Jewish Narratives in Pop Culture: From Shtisel to Sex and the City

Course Title: Jewish Narratives in Pop Culture: From Shtisel to Sex and the City
Program: Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning
Instructor: Elisha Gechter
Day and Time: Mondays, 8:00-9:30 p.m. Eastern Time; *hybrid sessions, 7-8:30 p.m.
Dates:  *10/23, 10/30; 11/6, 11/27, 12/4, *12/11, 2023 (6 sessions)
Location: Online and hybrid *(first and final session will be in-person at Lehrhaus in Cambridge, MA).
Fee: $150 Financial scholarships available

Ever finished binging The Marvelous Mrs Maisel and wish you had a “book club” to discuss the episodes with? Or did you watch all of Shtisel and want to not only eat all the food on screen but also ask someone else about what you were curious about in the show? Come study the ways that Jews show up in today’s pop culture. Examine which narratives are being raised that are stereotypical and where creators are broadening their portrayals of Jewish identity- be it the weddings and b-mitzvah scenes that appear everywhere from Sex and the City to Crazy Ex Girlfriend and The Mindy Project or the Mikvah and Shabbat scenes in Orange is the New Black and Transparent. Come see examples of overtly Jewish shows and characters, as well as ones that are more subtle, or even “masked.” Are you left feeling proud or cringing as you watch these depictions? Discuss with an eclectic group how these characters and narratives land with you and why representation matters.

Hebrew College Open Circle Jewish Learning classes are for learners of all backgrounds.

Canadian and other registrants from outside the US: please email Cindy Bernstein to complete your registration. We apologize for the inconvenience.