Although Netflix‘s ‘Nobody Wants This‘ has done exceedingly well, the series has gathered some criticism from its Jewish viewers. The show revolves around Joanne, an agnostic sex podcaster, and Noah, a “hot rabbi” and how they manage their bumpy relationship.
Jewish viewers have raised concerns over the portrayal of Noah’s family, which is portrayed as a typical protective one, as the reflection of the Jewish community. Show creator, Erin Foster is responding to the criticism over the representation of Judaism in her series. Here’s what she said.
“That Is A Very Different Experience”: Erin Foster Defends Representation Of Judaism In ‘Nobody Wants This’
In an interview with LA Times, ‘Nobody Wants This‘ creator Erin Foster defended the representation of Judaism in her Netflix series that is being titled “stereotypical”. “I think we need positive Jewish stories right now. I think it’s interesting when people focus on, “Oh, this is a stereotype of Jewish people,” when you have a rabbi as the lead,” she said.
Foster continued, “If I made the Jewish parents, like, two granola hippies on a farm, then someone would write, ‘I’ve never met a Jewish person like that before. You clearly don’t know how to write Jewish people, you don’t know what you’re doing, and that doesn’t represent us well.'”
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In the show, Noah’s parents had to flee the Soviet Union because of right-wing antisemitism. Foster explained, “Immigrant culture is very different than American Jewish culture. That is a very different experience than someone who grew up in L.A., not being exposed to the kind of antisemitism that they were exposed to. It means something different. It’s a much more sensitive topic, and it’s much closer to their hearts.”
Foster’s Love Life Inspired Her To Write ‘Nobody Wants This’
Erin Foster also revealed during the interview that her personal life inspired the Netflix series. Foster’s husband, Simon Tikhman is Jewish and was particular about marrying someone of a similar faith. Therefore, Foster decided to convert to Judaism.
“I understand now, sitting here five years later, you don’t feel Jewish until you’ve been Jewish. When I see antisemitism, I think I’m Jewish,” she said. She continued, “I have felt more Jewish since I converted because of the lived experience way more than learning about it in a classroom and learning the date and meaning of a holiday. Existing in 2024 with what’s going on in the world, that makes me feel Jewish.”
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Foster also revealed that her relationship with Simon’s parents is nothing like the Netflix series. She related, “In real life, Simon’s parents and I have a great relationship. We always have and they honestly never had an issue with me because me converting to Judaism was such an honor for them. To bring someone into the Jewish faith was the ultimate daughter-in-law move; it bonded us in such a great way.“
