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Over The Top Judaism »

Book cover image of Over The Top Judaism by Elliot B. Gertel

Authors: Elliot B. Gertel
ISBN-13: 9780761826248, ISBN-10: 0761826246
Format: Paperback
Publisher: University Press of America
Date Published: September 2003
Edition: (Non-applicable)

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Author Biography: Elliot B. Gertel

Book Synopsis

Over the Top Judaism offers criticism of scores of television episodes and films, mainly between 1980 and 2002, that highlight the beliefs and practices of Judaism, real or perceived. Author Elliot Gertel examines parallels and precedents in both media, and organizes the works topically, concluding with the most promising efforts. Chapters on classic television episodes cite interviews with writers and producers from Gertel's rare oral histories.

Table of Contents

Preface
Introduction1
Pt. 1From the Sublime to the Ridiculous: Distortion of Jewish Observances
Ch. 1Misdirected Life-Cycle Events11
Ch. 2Fractured Festivals51
Ch. 3Corrupted Jewish Usages and Beliefs69
Ch. 4Misguided Mourning and Afterlife81
Ch. 5Constrained Conversion95
Pt. 2Outlandish Judaisms For Bizarre Jews: TV's Deconstruction of Judaism
Ch. 6Misplaced Judaism113
Ch. 7Misapplied Nostalgia125
Ch. 8Misrepresented Practices and Sensibilities147
Ch. 9Inverted Hostilities175
Pt. 3Glimmers of Sanctity on Big and Small Screen: Admirable and Insightful Production Efforts
Ch. 10Heart and Soul199
Ch. 11Redemptive Jewish Observances213
Ch. 12Dignified Jewish Life and Identity239
Ch. 13Conversion265
Ch. 14Positive Hereafter275
Index279

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