A prominent Los Angeles rabbi was involved in the creation of Netflix’s latest hit series, “Nobody Wants This,” starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell.
Steve Leder, former senior rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, was brought in to coach the Hollywood stars on all things Jewish for the interfaith romance everyone is talking about.
“Anything in the series that is, for lack of a better way to put it, overtly Jewish — I did my best to make sure it was done with authenticity and respect,” Leder told the series. Jewish Telegraphic Agency about his role behind the scenes.
From teaching the correct pronunciation of Hebrew words to arranging the perfect Shabbat table, Leder left no yarmulke unturned in his quest for on-screen authenticity.
Brody, who plays a charming LA rabbi on the show, confessed that he desperately needed Leder’s guidance.
A prominent Los Angeles rabbi was behind Netflix’s latest hit series, ‘Nobody Wants This,’ starring Adam Brody (right) and Kristen Bell (left)
Steve Leder (pictured), former senior rabbi of Wilshire Boulevard Temple, was brought in to coach the Hollywood stars on all things Jewish for the interfaith romance everyone is talking about
Despite being famous for playing Jewish characters like Seth Cohen on “The OC,” the actor admitted, “I barely got a bar mitzvah and didn’t remember any of it.”
But Leder’s connection to the show goes deeper.
The show’s creator, Erin Foster, who drew inspiration for the series from her own interfaith love story, actually converted in his synagogue.
Foster, a blonde LA resident, married Jewish record label owner Simon Tikhman.
But not everyone believes Leder has succeeded in making the show authentically Jewish.
Brody, who plays a charming LA rabbi on the show, confessed that he desperately needed Leder’s guidance
Reactions to the highly anticipated series have been mixed.
While many viewers have embraced the series, others have raised concerns about its portrayal of Jewish women, arguing that it reinforces harmful stereotypes.
In one Glamour In OpEd, a critic writes, “While I love Noah’s commitment to Judaism…I can’t say the same about the other Jewish characters on the show – especially the women. Would it be too much to just see Jewish characters in shows without feeling different?”
A review of Time reflects a similar message, with one author writing, “While it portrays the fantasy of the ideal Jewish man in Noah, the series seems to hate Jewish women, who are depicted as whiners, harpies, and the ultimate villains of this story.” ‘
From learning the correct pronunciation of Hebrew words to arranging the perfect Shabbat table, Leder left no yarmulke unturned in his quest for on-screen authenticity.
‘I wanted to get carried away by a rom-com. Instead, I was confronted with the reality that this show might actually hate me.”
An author in the Jewish Chronicle has also criticized the portrayal of the female lead, calling her insufferable.
“Not because a rabbi would never fall in love with a non-Jew, but because Joanne (played by Kristen Bell, who seems to key in) is a truly terrible, narcissistic, whiny, and actually kind of stupid cardboard cut. character. For example, she does not realize that pork is not kosher and brings prosciutto as a gift to the rabbi’s mother, Bina. Hilarious, huh? ‘