Brooklyn Nine-Nine follows detective Jake Peralta, a carefree cop who has to learn the rules when a new commanding officer takes over the 99th precinct. Jake Peralta, played by Andy Samberg, is Jewish, and the show is chock-full of jokes that every Jewish teen can relate to, from his memories of awkward slow dancing at his Bar Mitzvah to games of Jewish geography.
When Jess moves into a loft with three male roommates, she meets the Jewish Schmidt. New Girl is the show to watch if you want to laugh out loud at Jess’ attempt to navigate a classic Jewish deli just to buy some soup, and of course, “Judaism, son!”
Seinfeld is probably the best-known show for its Jewish lead, Jerry Seinfeld, and his friends as they navigate everyday life in New York City. With its emphasis on bagels and Yiddish expressions, Seinfeld is a must-watch.
Within the six friends in this fan-favorite sitcom are Ross and Monica Geller, two Jewish characters living in New York City. Aspects of their Judaism are interspersed throughout the show, notably the “Holiday Armadillo”, who shows up to teach Ross’ son all about Hanukkah during a Christmas-dominated December.
From a disastrous Bat Mitzvah to a seder in Florida, Big Mouth is filled with Jewish characters and humor. Big Mouth follows a group of middle schoolers as they experience the horrors of seventh and eighth grade, including the Jewish Glasers and Gloubermans, Rabbi Paul Blart, Cantor Dina, and more.
Starring in Glee, which fabulously displays the ups and downs of the McKinley High Glee Club, is the Jewish Rachel Berry, along with another Jewish character, Noah "Puck" Puckerman. Although Glee sometimes feels like a fever dream, the Jewish characters allow for quite a few laughs.
The OC features a group of teenagers and their families who live in Newport Beach, including Seth Cohen. With one Catholic parent and one Jewish parent, Seth celebrates “Chrismukkah” every year, and the Jewish representation in The OC is only one of many reasons to put it on your “To-Watch” list.
This fan-favorite show tells the story of Midge Maisel, a Jewish woman who discovers her talent for stand-up comedy that transforms her idyllic life on the Upper West Side. This show is heavy on the Jewish traditions and Yiddish expressions we all know well, so it’s definitely a show to binge this year.
Rebecca Bunch moves from New York City to the suburbs of California on a quest for love. Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a show with a strong Jewish lead and plenty of musical numbers.
Larry David, a co-creator of Seinfeld plays a version of himself on this hilarious show. Larry lives the ins and outs of Judaism throughout the show, and as it enters its 11th season, it’s just as Jewish as ever.
Naomi Kales is a BBG from Northern Region East: DC and loves to read.
All views expressed on content written for The Shofar represent the opinions and thoughts of the individual authors. The author biography represents the author at the time in which they were in BBYO.
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