S1: E4. Mixed Blessings

In 1973, CBS cancelled the top-rated sitcom Bridget Loves Bernie after one season. The cancellation came after Jewish religious leaders objected to its positive portrayal of an interfaith marriage.

Hosts and Creators: Gillian Frank and Lauren Gutterman.

Producers: Rebecca Davis, Saniya Lee Ghanoui, and Devin McGeehan Muchmore. 

Music: “Beigalach,” “Belz Medley,” “Buhusher Chosidl,”  “Chassidic Tunes,” from Return of the Bride.  “Mother in Law,” “Kale Kale Bride,” from Jewish Klezmer Music. Maurice Ravel, “Kaddish.” “A Pleasant Strike,” “Velvet Ladder,” and “Surly Bonds,” by Blue Dot Sessions. “Oy to the World” by the Klezmonauts.

Our appreciation goes out to Rabbi Irwin Fishbein and Rabbi Simeon Maslin for speaking with us.

Many thanks to Samira K. Mehta, author of Beyond Chrismukkah, for sharing her expertise on interfaith families. 

Thank you to Keren R. McGinity, author of Still Jewish, for teaching us about the history of intermarriage.

We greatly appreciate the advice and advance feedback from Rachel Kranson and Ronit Stahl on this episode.

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We invite you to click this link to read a rough transcript of this episode.