You are SO not invited to my bat mitzvah - movie on netflix

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is Jewish and he rolled his eyes at the tremendous diversity in the Hebrew school scenes. While we understand and support representation in movies, it wasn’t realistic and to a certain extent co-opts what is a singular Jewish experience. (I’m Catholic so I don’t have a dog in this fight.)

He also pointed out that Jewish mothers spend a year+ planning the event (while the movie made it seem like they are thrown together, including shopping for the dress at the last minute).

I would have loved to see Sara Silverman or Seinfeld or another Jewish comedian make a cameo. Missed opportunity.

I was very distracted by this.

It's so sad that diversity throws off some posters. I love to see it in movies and it makes more people feel included.
We've watched it twice with groups of middle schoolers who could not get enough. Watching it the second time I caught more cute details that really cement this one as a quotable classic. I think it will be one they all watch several times.

?

Diversity isn’t throwing off viewers.

Rather, actual Jewish people thought it was odd to see so much diversity at Hebrew school. The film centers around scenes at Hebrew school, which is a unique rite of passage for Jewish people.

Beyond being unrealistic—which is expected to a large degree with Hollywood films—it simply isn’t representative of *Jewish people* and their experience.

That’s legit criticism.

A few (adopted) Asian kids would have made sense. But black kids at Hebrew school? Latinos? Not a chance…especially in NJ.

+1
Anyone being honest here would admit that. There's nothing wrong with showing things as they are. If this had been a movie about black kids, I highly doubt they would have thrown in some Asian, White, and Latinos just to make it "diverse."

Even in this area, the Jewish private schools are white only
Jewish summer camps are white only

+3

I'm Jewish. It's so frustrating because diversity has lost its true meaning and is now used to mean black vs. white. To me, this feels like the Jewish experience is no longer allowed to be depicted and celebrated for what it is. This - along with rising antisemitism - is very concerning.

I’m Jewish too and my experience couldn’t be more different. There are black and Asian kids and non-Jewish kids in my childrens’ Jewish schools and camps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is Jewish and he rolled his eyes at the tremendous diversity in the Hebrew school scenes. While we understand and support representation in movies, it wasn’t realistic and to a certain extent co-opts what is a singular Jewish experience. (I’m Catholic so I don’t have a dog in this fight.)

He also pointed out that Jewish mothers spend a year+ planning the event (while the movie made it seem like they are thrown together, including shopping for the dress at the last minute).

I would have loved to see Sara Silverman or Seinfeld or another Jewish comedian make a cameo. Missed opportunity.

I was very distracted by this.

It's so sad that diversity throws off some posters. I love to see it in movies and it makes more people feel included.
We've watched it twice with groups of middle schoolers who could not get enough. Watching it the second time I caught more cute details that really cement this one as a quotable classic. I think it will be one they all watch several times.

?

Diversity isn’t throwing off viewers.

Rather, actual Jewish people thought it was odd to see so much diversity at Hebrew school. The film centers around scenes at Hebrew school, which is a unique rite of passage for Jewish people.

Beyond being unrealistic—which is expected to a large degree with Hollywood films—it simply isn’t representative of *Jewish people* and their experience.

That’s legit criticism.

A few (adopted) Asian kids would have made sense. But black kids at Hebrew school? Latinos? Not a chance…especially in NJ.

They weren't explicit about the location. Kyle Richards' kids were Latinos at Hebrew school and I doubt they were the only ones. I went to high school with a girl named Sophia Grossman from Colombia who would always be like, hey idiots there are Jews in Latin America. She looked and talked like Shakira! My tennis coach growing up was Black and Jewish.

You're saying it was too much but I also think you're exaggerating the problem, given many of us know people like this.

DP. This is completely incorrect. Yes, Kyle Richard's husband grew up in Mexico - but he is not Latino. His last name is Umansky and he is of Russian and Greek descent. Their kids are not latina.

You are right. But there are still latin American Jews.

[Anonymous]

I’m a Latina Jew from Argentina and go to a Reform temple that is very diverse considering about 90% of American Jews are white based on some recent studies. Even my Temple isn’t like what was portrayed in the movie. Of course there are black, Asian and Latino Jews. That part isn’t weird at all. But it seemed like every other kid at this Jewish Day School was something other than white. That’s not realistic AT ALL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My does everyone assume that because they go to Jewish day school they are Jewish? I went to a catholic school and I wasn’t catholic- I went to confirmations and mass as part of school. It’s about a good education sometimes and not just about religion.

You wouldn't be in a Jewish Day School and not be Jewish. Maybe a preschool, but not a day school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can we go back to talking about the movie???

Tween DD loved it. I thought it was cute. DH tolerated. That is a huge, and rare, win in our house.

I think it is maybe this generation’s mean girls?? What do u guys think?

[Anonymous]

I loved this awesome movie. Not Jewish but could relate to so much about it. And a great family movie for tweens.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is Jewish and he rolled his eyes at the tremendous diversity in the Hebrew school scenes. While we understand and support representation in movies, it wasn’t realistic and to a certain extent co-opts what is a singular Jewish experience. (I’m Catholic so I don’t have a dog in this fight.)

He also pointed out that Jewish mothers spend a year+ planning the event (while the movie made it seem like they are thrown together, including shopping for the dress at the last minute).

I would have loved to see Sara Silverman or Seinfeld or another Jewish comedian make a cameo. Missed opportunity.

I was very distracted by this.

It's so sad that diversity throws off some posters. I love to see it in movies and it makes more people feel included.
We've watched it twice with groups of middle schoolers who could not get enough. Watching it the second time I caught more cute details that really cement this one as a quotable classic. I think it will be one they all watch several times.

?

Diversity isn’t throwing off viewers.

Rather, actual Jewish people thought it was odd to see so much diversity at Hebrew school. The film centers around scenes at Hebrew school, which is a unique rite of passage for Jewish people.

Beyond being unrealistic—which is expected to a large degree with Hollywood films—it simply isn’t representative of *Jewish people* and their experience.

That’s legit criticism.

A few (adopted) Asian kids would have made sense. But black kids at Hebrew school? Latinos? Not a chance…especially in NJ.

They weren't explicit about the location. Kyle Richards' kids were Latinos at Hebrew school and I doubt they were the only ones. I went to high school with a girl named Sophia Grossman from Colombia who would always be like, hey idiots there are Jews in Latin America. She looked and talked like Shakira! My tennis coach growing up was Black and Jewish.

You're saying it was too much but I also think you're exaggerating the problem, given many of us know people like this.

DP. This is completely incorrect. Yes, Kyle Richard's husband grew up in Mexico - but he is not Latino. His last name is Umansky and he is of Russian and Greek descent. Their kids are not latina.

You are right. But there are still latin American Jews.

Absolutely. But Mauricio Umansky isn't one of them.

[Anonymous]

Not Jewish, and the entire family enjoyed the movie. DD and I will probably watch it again soon, as she’s a big repeat watcher.

I like that it was diverse. I guess, who cares if it was accurate.

My daughter loves High School Musical the Musical the Series. It’s set in Utah and is very diverse. So more kids see themselves on screen and want to watch it. Totally fine and I’m happy to see it.

Now, if Bat Mitvah was a documentary, then it would be an issue. No way a mom would not fully watch the video in entirety before sharing with 100s of people. So you’re already suspending belief. Just enjoy the movie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is Jewish and he rolled his eyes at the tremendous diversity in the Hebrew school scenes. While we understand and support representation in movies, it wasn’t realistic and to a certain extent co-opts what is a singular Jewish experience. (I’m Catholic so I don’t have a dog in this fight.)

He also pointed out that Jewish mothers spend a year+ planning the event (while the movie made it seem like they are thrown together, including shopping for the dress at the last minute).

I would have loved to see Sara Silverman or Seinfeld or another Jewish comedian make a cameo. Missed opportunity.

I was very distracted by this.

It's so sad that diversity throws off some posters. I love to see it in movies and it makes more people feel included.
We've watched it twice with groups of middle schoolers who could not get enough. Watching it the second time I caught more cute details that really cement this one as a quotable classic. I think it will be one they all watch several times.

?

Diversity isn’t throwing off viewers.

Rather, actual Jewish people thought it was odd to see so much diversity at Hebrew school. The film centers around scenes at Hebrew school, which is a unique rite of passage for Jewish people.

Beyond being unrealistic—which is expected to a large degree with Hollywood films—it simply isn’t representative of *Jewish people* and their experience.

That’s legit criticism.

A few (adopted) Asian kids would have made sense. But black kids at Hebrew school? Latinos? Not a chance…especially in NJ.

From a reform synagogue on the west coast and the Hebrew school is pretty diverse. There are Asian, black and hispanic looking kids, mostly through intermarriage. So I don’t see it out of the norm.

In fact thinking about it there’s a teaching assistant in one of the Hebrew classes that is black and the another that has Hispanic heritage. Not every Jewish experience is white focused.

But about 98% of Jews are white. And we all know the reason for the multicultural cast wasn’t to provide a realistic representation of today’s Jewish population. It was done for the same reason as every other movie shows diversity in roles where it doesn’t make sense, so as not to receive scathing criticism from the diversity police.

But it doesn’t have to represent all Jewish people everywhere. It’s set in one diverse school in a diverse area. Other settings would look different.

+1 I am from NY and I definitely see non-White Jews. I'm not saying it's common, but it's also not shocking.

It was definitely pumped up in the movie, and I think that's a good thing. Through intermarriage and conversion- yes, the Jewish people can and will see more diversity. It's not the same thing as filming Africans in Roots.

I remember when Schitt's Creek came to a close, they did that documentary where they explained, "what if we just had a world where there is no such thing as homophobia? the world as it should be."

I think this is similar. I don't have an agenda to remove European bloodlines from Judaism, and neither do the creators of this move. But if they want to show a world where a Jewish American community has a lot of diversity and is proud of it, good for them.

Conversion is not encouraged, mixed marriages are frowned upon
Blood lines matter in Judaism. That might not fit the narrative of Hollywood but it is what it is
Most Jewish communities are proud of being Jewish, not diversity

You’re talking about Orthodox Jewish communities, or your specific non-Orthodox community. My Jewish community is actually nice.

[Anonymous]

It was cute. I’ve always been a an Adam Sandler fan (since The Cosby Show) so I enjoyed it. My DD attended a bunch of Bar/Bat Mitzvahs last year so she enjoyed it.

[Anonymous]

Tried watching it with my family - we are Jewish, have girls 13 and 11, they are huge comedy and musical theater fans. It was awful. We turned it off after 15 mins. The kids were awful, spoiled, entitled, shallow, the parents were about as bad and it was poorly acted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My husband is Jewish and he rolled his eyes at the tremendous diversity in the Hebrew school scenes. While we understand and support representation in movies, it wasn’t realistic and to a certain extent co-opts what is a singular Jewish experience. (I’m Catholic so I don’t have a dog in this fight.)

He also pointed out that Jewish mothers spend a year+ planning the event (while the movie made it seem like they are thrown together, including shopping for the dress at the last minute).

I would have loved to see Sara Silverman or Seinfeld or another Jewish comedian make a cameo. Missed opportunity.

I was very distracted by this.

It's so sad that diversity throws off some posters. I love to see it in movies and it makes more people feel included.
We've watched it twice with groups of middle schoolers who could not get enough. Watching it the second time I caught more cute details that really cement this one as a quotable classic. I think it will be one they all watch several times.

?

Diversity isn’t throwing off viewers.

Rather, actual Jewish people thought it was odd to see so much diversity at Hebrew school. The film centers around scenes at Hebrew school, which is a unique rite of passage for Jewish people.

Beyond being unrealistic—which is expected to a large degree with Hollywood films—it simply isn’t representative of *Jewish people* and their experience.

That’s legit criticism.

A few (adopted) Asian kids would have made sense. But black kids at Hebrew school? Latinos? Not a chance…especially in NJ.

They weren't explicit about the location. Kyle Richards' kids were Latinos at Hebrew school and I doubt they were the only ones. I went to high school with a girl named Sophia Grossman from Colombia who would always be like, hey idiots there are Jews in Latin America. She looked and talked like Shakira! My tennis coach growing up was Black and Jewish.

You're saying it was too much but I also think you're exaggerating the problem, given many of us know people like this.

DP. This is completely incorrect. Yes, Kyle Richard's husband grew up in Mexico - but he is not Latino. His last name is Umansky and he is of Russian and Greek descent. Their kids are not latina.

You are right. But there are still latin American Jews.

Absolutely. But Mauricio Umansky isn't one of them.

Yes. I just agreed with you about that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not Jewish, and the entire family enjoyed the movie. DD and I will probably watch it again soon, as she’s a big repeat watcher.

I like that it was diverse. I guess, who cares if it was accurate.

My daughter loves High School Musical the Musical the Series. It’s set in Utah and is very diverse. So more kids see themselves on screen and want to watch it. Totally fine and I’m happy to see it.

Now, if Bat Mitvah was a documentary, then it would be an issue. No way a mom would not fully watch the video in entirety before sharing with 100s of people. So you’re already suspending belief. Just enjoy the movie.

It feels really off to a lot of us who are Jewish though. But they clearly intended to water it down to appeal to wider masses. Their choice, but IMO it kept the movie from being really good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can we go back to talking about the movie???

Tween DD loved it. I thought it was cute. DH tolerated. That is a huge, and rare, win in our house.

I think it is maybe this generation’s mean girls?? What do u guys think?

Wha???? I liked it. It was good for a Netflix movie.

It's not a lasting cultural phenomenon.

Mean Girls is outstanding filmmaking on every level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tried watching it with my family - we are Jewish, have girls 13 and 11, they are huge comedy and musical theater fans. It was awful. We turned it off after 15 mins. The kids were awful, spoiled, entitled, shallow, the parents were about as bad and it was poorly acted.

We (including my two teens) also thought the children were spoiled and entitled. We got a few laughs out of it but ultimately did not feel too relatable.