Growing up Jewish BBC 1

[Roomination]

Has anyone watched this ? I was up most of the night shivering after covid booster and came across this. It was so gentle, thoughtful and touching I’m just recommending it in case anyone else hasn’t spotted it. I’d not heard or seen anything about it and found it while I was trawling through iPlayer for something to pass the time.

It’s about 4 kids preparing for their Bar/Mitzvah . Of course the Guardian review is that it’s wildly inappropriate for these times . They said it wasn’t ‘wrong’ but was bizarre’. Isn’t it something for a reviewer to decide how we have to chart the most important rite of passage for many Jews and concentrate more on balancing it with the war, because heaven forbid we can just be joyous until the conflict calms down and try carry on with our lives.

I rarely read a generous review from the Guardian. Always feels like they have their heads up their arses. From what you have said they said I'd have been shocked if they had said anything nice. G-d forbid!

The Guardian described bar mitzvah prep as bizarre??

I really enjoyed the programme. I wish I’d not read the review. I was really hacked off with it. Would they call any other faith’s preparations bizarre! I think we know the answer to that.

I have watched the programme, and found it really warming, enlightening and well-made. The children were delightful and I thought the documentary looked at both the reform and orthodox angles respectfully and positively. I used to work closely with the ultra-orthodox Jewish community in Stanford Hill London some years ago, and since then have always found Jewish culture and traditions really interesting.

I also read the guardian review, and thought, “what a load of rubbish” about it.

I've haven't seen the programme...will give it a watch at some point.

I read the guardian review open mouthed. Wtf

I watched lit last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. I thought it was sensitively done. I'll be showing it to my DC so they can see what they could be looking forward to!

My DH and I commented that it was good to shine some daylight on Judaism during these dark times. We hoped many non-Jews would watch it and not view us as so 'other'.

Hi all, I'm not Jewish but watched this and wondered if there was a thread on it. I thoroughly enjoyed it, the kids were smashing.

I grew up in the CofE (fairly lapsed now) but I will never forget my children's bible that had a dramatic picture of the parting of the Red Sea in the centre pages. A bit like Dylan, I used to feel sad for the horses when the waves closed in!

I lost both of my amazing parents over the last 18 months and reconnecting with the rituals of church that were a big part of my childhood has been very comforting. Watching the programme I recalled my own preparation for Confirmation, the classes, mum buying a special outfit and a silver cross pendant for me and the treat of a Chinese meal afterwards.

The Guardian review was completely pointless and in it being so, the reviewer exposed herself I felt.

I watched and enjoyed it. Thought everyone came across really well.
I didn’t see the Guardian review, but the Times previewed it favourably. I think I found out about it from the paper.

I watched it too, I am also not a Jewish person ( Church of Scotland )

A couple of weeks ago there was also a programme about Passover, can't remember which TV channel - I guess BBC 1 too ? the presenter is a Jewish man and visited several Jewish families during Passover and shared their meals with them.
One family set a place for one of the hostages.

It was wonderful. I must rewatch it. One of the fathers, the rabbi I think, made a beautiful speech, something along the lines of look at all these people here today who love you, live your life so you’re always regarded this way, do them proud.
Madly paraphrasing but I thought it was a beautiful framing of the B’mitzvah.