This series delves deep into the ever-evolving portrayal of Jewish identity, both its challenges and triumphs, in the medium of American television. From the early endeavors to introduce Jewish culture to mainstream audiences and the complex legacy of antisemitism in post-World War II America to the power of humor in shaping Jewish narratives and the transformation of Jewish female characters beyond traditional stereotypes, these sessions weave together a tapestry of cultural understanding.

Sunday January 7, 2024
From Absent to Invisible: Mainstreaming Jews on Television
I. Explaining Jews, Explaining Judaism
II. Bridget and Bernie
III. Everyone knows what a Bris is
IV. Feeling Jewish

Sunday January 14, 2024
Criminalizing Antisemitism
I. The Shoah in Post-War American Culture
II. Anti-Semitism as Social Discrimination
III. “Soft” Racism

Sunday January 21, 2024
Laughing at Jews, Laughing with Jews
I. Antisemitic, Philosemitic, Allosemitic
II. Die Yiddishe Mama
III. Seinfeld’s Rabbi

Sunday January 28, 2024
Beyond the Yiddishe Mama
I. Rhoda Morganstern: the Stereotype who wasn’t I
II. Fran Fine: the “JAP” with a Heart of Gold
III. Rachel Menkin: Jewish Self-Confidence
IV. Ziva David: Israeli Strength, Jewish Power