On Kveller we occasionally publish articles about writers’ favorite Jewish TV characters — from Sam on “Better Things” to Wendy Goldberg from “The Goldbergs” to Mike Myers’ Linda Richman on “Saturday Night Live.” (For some reason no one has written about their love for Ross Geller yet 🤔) It’s always fun to hear about the characters that helped you understand yourself or made you feel seen as a Jew.
Rachel Menken from Mad Men! Also Michael Ginsberg. For a show that wasn't about Jews it remains some of my favorite writing about Jews for any tv show, it was really smart and purposeful
Among my favorite Jewish TV characters are: "Paul Buchman", as played by Paul Reiser on the original '90's version of "Mad About You"; "Buddy Sorrell", as played by Morey Amsterdam on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" series from the early-to-mid '60's; and "Cousin Jacob", as played by Joel Grey on the gone-too-soon, early '90's series, "Brooklyn Bridge".
And the fact that Frasier is happy to have Freddy raised Jewish. Of course the *best* episode is ‘Star Mitzvah’. (Frasier asks colleague Noel to translate the speech he wrote for Freddy’s Bar Mitzvah in to Hebrew as a surprise. Unfortunately Noel is angry with Frasier - and translates it in to Klingon - hilarity ensues)
Yes to Ben Gross in “Never Have I Ever” and it’s a wild choice but there is an awesome Aussie drama from like a decade ago called “A Place to Call Home” and it takes place in a small town in Australia after WW2 where a nurse, Sarah Adams has been sent to work. She’s converted to Judaism because of her husband Rene Nordmann. Anyways it’s a beautiful story and all about her choice to be Jewish. It’s a great subplot. And her chosen religion really guides her actions and directs her values.
Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm - doesn't apologize for being Jewish - his Costanza characters on Seinfeld were given a non-Jewish name because NBC didn't want it to be "too Jewish" however the ambience around their scenes are definitely non "not Jewish" - About Ross Geller - he was great in the Holiday Armadillo episode.
Toby Ziegler from the West Wing!
I know that Grand Shaud is not Jewish, but I always loved Miles Silverberg's character!
Rachel Menken from Mad Men! Also Michael Ginsberg. For a show that wasn't about Jews it remains some of my favorite writing about Jews for any tv show, it was really smart and purposeful
Adam Sandler
Fran Drescher. I watched The Nanny several times.
Fran Drescher in The Nanny
Fran Drescher from The Nanny. Love.
Among my favorite Jewish TV characters are: "Paul Buchman", as played by Paul Reiser on the original '90's version of "Mad About You"; "Buddy Sorrell", as played by Morey Amsterdam on "The Dick Van Dyke Show" series from the early-to-mid '60's; and "Cousin Jacob", as played by Joel Grey on the gone-too-soon, early '90's series, "Brooklyn Bridge".
I love Lilith!
And the fact that Frasier is happy to have Freddy raised Jewish. Of course the *best* episode is ‘Star Mitzvah’. (Frasier asks colleague Noel to translate the speech he wrote for Freddy’s Bar Mitzvah in to Hebrew as a surprise. Unfortunately Noel is angry with Frasier - and translates it in to Klingon - hilarity ensues)
Sam Fox character on Better Things! I love Pamela!
Rhoda Morganstern
Yes to Ben Gross in “Never Have I Ever” and it’s a wild choice but there is an awesome Aussie drama from like a decade ago called “A Place to Call Home” and it takes place in a small town in Australia after WW2 where a nurse, Sarah Adams has been sent to work. She’s converted to Judaism because of her husband Rene Nordmann. Anyways it’s a beautiful story and all about her choice to be Jewish. It’s a great subplot. And her chosen religion really guides her actions and directs her values.
Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm - doesn't apologize for being Jewish - his Costanza characters on Seinfeld were given a non-Jewish name because NBC didn't want it to be "too Jewish" however the ambience around their scenes are definitely non "not Jewish" - About Ross Geller - he was great in the Holiday Armadillo episode.
Also Mrs. Maisel and the whole family. An amazing show.
Ben Cartwright from Bonanza. By far.
Then Captain Kirk.
Molly Goldberg
Libby Stein -Torres