I was hoping that someone else would post this question, but since no one has I will. I know there are a lot of Friends experts on the board.
How is Ben part Jewish? Are Ross and Monica Jewish? Does anyone remember an episode where they said Ross was Jewish before this one?
I know it isn’t a big question but it has been bothering since I watched the show last night.
As far as I know, it’s the first time anything has come up… I was rather surprised by the story line.
Since it was said early in the show that normally the two mothers do that Santa Claus thing, it’s seems reasonable to assume that Ross and Monika are Jewish. According to my mother, Geller is somewhat of a Jewish name, although I cannot confirm/deny that. The must be completely Jewish, otherwise Ben would not be half Jewish, but more like quarter Jewish.
Yes, Monica and Ross are Jewish. I don’t recall exactly where it was mentioned, but I know it was early in the show. I believe they are non-practicing, however.
Yes, Monica and Ross are Jewish, but basically non-practicing, or not very devout. They have mentioned it a couple of times.
I remember an episode where they were doing a Secret Santa gift thing, and Ross got Monica, but wanted to trade, since he was already getting her something for Haunakkah (sp?).
There was also an early episode with the grandmother’s funeral, and at the Geller’s house, there was a mirror covered with a black cloth.
Plus, their father is Elliott Gould! He’s Jewish, isn’t he?
Geller is indeed a Jewish name - take, for instance, Uri Geller, or Sarah Michelle Geller, or countless other Gellers I’ve known in Israel. Anyway, it always been obvious that Ross and Monika are Jewish. Just look at their family dynamic, their personalities (in a cultural sense), and the fact that their father is Eliot Gould. It’s as clear as the fact that Joey is Italian, Chandler is a WASP and Phoebe is an alien.
I’ve alway’s wondered they’ve never mentioned the religion/ethnic background of these characters. They don’t have to make it a parody, like the Nanny, only the occasional reference, like Willow on Buffy and Ivanova on Babylon 5. Perhaps this kind of candor has to fall in the realm of sci-fi.
At least it isn’t as bad as the Paul Reiser character in *Mad About You{/i].
I can’t believe I have missed it! I am a devout Friends watcher. I thought that I had seen every episode. I had no idea that Monica and Ross were Jewish.
I am going to have to find a different favorite show. It is obvious that Friends is too complex for me.
Is Rachel Jewish?
She lived in the same neighborhood as Monica while growing up, her name is Rachel Green…isn’t Green usually a Jewish name? And ‘Rachel’ is more Jewish (to me) then ‘Monica’.
She comes across as rather WASP-y to me, but it seems like she should be Jewish, too.
I think Monica and Ross are only part Jewish, which would make Ben even a smaller part Jewish. In fact, ISTR at some point during last night’s episode where Ross said he was only part Jewish.
Evidence against Monica & Ross’ Judaism…
Monica (& Phoebe) have a Christmas tree. Maybe it’s just Monica’s nod to pop culture, but I doubt it. Also, I doubt that Phoebe would have been eager to have a Christmas tree; I’ve always pegged her as more of a Pantheist. But I digress…
Waaaaayyyyy back in the first season, there was a blackout, and everybody’s at Monica’s place burning candles. Joey comes in with a Menorah. Why didn’t Monica have one?
[speculating]Wouldn’t a Jewish chef have a hard time finding work? I mean, if Jews don’t eat pork, and Jews don’t eat dairy & meat products on the same dish, can we assume that they wouldn’t serve such foods, either?[/speculating]
Kinsey wrote:
That episode was rerun quite recently (Tuesday or Wednesday) in Atlanta; I remember a rather large ham being prominently displayed on the table at the post-funeral reception. So if the Gellers are Jewish, they aren’t especially observant.
BTW, are Ross & Monica Gellers or Gellars? I’ve seen it both ways.
It’s probably Chandler’s tree. Hmm?
I usually keep mine in the back of the closet and only take it out for Hannukka. God knows where Joey got his
Nobody said they were observant Jews. Most American Jews aren’t - it doesn’t make them less Jewish.
Anyway, my wife, the chef, used to work in an Italian restaurant. The fact that she keeps Kosher didn’t prevent her from serving meat-and-cheese lasagna, and neither did the fact that she was a vegitarian. She just didn’t go around licking her hands.
Alessan:
Monica has had a tree every season; when Rachel was her roommate for the first 5 (was it 6) seasons, and then this season with Phoebe (and Chandler) as her roommate(s).
Joey got his Menorah from Chandler; Chandler’s last roommate was Jewish and he apparently forgot it when he moved out. Still doesn’t explain why Monica didn’t have one, when she was seemingly burning every candle at her disposal.
Just a WAG, but I’d say that Monica & Ross’ father is Jewish, and that their mother is [speculating] Catholic[/speculating]. The only reason I can speculate that their mother is Catholic is that she seems to use guilt as a weapon; aren’t Catholic mothers big on guilt?
Ooh, and to further complicate things, you are only Jewish if your mother was. Having a Jewish father means bupkus. So Mrs. Geller would have to be Jewish for Ross (and Ben) to also be Jewish. Source: my pepperoni-loving, non-practicing Jewish wife.
Of course, observing the matriarchal progression might also go along with keeping kosher, and hence get ignored.
Reform Jews recognize patrilineal Jewishness.
It would be very surprising for a non-observant Jew to have a menorah. The menorah is a religious symbol used for a religious holiday. If a non-practicing Jew doesn’t observe the religious strictures of Judaism, he/she would have no use for a menorah. Except, of course, to take out when mom and dad stopped by. 
Sua
I am almost ashamed to admit I know this, but the menorah belonged to Chandler’s previous roommate, Kip, who was Jewish.
[note to self]
read ALL the replies before responding to one written several hours ago.
[/note to self]
Ohh No. Jewish mothers are huge on Guilt. I think they own the rights to it or something