I succumbed to Shtisel-mania this summer. I am a non-Orthodox convert to Judaism and am not considered a “real Jew” by the Haredi community portrayed in this series. I am fairly certain that Nuchem would refer to me as one of those “damn evil people.” Until Shtisel, my opinion of the Haredim was also not very flattering.
I co-chair a Jewish Federation committee that advocates for religious pluralism in Israel, that in many ways “fights” the ultra-Orthodox monopoly on religion in Israel. The ultra-Orthodox are a fast-growing and marginalized population. We ignore them at our peril. Shtisel helped me see that. It also complicated my Judaism.
I cried when Shulem painted over the woman’s hair in Akiva’s painting. I wanted to be indignant at him for his reaction to the painting, but I found myself feeling his pain. I understood why he couldn’t have possibly had a different reaction to it.
As a modern woman, I wanted to agree with Giti that Ruchami should not be married at 15. However, I found myself understanding that a divorce would permanently affect her prospects for a future “normal” life in her community. I found myself agreeing with the table of men discussing whether her marriage was valid, or if she should seek a divorce.
Most of all, I saw Giti as a strong woman, a feminist in her own way. She took the power from her husband by refusing to acknowledge his betrayal when he begged her for forgiveness. She understood the power of that forgiveness and later gave it. I wanted to hate Lippe, but I found myself sympathizing with his rebellion. I didn’t want to want Giti to forgive him, but I rejoiced when she did. Both Giti and Ruchami are strong women who understand their power in a culture that many assume leaves them powerless.
By opening a window into a closed, misunderstood world, Shtisel enriched my Judaism while complicating it. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
Akiva’s artistic talent is accepted by him as gift from God, while his community seems to see it a temptation to undermine his Judaism. He said it was a part of his soul and a way for him to share “memory” in a figurative way. But Haredi culture does not have much room for figurative interpretation, and this most sensitive character risked everything to be true to his nature. I rejoiced for him when he rejected his own promise to give up painting and despaired when Zvi Aryeh gave up an opportunity to pursue his own artistic dreams. I understood why each made an opposite decision within the same cultural context.
I believe we should be engaging members of this community in our shared society work. Increasing marginalization will only lead to a greater divisions between secular and religious Jews in Israel. I very much want to engage and learn and grow in partnership with this sector of Israeli society, perhaps finding opportunities to build bridges to the women within it.
After watching Shtisel, I have changed as a Jewish woman. I won’t be covering my hair anytime soon or wearing unflattering, modest clothing, but I now kiss every mezuzah I see, and I have learned many new blessings for everyday miracles. By opening a window into a closed, misunderstood world, Shtisel enriched my Judaism while complicating it. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
(21) Anonymous, August 18, 2020 8:38 PM
Same
I too was so drawn in by Shitsel and loved every episode. It was modest, spiritual, powerful and has accompanied me every day since I obsessively watched it and despaired at its finishing. Their pain, struggle and faith in their every day life was so real and palpable.
The acting was superb. I cannot believe that the people that live around me and that I work with would not be as engrossed with it as I was. But I am a jew and they are not. So I don't want to speak to them about it. Somehow, I want to protect the Shitsel family from the acid of the people around's judgement on my beloved people.
No, I don't cover. But I am not married. But bless them for their covering.
(20) Yael Katlin, December 13, 2019 2:15 AM
Can I give you some advice?
Sure! Why not?
Stop looking at different types of Jews and instead concentrate on what G-d wants from you.
Rambam, Maimonides, teaches that one should be careful to stay away from bad people. And if the whole world turns crazy, says Maimonides, and they will therefore be a bad influence on you, move to the caves in the hills and live there, he instructs.
What I"m saying is, stop looking at different types of people and trying to figure out who are the bad guys and who are the good guys.
Instead try to study the Torah as best as you can and try to figure out what Hashem wants from you, irregardless of which people are doing what.
Let's say every sect is mistaken and no one's right? That doesn't take away every person's responsibility to fulfill G-d's will and do the right thing. If we don't our lives are a waste.
If I were you (and if I were me, which I am!), I would forget different groups and types of Jews and instead spend my time and my relatively short time on this planet trying to figure out and fulfill the will of Hashem. We only get one chance to be the best us we can be.
Thanks for sharing the above article!
(19) modah ani, December 12, 2019 4:36 PM
As a person who yearns for Hashem and a Jewish way of life but always finds herself in front of closed doors, this opportunity was a blessing to find out more about Derech Hashem (not only from the book).
(18) NECHAMA, December 12, 2019 10:19 AM
SO HAPPY FOR YOU JULIA
Our personal opinions about the Shtisel series are irrelevant. What's important is that in Julia's case, it helped her find joy in increasing her observance and opened her mind and heart to the Orthodox sector.
As an ultra orthodox woman who has lived in Israel for 56 years, I can say that we should all increase our love for the Jewish people, our Jewish commitment and our Jewish knowledge. We should not judge anyone for belonging to a specific sector. Any Orthodox individual who follows his/her rabbi's halachic decisions is definitely going in the right direction.
Julia, I sincerely recommend that you join the AISH "Pathways" program to increase your understanding of Jewish observance and outlook.
Love,
Nechama
joshua, December 16, 2019 3:12 AM
So kind
Spoken like a true bas Avroham, Nechama, such a baalas midos.
(17) Drew, December 12, 2019 9:20 AM
It's a stage to present a human Drama
I am not Jewish nor do I plan to convert, but I travel to Israel regularly (2 -3 times a month) and have a goal of being fluent in Hebrew in the near future.
With that out of the way I find the reactions to this TV show, I emphatically state TV show/drama, are very telling about our modern culture. It appears to me too many perceive dramas like Shtisel as being reality and forget the writers are using a stage to tell a story and their opinions of life around them.
Even in Israel my acquaintances, who are non-religious, seem to think this drama is picture of reality amongst this sect of people. They do the same with the other "hit" series 'Fuada.'
It has been my experience our TV and Media writers often, if not always, use dramas to paint a picture about subjects important to them and so it is with Shtisel. To me this show does nothing more than spread ill thoughts about our fellow humans and because of that my wife and I will not watch it any more (after two seasons).
As we observe the world around us it is important to not forget to remember TV is NOT reality. Even Shtisel tried to hint at this in the final scene of the season where they openly compared the show to the soap opera the mother was watching and addicted to.
Shtisel is nothing more than another "General Hospital" and all the others like them.
As someone one already pointed out, get to know the real people in the real world.
Shira, December 17, 2019 7:23 AM
You're right
You are so right. I think you put in to words what I felt for a while. As an ultra orthodox woman, I've experienced mixed feelings with all the conversation about how shtisel changed people's perceptions of us. On the one hand, I was happy they were getting a more favorable impression and understanding that we're real humans. On the other, these are fake characters. In real life, we're all individuals with our own stories. It's not like everyone subscribes to the exact same mindset and everything is so black and white. We're all people with different emotions, different opinions, and different life experiences. In addition, the show isn't 100% accurate of orthodox life. There are certain cultural aspects that would be hard for an outsider to notice.
S Pitz, December 22, 2019 4:44 PM
Oy Vei
It took you two seasons entailing over 20 episodes and 20 hours of watching your tv to come to such a dogmatic conclusion? Seriously?
(16) Dovid R, December 12, 2019 7:59 AM
Shtisel gave you an extremely unrealistic image
The little I know of Shtisel is all second-hand, but I can confidently write that it bears little resemblance to reality. You would do so much better to actually get to know Hareidim. You will find they are much more "normal" and approachable than you imagine, very rarely filled with the intrigue and sinfulness you will find on TV. I actually fear that sympathy aside, the image of Hareidim you received from Shtisel will only confirm some of your biases against them.
It actually pains me to read you describing yourself as someone who "fights" the Hareidim and their religious monopoly when your knowledge of them seems to stem from the media - and it appears you never bothered getting to know who they actually are and what their values are truly based on. I'll be a little blunt in writing that their values stem from a tradition which predates the denomination of Judaism you joined by thousands of years. There actually is a lot of plurality in Judaism, but limited to those who faithfully follow the teachings and beliefs we received at Sinai. And for that matter, there are many true Jewish artists, throughout history and until today.
Written respectfully - hopefully this first taste of "Hareidi" Judaism, however skewed, will lead you to attempt to truly understand other Jews and other perspectives.
(15) Aviel, December 11, 2019 10:32 PM
Shtisel a soap opera that portrays Haredim negatively
I’m not Haredi but many are more tolerant and more ethical than those portrayed. Because it’s an insular Jewish community there is interest but it’s basically an unflattering picture and not even very well done.
(14) Anonymous, December 11, 2019 6:49 PM
NOT IMPORTANT
LAST PLACE YOU WANT TO LEARN ABOUT JUDAISM IS HOLLYWOOD.
TURN OFF YOUR TV, BLOCK YOUR INTERNET AND GET INTO G-D.
THEN YOU WILL SEE WHAT LIFE IS REALLY ALL ABOUT>
Anonymous, December 12, 2019 1:08 AM
internet
and you got onto this website...how??
(13) Channa, December 11, 2019 12:43 PM
Reaching out respectfully
Many of the comments to this article were disturbing. I think the whole point of this article is to encourage us to build bridges between Jewish groups with whom we may not otherwise have contact. This really goes both ways and it's very important relational work. Yoma 9b tells us that the second temple was destroyed because of baseless hatred. Until we set aside our differences and honor the divine spark of truth and good in one another, we have not overcome this problem. It is out of line to question the legitimacy of the author's conversion. I applaud Aish for publishing this article.
(12) Anonymous, December 11, 2019 10:11 AM
We Need a Counter to Schtisel Part 2
How about the incredible work that Chabad does with their organization called Friendship Circle which provides children with special needs with a full range of social recreational experiences and which provide their parents with respite and support. They do this work throughout the country in public schools. Can't Hollywood do something productive like that? Show the good, the acceptance, the humanity of groups like that? How about a show that has shown the incredible impact Aish has had on millions of Jews through education, singles programs, trips to Israel, etc.?
(11) Dean Gould, December 11, 2019 10:10 AM
We need a counter to Schtisl Part 1
My wife and I have not yet succumbed to watching this show, but I can already tell by this article that it most probably is causing a lot of confusion and maybe anti-antisemitism. Haredim do not represent some of the faster growing sects of Orthodox Judaism. The Aish movement, Modern Orthodox, Chabad are examples of Judaism which accept all Jews as Jews, regardless as to their level of observance, but if properly converted, for the right reasons, after a lot of pushback, they accept converts openly and lovingly. As a secular Jew having been exposed and having attended Chabad Shuls for the last 25 years, having had our 13 and 11 year old son and daughter attend the most incredible pre-schools and Hebrew schools at Chabad, having attended many Aish functions in California, and having interacted with many, many modern Orthodox, I can promise you that none of them are anything like what is being portrayed on this show. I have attended so many fun, humorous, enlightening activities, events, simchas, and mitzvah gatherings with these groups, I have seen the amazing work they do to bring light, goodness, and to help create a better world for all man-kind, that it concerns me and saddens me that this is what people see and believe is an Ultra Orthodox Jew. Read the books, "Garden of Peace"; Garden of Emuna by Rabbi Shalom Arush and you will learn of an amazing Rabbi who cares for all Jews and whose books have not only deeply impacted the Jewish world from secular to Orthodox, but who has fan clubs and study groups which formed in the Christian world. I believe he comes from the Israeli Breslov sect of Judaism. Can't Hollywood produce something better? Why not create a fun, truthful reality show or story about a Chabad Rabbi? How about one about Rabbi Schlomo Schwartz, of blessed memory. How about a show which portrays the amazing work of Chai Lifeline; an Orthodox Group which helped my son survive both mentally and physically through 5.5 years of chemotherapy.
(10) Sora, December 10, 2019 9:47 PM
Interesting article. As a point of information it is not just Haredi but all observant people who honor only an orthodox conversion to determine who is Jewish.
(9) Marlene Josephs, December 10, 2019 9:31 PM
Were your forebears forced converses from Spain?
My husband and I recently spent three weeks in Spain, the first couple at a Sukkot program in Cadiz in the south and we toured with our group during the four days of Chol HaMoed and then a week more after. We learned a lot...and are continuing our edcuation about the entire Jewish history of Spain since the 1st and 2nd Temple periods when they first arrived in Toledo. I ask if your ancestors were from there because your name, Malaga, with an accent on the first syllable, is a name of one of the several towns/cities that we toured.
(8) Michel, December 10, 2019 8:47 PM
I'm glad this Shtisel helped you, Ms. Malaga
It's good to see that it has helped you recognize your prejudices against the orthodox community. Based on your unflattering comment about their modest outfits, it appears that you still have a long way to go. Please consider that it does not matter whether or not the Haredim consider you Jewish. It only matters if Hashem has bestowed on you a Jewish soul at your "non-orthodox" conversion. You will get to find out when you pass on to Olam Habaa.
But if I were you, I would hedge my bet by getting a true conversion and continue learning the authentic principles of Jewish Hashkafa, or as you call it "closed misunderstood world".
Sarah K., December 11, 2019 2:01 PM
Kol HaKavod!
You said ALL I wanted to say... Not a word less or more!
(7) David Freedman, December 10, 2019 8:23 PM
Bad Show. Everyone is a Liar
I know I am in the minority, but I think that Shtisel is a horrible show for religious Jews. Every one of the supposedly religious people in the show is a liar. Think about it.
(6) Bracha Goetz, December 10, 2019 6:16 PM
What a great piece!
(5) zlate1, December 10, 2019 6:15 PM
Unflattering Clothing Doesn't Depend on Degree of Religiosity
I would invite the author to Boro Park Williamsburg Flatbush. Maybe she would like to attend a Charedi Chasunah. She would certainly change her mind about modest clothing being unflattering. Wearing unflattering clothing is not a matter of religious belief. Rather it depends on the taste or lack of of the wearer.
(4) Hanna Zehnwirth, December 10, 2019 5:00 PM
I think the series showed the correct view of that part of Haredi Yiddishkeit There is a very close family tie usually not what was portrayed in the film. I know
very loving families who are Hareidi and wonderful people
(3) Tova Saul, December 10, 2019 3:55 PM
Very Smart Comments Here so Far.
I think we should all invite Julia for Shabbat. Julia, I can be reached in Jerusalem at 050 761 2109, and my email is tovasaul@yahoo.com. If you're allergic to cats, bring allergy meds.
And yes, modest clothing can be flattering. Go into any Walmart in summertime and see how flattering immodest clothing is.
Raymond, December 13, 2019 12:56 AM
Invited for Shabbat
Why does she get invited for Shabbat but not me? I am jealous. :-(
(2) Frances Weingarten, December 10, 2019 3:20 PM
A very well put article.
Julia Malaga wrote a very touching and meaningful article on Shtisel and orthodox Judaism. She has a very well developed understanding of orthodox Jewery and her outlook toward it is comendable.
I'm a born Jewish woman and for a good part of my life didn't have the respect or understanding of Orthodox Judaism that my parents and grandparents had and that I now treasure. I watched all of Shtisel's world through all the episodes and have a much stronger and more knowledgeable sense of orthodox Judaism.
(1) Anonymous, December 10, 2019 10:07 AM
Why is modest clothing unflattering?
I am trying to determine how the comment about the author not wearing “modest, unflattering clothing” went out to print. Is all modest clothing unflattering? Is all immodest clothing flattering?
Please review this unfortunate generalization and misinformation.
Thank you,
Hannah
Anonymous, December 10, 2019 3:11 PM
Totally
I was wondering the same thing. All in all, great article and then this at the end just killed it.
In fact, not all immodest clothing and not all the time; yet many immodest articles of clothes and many of the time, are quite unflattering.
I never did understand why someone with a large backside would don leggings...