Love may be a universal theme, but the way it is portrayed can vary profoundly from one work to another. This is evident in the series Nobody Wants This and the film Transmitzvah. Both productions, available on Netflix, revolve around dilemmas involving Judaism, sibling dynamics, and the complex relationships between love, identity, and values. However, while one seems to disdain our traditions, the other honors them with respect and depth.
Nobody Wants This: Love that rejects values
Nobody Wants This tells the story of a rabbi who, while trying to balance his religious role with his personal life, finds himself in love with a non-Jewish woman.
The storyline, filled with witty dialogue and sarcastic humor, carries an unmistakable message: it’s better to abandon faith and traditions for the sake of a shallow love, devoid of roots and respect for one’s origins. While the premise is intriguing, its execution feels caricatured, even disrespectful, ignoring the depth of the dilemmas that such choices truly entail. The series offers a simplistic and disposable view of Jewish beliefs, treating them as outdated accessories. The rabbi’s emotional and ethical struggles are portrayed superficially, while the notion that “love conquers all” serves as justification for forsaking values and traditions—something that impacts not just individuals, but an entire community and cultural heritage.
Transmitzvah: Reconciliation and rediscovery
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have Transmitzvah, an emotional film that tells the story of a trans woman who, as an adult, decides to reconnect with her family and Jewish heritage by celebrating her Bat Mitzvah. As a child, she had rejected the opportunity to have a Bar Mitzvah when she was still a boy. Now, she sees this ritual as a chance for reconciliation and acceptance.
The narrative follows her journey of self-discovery and reconnection, supported every step of the way by her brother. The film delves into complex issues of identity, belonging, and faith, demonstrating that traditions can be adapted and recontextualized without losing their essence.
Here, Judaism is not seen as a hindrance but as a solid foundation upon which family relationships and self-acceptance can be built. The story celebrates the beauty of love that embraces, respects differences, and reinforces the importance of values that transcend generations.
Two loves, two messages
Although both works center on love, Nobody Wants This and Transmitzvah present radically opposing views on the role of Judaism in their characters’ lives. While the series portrays love as something that supersedes values and traditions, the film depicts it as a force that strengthens them.
Personally, I can’t help but ask: which love is genuine? Can love that disregards our roots and beliefs truly be real? Or is true love the kind that accepts us wholly, including our convictions and the legacy we carry?
Between the fleeting laughter of Nobody Wants This and the heartfelt tears of Transmitzvah, I choose the latter. Transmitzvah reminds us that love and values don’t have to conflict; they can coexist, creating a richer, more inclusive, and more meaningful legacy. After all, true love doesn’t demand that we abandon who we are—it inspires us to be even more faithful to ourselves.
Pati Menda Oliszewski and her husband, Rabbi Ari Oliszewski, live with their family in Virginia Beach. They moved to the area in 2023.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Jewish News.