My guess is that his dad (Frank) is supposed to be Italian, and his mom (Estelle) is supposed to be Jewish. My second guess would be that Frank Costanza is a Sephardic Jew (Spanish background) and Estelle is an Ashkenazi Jew. Has this ever been resolved?
Joe D. Foster-Grant
In article ,
George's father is definitely Italian. In the episode where George gets calzones for himself and Steinbrenner, George says to the employee:
"You know my last name is Costanza. That's Italian, so we're kind of like countrymen...Piazannos!!"
I have no idea what his mother is.
SF
[email] wrote:
Here's my take. Granted, most of the evidence is circumstantial and can be argued, but we're not in court so I see my own opinions as fact. Well, having said that.
Frank is an Italian Catholic (As Strangelove says, he's a self-proclaimed Pisan, and a member of the Knight of Columbus; a Catholic organization). Estelle is Jewish (refused to ride in a German car, wears a Chai pendant). George is therefore Jewish, as this religion is passed on through the mother. The Costanza's celebrated Christmas when George was a child (until the doll incident and Frank's invention of Festivus) but this doesn't mean much. Mixed religion families often celebrate both, or either Christmas or Chanukah. Some switch back and forth. George attempted to convert to Latvian-Orthodox, but it didn't take. George is Jewish.
While I'm at it, Jerry (and Morty and Helen) are Jewish, Elaine is Christian, maybe Catholic (between the 'shiksappeal' incident, the loose lipped rabbi, and the number of times Elaine has been seen making the sign of the cross, we KNOW she's not Jewish), Kramer? I don't know. Druid? Newman? Can the Anti-christ have a religion?
Jerry Jewish George Jewish, not practicing (father is Italian and Catholic) Elaine Catholic Kramer Father Jewish, Mother Methodist Newman Jewish Peterman Episcopalian Puddy Assmebly of God Banya Catholic
Can't everyone get over this ethnicity stuff already? It a tv show. The Seinpeople can change the characters ethnicity from episode to episode, just like they do with some of the apartment #'s.
I like this a lot! Count me in.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
What?! Puddy is Assembly of God? Is this a list you made up? If not, then can you tell me when this is revealed? Thanks! :) --Maria
Maria Rost Rublee wrote:
No, I think it was a typo. It should have read:
This fact was revealed exclusively in alt.tv.seinfeld Not only is he the king of comedy, but also he is the supreme being.
;-P
yeah, .....that's right.
and don't forget Tim watley - a "Jew by choice"
Dave wrote:
[SNIP]
I would normally agree here. However, it should be noted that my Roman Catholic uncle, Cosmo, wears a necklace with the hebraic representation of his name. Therefore, it is possible for a Catholic person to wear jewelry that appears to be Judaica, although it might not be. Furthermore, I come from a mixed family of the same persuasions being discussed here, in reverse. My father was ambivalent about celebrating Jewish holidays and we celebrated Christian and Catholic holidays. Now, my father is a bit less manic than Frank Costanza, but it is my experience that the mother drives the religious observance in families of European (excluding British, cuz I don't know anything about Brits) extraction. My opinion is colored by my upbringing. I can't seem to fully believe that Estelle is Jewish.
Did George ever fall under the spell of Shiksappeal?
Cheers, Steve
Don't you remember? The Anti-Christ is the leader of the religion on bizarro-world.
I think his mother is Jewish because she refuses to drive in German cars.
[email] wrote:
When did George become honest? You know, this is the creator of Art Van Dalay, the architect.
The only thing that keeps me from saying he's Jewish for sure is the name Costanza. But I'm with you 100% Estelle - and therefore, George is also Jewish.
In article , [email] wrote:
Finally! A serious topic! :-)
Anyway, ethnicity on Seinfeld has always been a rather slippery subject. I always thought Elaine was Jewish... given that the actor who plays her is Jewish. However, as fans now know, Elaine is a "shiksa" who almost caused a thirteen-year-old boy AND his father to renounce Judaism under the influence of her "shiksappeal"!
As for George... technically, he is now Latvian Orthodox (I don't think he ever renounced that "conversion for love"!). But seriously, one gets the impression that the Costanza's are not Jewish, although his mother is certainly a stereotypical Yiddishe mame. Recall that his father replaced Christmas with Festivus, which would suggest he had no ties to Judaism. Still, the guess is probably right about Estelle. By traditional standards, if she's Jewish, George would be too.
Bill
Bill wrote...
[snip]
George never completed the conversion.
I'd better settle this... George's father is an Italian originating in the Tuscany area. We learnt this when Jerry tried to buy real estate because Maestro had some, then Frank Costanza found out and wanted to prove he came from there by visiting his descendants Estelle though i'm not sure, most likely a non practising Jew
On Thu, 30 Apr 1998 23:51:11 GMT, [email] (Matt Walcoff) wrote:
David Alexander??? Don't you mean Jason?
Where have you seen that Julia L-D is Jewish?
my mother and i have always wondered what george's background was, he has made reference once to being italian, during the "calzone" episode when talking w/ the owner of the pizza place. But the mother acts like a stereotypical jewish woman.........."not that there is anything wrong w/ that! "
Once Frank did go to Italy, he though he had relitives there.
Joe D. Foster-Grant wrote:
Not THIS fucking thread again! C'omon man.....Leave it be!
Joe D. Foster-Grant wrote in message ...