would go to shul if I could before work or after work, and I would be off my computer and there were ways that I created my own concept of it being a special, holy day even though my life circumstances did not allow me to observe it the way I might have wanted to.”

The Jew in the City community is so excited for Mayim to educate and inspire us all as she continues to blaze trails and make history for the observant Jewish world.

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