When Rough Diamonds hit Netflix, it brought up some mixed feelings. While wonderful to see Orthodox Jewish representation on screen done with nuance and three dimensionality, some of the plot lines dabbled in tropes of Jewish deception and greed. Negative minority representation increases hatred of those minorities, according to research. With attacks on all Jews, […]
About a year and a half ago, I got news that a reality TV show about Jewish matchmaking was getting made. We may have even gotten an inquiry for casting. I was immediately alarmed, because reality TV makes everyone look bad, dating brings out the worst in people, and as it is, Jewish representation is […]
At first glance, reality TV and Orthodox Judaism seem like an odd pair. Yet, in Netflix’s new show, Jewish Matchmaking, sparks are flying. A refreshing breath of fresh air in a marred television climate that almost solely shows negative depictions of Orthodox Jews, Jewish Matchmaking is an honest and real portrayal of the beautiful Jewish […]
Dear Rabbi JITC, “What are the rules of being an Orthodox Jew?” -Nathaniel Dear Nathaniel, Now that’s an interesting question. First, I want to give a caveat that halacha (Jewish law) isn’t intended just for “Orthodox Jews”; it’s intended for Jews, full stop. All throughout the Biblical era, the Talmudic era, etc., Jews were just […]
A year and a half ago, an Orthodox Jewish woman from Belgium reached out to Jew in the City. There were crews in her city, filming something for Netflix about Hasidic Jews. She was worried that it wasn’t going to end well. She noted that there were locals, from the Hasidic community, who were working […]
How do Orthodox Jews make money is currently the number one trending topic on Google now when you search for “Orthodox Jews.” I fear that this topic is trending because people may think that Orthodox Jews make money in some dishonest way due to some recent media depicting them this way. Orthodox Jews, like all […]
