Jewish Representation in Popular Television Shows

”The Tribe” on ”Prime Time”: Jewish Representation in Popular Television Shows

This course explores the portrayal of Jewish identity and culture in some of the most popular TV shows of the past few decades. Each session focuses on a different show, analyzing how Jewish characters and themes are presented and their impact on broader cultural perceptions. Shows include Seinfeld, Friends, Transparent, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Schitt’s Creek, Sex and the City, The Simpsons, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The X-Files. Through clips, discussions, and readings, we will explore themes such as Jewish humor, family dynamics, identity, and faith, as well as the intersection of Jewish representation with other identities. This course is ideal for TV lovers, pop culture enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the evolution of Jewish representation in mainstream media.

The course is given in collaboration with Paideia – the European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden. 

Prior knowledge

No prior knowledge about the subject is needed.

To apply for this course, you need basic computer skills and knowledge of how to use the digital platform Zoom. The school offers Zoom manuals and a training opportunity before the start of the course.

Course material

Course material is included in the cost for this course.

About the teacher

Stav Meishar is an award-winning queer performance maker, multidisciplinary stage artist, academic researcher, and educator. Their work explores the intersection of history and current affairs using tools from the worlds of theater, circus, and contemporary performance. Stav majored in Musical Theater with double minors in Jewish Culture and Gender Studies.  

Photo: Collage by Stav Meishar.