Nobody Wants This…but everyone does!
10.3.2025
Few things in life offer as much comfort as a piping hot bowl of a Jewish grandmother’s chicken noodle matzo ball soup. Lovingly known as the Jewish penicillin, I am fairly confident there is in fact some undiscovered medicinal component of this delicacy. Beyond healing aches and pains, the nutrients in the coveted soup have the ability to nourish your soul in a way that is only understandable if you have experienced the magic first hand. Binging the Netflix hit Nobody Wants This is the equivalent of an intravenous drip of my mother’s best batch of chicken noodle soup. At a time when I feel overwhelmed by the darkness in the world, the daily reminder of the evil that exists within humanity and the barrage of misplaced outrage all around us, this show didn’t just entertain me, it revived me. I promise to avoid any spoiler alerts for those who have not allocated the time to watch this rom-com, and I don’t even think my hype will oversell it.
Based on their real lives, let me begin by thanking Erin and Sara Foster for sharing their hilarious humor and “shiksa” perspectives on the beauty and silliness of the rules around religion as a backdrop to an unlikely love story. The show's title and trailers tell us it is about navigating falling in love with someone that feels so right to you, but everyone else tells you it is so wrong. Layer in the “Hot Rabbi” as the son of a stereotypically overbearing Jewish mother, the bitchy sister-in-law with an allegiance to his ex-fiance, your ride-or-die sister and divorced parents because your father came out as a homosexual and you have the formula for perfection. A connection with each of these characters is instant; I am not exaggerating when I say I want to be their friend too and maybe even attend Miriam’s bat mitzvah (IYKYK). Let me be clear though, I do not want to discourage any non-Jewish viewer from watching this show. It offers an equal opportunity of enjoyment for everyone and anyone. Judaism is a perfect layer of humor, but the jokes are relatable to all and being a member of our tribe is absolutely NOT required to fully enjoy it. If you are a hopeless romantic and like to laugh, please make a date with yourself to enjoy this 10-episode series that is a recipe for deliciousness. My only critique is that google searches have yet to confirm a second season. The opportunities for storylines are endless and we are hooked; please don’t leave us hanging now Foster sisters!
In all honesty, the timing for this show to premiere was ideal. The Netflix hit offers light, levity and love amidst a world that feels full of darkness. The combination of the impending anniversary of the massacre of October 7th, the ongoing inability to get the hostages home and the escalating war in the Middle East creates feelings of constant stress, sadness and hopelessness. This week is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year. Traditionally we speak of wishes for a good, sweet and peaceful new year and make promises of celebrating “next year in Jerusalem.” These are the words I have written on cards, sent in texts and said to loved ones my entire life. This year feels different. I said them, but with such a different level of importance, intention and necessity. Goodness must continue to be a guiding principle of our religion because this value has always defined our people.
When my kids were younger and we would discuss the story behind each Jewish holiday around the table, the summation typically ended in the same joke: They tried to kill us, we survived, let’s eat. Obviously this is a ridiculous simplification of the plight of the Jewish people throughout history. But, stories from thousands and thousands of years ago felt so distant, making light of the tale felt somewhat reasonable. Not anymore. This year we use these examples of our strength and survival as sources of inspiration and resolve as we navigate the highest levels of anti-semitism since the Holocaust and anecdotes of unabashed hate all around us. With each passing news cycle, there is an increased sense of urgency for prayers for peace. These holidays bring a renewed connection to Judaism for me, and for so many others. There is an overwhelming sense of responsibility to show up and stand up for being Jewish. My grandfather, who fled Vienna, Austria after observing the enthusiasm for Hitler, viewed practicing Judaism as a privilege. As I visualize Grandpa Fred wrapping his tallis around my brother at his bar mitzvah, I remember my grandfather’s emotion during the ceremony. He was filled with tears as he recounted the personal significance of this moment through his thick Austrian accent. L’dor vador is a Hebrew phrase meaning “from generation to generation” and is a central concept in Judaism. The ability to pass traditions, customs and stories to future generations is a responsibility that is taken seriously; sustaining our religion depends on it. I feel the weight of this task differently than I have ever felt during previous high holidays.
Jewish geography is a real thing beyond the networking game our kids play after attending sleepaway camp and heading to college. According to current estimates there are about 16 million Jews globally, which is around 0.2 percent of the worldwide population. Now imagine that about 7 million Jews live in Israel and almost 6 million in the US. So, the web of relatives and connections is incredibly intertwined, especially between Israel and the US. As our mutual friends feature on Facebook reminds us, we are tightly connected to each other. Being Jewish has been heavy for the past year. Stories of heartache, loss, fear and agony permeate too many stories that are ultimately about someone who we are connected to in some way. Perhaps this is another reason I reveled in the good feelings of Nobody Wants This. We connected to a Jewish experience that was familiar and comfortable, made us laugh, gave us hope and confirmed that there are crazier families out there than “ours.” This was a very welcome and much-needed relief from the daily news stories of hate, anger and blame that target everything Jewish.
AND SO IT GOES…as I prepare for the holiday dinner, I find comfort in the traditions that connect me to previous generations. And yes, it is all about the food in Judaism. As the smell of homemade applesauce (I genuinely did not know applesauce came in jars until college) fills my home, I am choosing to focus on the sweetness of the new year. Our menu includes my mother’s mouth watering matzo ball soup (technique acquired from her best friend’s mother, no such thing as a recipe), Aunt Syl’s noodle kugel (not my Aunt, but she’s related to another one of my mother’s best friends) because out of all the variations, this one is perfection and my grandmother’s “To Die For” chocolate cake. This recipe came with strict instructions that I was not allowed to share her secret ingredient, under any circumstances. Food is a serious part of L’dor vador for Jews. Maybe Jewish cooking should be part of a formal conversion program in addition to the mikvah (look it up if you don’t know)…Foster sisters, are you listening? This could be good content for season two…
May this new year be sweet, purposeful and peaceful. Shanah Tovah!