Fall is not only a great time to be a TV Fanatic; it’s a great time to be Jewish!
The Jewish Holiday Season is upon us. As we Jewish fans balance our overloaded DVRs and hectic holiday schedules, one cannot help but wonder how our favorite Jewish characters are spending the holidays. Are they praying in Shul, having elaborate family dinners, or is it just business as usual?
Jewish representation has evolved a great deal over the years. While jews themselves were always prominent in the entertainment business in America, significant Jewish characters and Jewish plots did not crop up until the 1970s.
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There was a lapse in the 1980s, but then the 1990s gave us Seinfeld, and the rest is history. Today shows like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Broad City focus on Jewish characters, while other shows like Arrow have awesome and empowering characters who just happen to be Jewish.
There are all different kinds of Jews out there, and not all of them are very observant; many let holidays pass without acknowledgment. However, even for lapsed Jews, this time of year usually holds some significance.
Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of a New Year, a time for celebration and reflection; people go to shul and have large fests with there families.
The following week, Yom Kippur is a day of Atonement for past sins; we fast from sunset to sundown the following day so we can focus on our prayers without the distraction of mortal pleasures.
Again, I ask the question, who our favorite characters celebrate, and in what ways do they honor their culture? Let’s speculate together in this list of Jewish Characters and What They Are Doing This Holiday Season.
Miriam (Midge) Maisel — The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
Given that Midge’s family fell apart last Yom Kippur, she may not be looking forward to the holidays this year. Still, as she is living with her parents who are active members of the Jewish community, it is likely that she will be partaking in a big feast with her family. The meal probably won’t be 100% kosher, but it should include all the cultural staples one would expect of a culturally Jewish family. Who wants brisket?
Felicty Smoak — Arrow
Given how last season ended and the previews for season seven, it is unlikely Felicity has time for anything except running for her life with her stepson William. She may end up fasting for Yom Kippur, but it probably will be more of a “we don’t have anything to eat” situation. Better luck next year!
Rory Regan (Ragman) — Arrow
We have not seen Rory Regan since season five, so it is anyone’s guess what he is up to. Still, he came from a clearly Jewish background, and his superpower came from biblical magic, so if anyone in Arrow is going to praise God in the Jewish tradition, it would be Ragman. Hopefully, he’s living a peaceful life and has found a nice Jewish community to welcome him with open arms.
Howard Wolowitz — The Big Bang Theory
Howard has surely spent many holidays with his mother and his extended family. However, now that his mother is deceased and he is married to a shiksa, it’s his choice whether or not to partake in the tradition. Bernadette went to Catholic school, and would probably be uncomfortable at the Rosh Hashanah dinner table, so we can assume Howard is going to skip it this year.
Abbi Abrams and Ilana Wexler — Broad City
The last time we caught up with the Broad City girls on Yom Kippur, they were struggling to fast. Ilana caved towards the end of the fast, sneaking candy and whipped cream. Once Abbi noticed, after a brief confrontation, she followed her friends lead. We can probably assume that this year will be no different.
Schmidt — New Girl
Yes, Schmidt married a shiksa, but that does not mean his very Jewish Long Island mom would let him get away with skipping out on the holidays. Knowing how proud Schmidt is to be Jewish, he may not want to. He loves to cook and host, so maybe his mothers will even come to him this year. Then for the fast, well, if Schmidt could lose all that weight, he can surely go twenty-five hours without food or drink, right?
Dr. Isidore Latham — Chicago Med
The only Shomer Shabbas Jew on this list, we can bet that Dr. Latham will be celebrating in traditional Jewish fashion. He will feast, fast, and spend the majority of the holiday in an Orthodox Shul. That is, of course, unless a medical emergency calls him back to the hospital. Then all bets are off. (He’ll probably still fast though).
Zoe Hart — Hart of Dixie
As one of the only two Jews living in Bluebell Alabama, Zoe is unlikely to find a holiday service to attend. However, if Sylvie and Brando decide to throw a Rosh Hashanah feast, she, Wade, and their son are sure to be invited. This is assuming she ignores the invite to her mother’s dinner party in New York, which, with Zoe, is a distinct possibility.
Sandy Cohen — The O.C.
We haven’t seen Sandy since The O.C. ended over ten years ago. Another Jew married to a Shiksa, here’s a jew who never completely forgot his roots. The show indicated that for Jewish holidays, they would go to Jewish neighbors in Orange County. Surely they have continued that tradition in Berkley. Here’s hoping for a happy new year for all our favorite Cohen’s!
Willow Rosenberg — Buffy the Vampire Slayer
While Willow was Jewish at the beginning of the show, her foray into witchcraft may lead her to identify as Wicca now. Still, if her family invites her for a holiday meal, she may oblige, assuming that a) Her parents are still alive and b) there is no apocalypse to divert. We could assume that her family made it safely out of Sunnydale and that Willow is living a happy life in retirement from monster hunting, but knowing the Buffyverse as we do, this seems optimistic.
Paris Geller — Gilmore Girls
Newly divorced Paris could probably use a happy holiday, but if what we remember of the Gellers is accurate, she is unlikely to get it with her family. She, the kids, and her parents are sure to have a tense meal full of family drama. We’re guessing Paris just wants the New Year’s celebration over with so she can return to work. But we’re rooting for her to have a good year. Maybe if she relaxes a bit, she’ll meet a nice Jewish boy at Shul.
Ziva David — NCIS
So, let’s pretend for a second that Ziva did not die in the finale of the 13th season. She’s not the most religious, but she is a proud Israeli, and would probably feel obligated to do something. Given her family is estranged, and for good reason, she may choose to spend the holiday with her adopted family, her NCIS team. Of course Tony and Tali would be there with her, and maybe the three of them would have a nice quiet dinner. If only this were the reality, right?
Saul Berenson — Homeland
Things ended pretty hectically for him last season finale, and he probably won’t have time for a big meal or to make it to a shul, but we can assume he will find a way to honor the day. Maybe he’ll simply fast. And if he did make it to the Shul, we have no doubt in his ability to make it through the service in perfect Hebrew.
Rachel Berry — Glee
Rachel Berry, now St. James, has always been proud of her Jewish roots. She once told Finn she wanted her children raised Jewish. We can assume that she would want to spend the holiday celebrating with her dads and her husband. And you know she’s going to belt out the prayers at shul.
Miles Goodman — Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Remember Sabrina’s Jewish college roommate? We do, and we remember his overbearing Jewish family as well. Surely they will have him over for a The New Year, and he will suffer through their judgments while enjoying his mother’s oy-inducing matzo ball soup. But maybe this year he will have a family of his own to bring. We’re still hoping he reunited with and married Roxie. Mazel Tov to the supposed newly-weds.
Delia and Ephram Brown — Everwood
The last time we saw the Brown’s was right around Delia’s Bat Mitzvah. She would be twenty-four today, and hopefully maintaining continuing the Jewish journey she began way back when. She and Ephram are probably invited to New York to spend the holidays with their loving maternal grandparents. We’re hoping Ephram brings his wife Amy and possibly a kid or two.
Fran Fine-Sheffield — The Nanny
Fran, Maxwell, Maggie, Michael, Brighton, Gracie, Eve Catherine, and Jonah Samuel would all be required to make their way to Queens New York for Sylvia and Morty Fine’s festivities. It does not matter what they are up to, attendance is mandatory. Niles would probably be invited to, and he could bring C.C. and the kids along. Sounds like quite the get together. I just hope there is enough food!
