who is jewish?

We've looked all over the web sites on Seinfeld and incredibly can't find this information. Which of the characters are supposed to be Jewish. Jerry, of course. George is Italian. Elaine we think is Jewish because of the Rabbi episode. But what about Kramer and Newman? help..

On 12 Sep 1996 12:09:30 -0400, [email] (Debzim) wrote:

just a question here....when did jewish and italian become mutually exclusive.

what evidence is that?

and *I* am jewish too.

DU wrote in article ...

find

I think the writers deliberately create ambiguity about George's religion - lots of cultural references exist about his parents' lives that would make it obvious that one or both are Jewish, but the writers never go as far as making it clear what their background is. I'm sure this is done on purpose, just for fun. As for Elaine, having seen her father in one episode, I think it's up to her mother to settle the question - her father is clearly not. I have never seen references regarding Kramer or Newman, so I think it's a non-issue because whatever religion those characters are apparently plays no role in their characterizations; George, on the other hand, whatever he is, displays ethnic qualities, as does Jerry.

to what stereotype "qualities" are you referring? watch out buddy

In article , "Ed (NY)" wrote: : :

: George possibly but his parents are from Tuscany so I doubt it. This was stated in the episode tonight here in Oz. It's the one where they put in a pool Table in George's room. Elaine tries to get the signature of "The other Guy" from the 3 tenors because she spilt red wine on the original signed photo. The Maestro has photos from Tuscany and Frank says he recognises one of the people in the photo as his cousin Carlo. This episode also has everyone walking around without pants so they have the prefect crease in them.

And to elaborate on another discussion Jerry goes to the toilet because when he comes out The other Guy from the 3 tenors is wiping his face on Jerry's pants, and the crew guy comes in and says you're on Mr Seinfeld.

Not much. I think I remember Elaine first apologizing to the rabbi because she was not of his faith.....

Rachel

On Thu, 12 Sep 1996, Rachel E. Lipson wrote:

When Elaine had to sit in Coach on the flight from St Louis to New York she missed her meal because she was in the washroom. The Stewart offered her the Kosher meal. She said, "What's the Kosher meal?" I think if she were Jewish she'd know what the Kosher meal was or at least would have some sort of vague idea, no?

Also, in the episode where she dates a Communist, she is decorating her Christmas tree.

In article , [email] (DU) wrote:

I can't believe Paul Lucas has started posting to this group...(ducking)...yikes.

Jerry is Jewish...George is Jewish, not Italian...Elaine is not Jewish...Kramer is not Jewish

djk wrote in article ...

[email]

find

that

served

just a question here....when did jewish and italian become mutually exclusive.

Great question - you are absolutely right. George has self-identified as being Italian in the Calzone episode but because he hasn't (to our knowledge) identified himself as being Jewish, we assumed he wasn't. And he acts like such a Jew!

what evidence is that?

One of us seems to remember Elaine saying to a Rabbi that she is not a practicing Jew in the episode where she is bemoaning George getting engaged instead of herself.

and *I* am jewish too.

Great. So are we..but what Kramer and Newman?

Elaine isn't. She's made references to Catholic School a few times (like the Nip episode), but remember the brith? Elaine hired the moyal, so maybe she is. But I doubt it. She did do the sign of the cross on the Manuscript episode.

Newman is. Remember how he got all hot and bothered after he caught Jerry and that Orthodox (the only Jewish people who strictly follow the dietary laws) girl making out during "Schindler's List"? He also told Jerry's parents that he had seen it "millions of times".

George..I don't know if George even knows. I think he is, because his family, and the fact that he was really offended by the O'Brien book. If Mr.Costanza was from Tuscany, he'd probably be a really devout Catholic, which he (nor his son) isn't. His mother is definitely Jewish, though. George seems to worship a god of convenience, when he needs (or wants, as evidenced by the Latvian Orthodox girl conversion thing) something, he becomes religious.

Kramer...we just met Kramer's mother last season, and I don't think Babs is Jewish.

Another issue..Jerry's name. Do you all remember in the "Talking Dirty" episode, Elaine said, "Nice going, Jerome Seinfeld!". Is that really his name? I know that Jerry Garcia and J.D Salinger are both Jeromes that went as Jerrys, so I was just wondering...Jerry doesn't exactly seem like a Jerome.

Jerry Stiller (a New York Jew) has given Frank Costanza "Jewish" (i.e., Yiddish) inflections in his portrayal of Frank Costanza. However , as you pointed out, one episode made explicit references to his being born in Tuscany. Although I am not suggesting that George is of Italian Jewish descent, many people on this newsgroup make a facile assumption that to be Italian and Jewish are oxymorons, ignoring the fact that Jews have a 2000 year history in Italy (long before there were Jews in Poland, Russia,etc., where most American Jews trace their roots, there has been a Jewish presence in Italy). I hate to be pedantic, and I repeat that I am *NOT* suggesting that George Costanza is a descendent of these Italian Jews, but it just irks me that so many people in the US, Jews included, are ignorant of the fact that there are Italian Jews, and cite the fact that George can't be Jewish, because his father is allegedly from Italy. In any case, at least according to Orthodox Jewish law, even if one's father is not Jewish but one's mother is, that person is deemed a Jew. Of course, this makes no difference in a 20th century pluralistic society where one is basically free to choose or invent whatever religious identity one pleases. On the other hand, it is moronic to be debating the presumed ethnic/religious identity of a fictional character! (But it's fun and its a typically Jewish thing to do , so what can I say?)

Elaine is NOT Jewish, I would bet money. The rabbi just happens to live in her building. Also, she is from Towson, MD. People who know Baltimore know that this is a classic WASP suburb. If she were Jewish they'd have her come from Pikesville.

Kramer is not Jewish. this is made clear in several episodes, such as the "Shrinkage" episode where he puts lobster in the Jewish girl's omelet. He had no idea what Kosher meant until it was explained to him.

George's religion is deliberately left unclear, I'd say. Culturally, he and his family are as Jewish as they come. But even in the episode where he converts to Latvian Orthodox to please a woman, his religion is never stated.

Newman could be Jewish, but I don't know of any evidence either way. The name Newman certainly could go either way. But so could Kramer, and he isn't Jewish.

Bob Wells

It was George who put lobster in the scrambled eggs he was making, and deliberately served it to Jerry's Jewish girlfriend.

As far as George's religion goes, I don't think he really cares. He believes in some God when it comes to bad things though, as you will see in the episode where it looks like NBC is going to make their show and they will be successful and famous, something that George don't think God will allow him to be.

Lars J

Oh NO..not again

pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease NO!!!

Lisa

During the rabi episode she state she isn't of hsi faith & during the episode in which Jerry's apartment gets fumigated she is seen crossing herself before dashing in to retrive a manuscript.

There is an episode of Seinfeld where Elaine explicitly tells a Rabbi that she is not of his faith. I also recall another episode where Jerry said something that implied that Elaine is not Jewish.

FWIW

Jeff

I'm pretty sure Elaine is Catholic. George's mother is Jewish, I'm almost sure of that, and according to the Torah, if your mother is Jewish, you're Jewish. Just my $0.02 worth.

On Fri, 13 Sep 1996, Jeff Doar wrote:

she is

that

Jerry said to Elaine "Let me tell you something about Jewish people" or something like that.

Brendan Bugeja

who cares?

Please! somebody come up with some proof that Elaine is Jewish. She has to be. If she isn't, the whole premise of the paper I'm about to write will crumble.

All explicit evidence indicates she isn't Jewish. I'm afraid your premise must necessarily crumble.

SKUG wrote:

"Raoul the conqueror  wrote:
">Please!  somebody come up with some proof that Elaine is Jewish. She has
">to be. If she isn't, the whole premise of the paper I'm about to write
">will crumble.
"
"All explicit evidence indicates she isn't Jewish.
"I'm afraid your premise must necessarily crumble.
"
	But wait!  The Godfather episode had Elaine looking for a...a...the guy who
performs circumcisions (moile?). And doesn't Elaine consult the cable rabbi in
her building?  I seem to recall her saying he wasn't *her* rabbi, when he asks
if she wants to talk about her feelings.
	epbrown
[email]
Laptop Central
http://www.enteract.com/~epbrown

I believe her exact words were, in fact, "I'm not of your faith". I'd call that definitive proof she ain't Jewish.

Raoul, you ain't got a leg to stand on.

Elaine is Catholic, or at least went to Catholic school, because there's an episode where she talks about nuns at Catholic school, or something like that. I remember being quite surprised, because I had always assumed she was Jewish. George talked about taking Xmas presents to his parents in one episode, but he's got to be Jewish.

It has been stated in the series that:

Jerry is Jewish. Elaine is not Jewish. We don't know about George - all we know is that his father originally came from Tuscany in Italy.

No info regarding ethnic background has ever been given regarding Kramer or Newman.

I wonder if the Mad About You newsgroup has this debate.

Robert Sachs wrote -

Thanks for your info. But what about the Rabbi episode? (see the previous posting..) Are you absolutely sure about Elaine? And what do people think about the fact that all of this very ambiguous? Sorry, if this discussion has been had to death but we are Jews from Venus and haven't been around for awhile.

In Mad About You, it's all explicit, don't you think?

Any insights/thoughts would be appreciated...

Italian... somone who or whose family originates from italy

Jewish... someone who or whose family is of the Jewish faith

George...Just a typical New Yorker...Melting Pot.. as it were..

Lisa...

Robert Sachs wrote -

Maybe in RL, but NOT in the show. Remember the episode where Angela hits Becky Gelke's car and just drives off?

George:  Oh yes, the blonde with the blue sweatpants.  Too bad you can't
         say anything because of Angela...
Jerry:   Angela.  Lousy thug.  What kind of sick person does something like
         that.  The woman belongs in prison.  I actually owe it to society
         to do something about this.  It's a moral question is what it is.
George:  You can't compromise your principles.
Jerry:   I'm not religious, but I certainly know where to draw the line.
         =================

Lars J

Jerry has acknowledged being Jewish at least twice on the show even though he is not devout. He acknowledges it when consoling Elaine in The Postponement.

In The Cigar Store Indian, after the Chinese postman gets upset with him asking where a good Chinese restaurant is - Jerry tells George that he doesn't get upset when someone asks him for directions for how to get to Israel.

So Jerry isnt Jewish just because he says hes not religious? that makes no sense.

In article , [email] (Lars J. Aas) writes...

I hate to get into this "who is Jewish" debate, but...

Jerry might not be "religious," but he certainly *has* given some clues that he may be Jewish. One occurred in an early show recently shown in sydication: when Jerry hears that a cousin of his changed his name from pronouncing it Le-VEEN to Le-VINE, he made a joke about his own name and acted as it would be ridiculous to make himself sound like a gentile. Also, in the episode where the Asian guy gets made when Jerry asks him if he knows any good Chinese restaurants in the area, Jerry says "I don't get mad when people ask me directions to Jerusalem!"

Just because Jerry isn't religious doesn't mean he is not Jewish. Thousands of years ago to be Jewish you had to be practicing, but now the term Jewish can refer to either your race, religion or background.

Remember in the episode `The Indian'? Jerry tells George that he wouldn't be offended if someone asked him where ISRAEL was (in defence of asking an Asian postman where the Chinese restaurant was, when he was with the native American girl).

In real life, they're all jewish.

Bully for them!

They also got brown-hair...double-bully!

no they are not

haven't we been through all this two million times already?

if you stop posting replies, it will die.

yeah I know -- and this is my last post on the subject