Jewish Pride Has Come To Several TV Shows In Recent Weeks!

On Passover, Jews around the world lean into storytelling as a way to transmit our national identity and pride in our distinct history, religion, culture, and traditions. As a people, we deeply understand the power of stories to shape us. In recent weeks, we’ve seen some great, positive portrayals of Jews and Judaism on screen.

A recent arc in ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy featured a Black Jewish mother who wore her magen David (Jewish star) necklace proudly. While her daughter was in surgery, she shared with a doctor (who happened to be a love interest) that she finds strength in the Misheberach prayer to heal the sick. The two recite the prayer together in a moment that shows how meaningful Jewish spirituality can be. Bonus points for the show featuring Jewish diversity and highlighting how Jewish women can be attractive without being overly sexualized.

In Netflix’s Running Point, starring Kate Hudson, Lev Levenson (played by Max Greenfield) gives a toast at his engagement party where he shares the Jewish idea of “Bashert.” He outlines the beauty and romance that’s found within the Jewish tradition, and wears his Jewishness with pride. While we’d love to have seen a character like that fall in love with an equally proud Jewish woman (and be surrounded by fewer stereotypical characters), we were happy to see this character express his rich Jewish heritage positively and be such a lovable Jewish guy.

In a recent episode of HBO Max’s The Pitt (episode 14), Dr. Michael Robinavitch, played by Noah Wyle, is overwhelmed with a devastating set of cases that have come to his ER. At the beginning of the episode, we find him crouched in a corner, reciting the Shema prayer in Hebrew: “Hear O’ Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.” At the end of the episode, he explains to a non-Jewish doctor who saw him praying what he was doing. Although Robinavitch admits that he’s not even sure if he believes in God, he explains that his grandmother used to say the Shema with him every morning when he was growing up. His colleague responds, “‘Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength,’ Isaiah 40.” He explains he was a theology major. Though Hollywood often shies away from faith, these scenes are poignant moments.

On Fox’s Doc Dr. Jake Heller not only sports a Chai necklace, he discusses a Hillel sandwich (a special sandwich eaten during the Passover seder) a few episodes into the show. While we would have preferred if a Jewish actor was cast to play the part, Dr. Heller is downright dreamy, crushing the Jewish nebbish man trope.

And we previously wrote (read full review here), Netflix’s Nobody Wants This had some wins, like authentic blessings and synagogue scenes. We got to watch how Shabbat begins, with candle lighting, how shabbat ends, with seeing the first three stars, we learned about the problem of gossip (lashon hara) and that Jewish theology includes grappling with God. Between Adam Brody playing “hot rabbi,” and his character loving Judaism, giving over Torah wisdom, showing a deep appreciation of Jewish rituals, these were some rare and appreciated wins in Jewish representation.  Joanne, played by Kristen Bell, had a curiosity and appreciation for Noah’s faith. While we normally see Jews mocking Judaism on the big screen, this was a welcome departure.

At JITC Hollywood Bureau, we work with studios, streamers, networks, and other content producers to champion positive, authentic Jewish narratives. Through our work, we hope portrayals like these will become the norm, not the exception. And we are definitely looking out for our next set of winners at JITC’s 3rd Jewish Media Awards!

If you found this content meaningful and want to help further our mission through our Keter, Makom, and Tikun branches, please consider becoming a Change Maker today.