31/16
I was swept up in the romance and absolutely devoured this series
Narrative
An agnostic sex podcaster and a newly single rabbi fall in love; figuring out if their relationship can survive their wildly different lives and meddling families. Originally titled “Shiksa,” which is also the last word spoken in the first episode.
I agree—the rabbi is hot
There was so much great writing, pacing, and acting; it was easy to fall in love. : ) However, I felt a nagging discomfort with the portrayal of Jewish culture.
Or the vast wealth his first-generation immigrant parents somehow amassed
Some inaccuracies were annoyingly jarring, like the Hanukkah menorahs that kept popping up everywhere—is that his parents’ front door—for real? Some, though, were more repulsive, like the constant use of the term “shiksa,” which is really not a nice thing to say.
Repeatedly in the series, non-Jews are identified by their blondeness
If I were around people who seriously used that term to describe someone, I wouldn’t want to hang out with them again. Adding to the offense, the first time the word is used, it is projected with contempt at a stranger based simply on their appearance.
I would love to see this improved in a second season!
As a blonde Jewish woman, I am familiar with this kind of “but you don’t look Jewish” ignorance, but it does not come from within the Jewish community. At best, these discordant elements felt under-researched; at worst, they felt pandering and relying on outdated racial stereotypes.