If you are like me you've been trying to learn Hebrew for what seems like forever but one way to continue to practice is to submerge oneself in the language through media. My friends who have wanted to learn a new language said they picked up languages the fastest was watching TV/movies with English/the language they are trying to learn subtitles. That is what I'm currently doing. My love for Israeli media though started when I took a class on Israeli Culture through film for my Jewish studies minor. The college held Israeli film festivals and I assisted at them.
The class and festivals exposed me to many different shows and movies. My friends who are native speakers also gave me suggestions and we would discuss the content we enjoyed. Have you been to Israel, miss it, and want to keep up your skills? If you don't practice you know how the saying goes, use it, or lose it. Are you are thinking of traveling to Israel and want a taste before you see it in action? Or maybe you are reading this during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic (when I wrote this) and need something new to watch. Here is what to put on your binge list for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Tubi, and Youtube!
TV Shows
Fauda- Get a look at the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, from both sides. (Netflix)
Shtisel- An Ulta-Orthodox family and the complexities of their life. (Netflix)
Srugim- Show covers navigating dating in Modern Orthodox Jerusalem in one friendship circle. (Amazon Prime video)
The Baker and the Beauty/Lehiyot Ita which inspired the Russian, Holland and now American version for ABC. It's about a love story for an unlikely couple, a celeb and a local baker. In the Israeli version, the show has the leads as an Ashkenazi model and the Baker is a Yemenite Jew in Tel Aviv exploring tensions Yemeni Jews feel in Israel. In the American show, the lead is an Australian model and Cuban-American baker in Miami explores tensions between Cuban-Americans. The series was created by Assi Azar, I was lucky enough to meet him. He is an LGBTQ+ advocate and has also hosted the Israeli version of Big Brother. (Amazon Prime Video and Hulu)
Prisoners of War- Two Israeli Soldiers were prisoners of war in Lebanon and they've just returned home and it shows them navigating life (socially and psychologically). (Hulu) There is also an American version of the show with the name Homeland.
The Greenhouse Academy/Ha Hamama (Netflix)- The American version is set in the US but parts are filmed in Israel. The show is about a boarding school and siblings losing their parents.
Movies
Zero Motivation- Comedy on life in the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) doing menial tasks on a desert base. (Amazon Prime video)
Yossi and Jagger- Another film on IDF soldiers but this time tackling issues in the LGBTQ+ community and exploring those romantic interests. (Amazon Prime video)
Oriented- Palestinian friends explore their identities in Tel Aviv. (Amazon Prime video)
Someone to run with- Follows two different teens and how their paths cross. (Amazon Prime video)
Beneath the Helmet- Following recruits to the IDF, sharing their stories. (Amazon Prime video or Tubi)
The Matchmaker- A young boy works for a Holocaust survivor who is a matchmaker and their lives change. (Amazon Prime video or Tubi)
Out in the Dark- Explorers a gay Israeli and Palestinian couples relationship. (Amazon Prime video or Tubi)
The Green Prince- The son of a founding member of Hamas decides to become a spy for Israel. (Amazon Prime video)
The Flat- A family goes through their grandma's flat after she passes away to discover photos and files from Nazi Germany. (Amazon Prime video)
Bethlehem- You'll recognize Tzachi Halevy from Fauda. In this film though you'll follow an Israeli secret service officer as he works with a teenage Palestinian informant. (Amazon Prime video)
Lemon Tree- The film takes place in the West Bank. A Palestinian widow tends to her lemon grove and the Israeli Defense Minister movies next door. His security team demands her to remove the lemon grove. She brings them to court and it brings international attention. (Amazon Prime video)
Jeruzlem- Are you a fan of Jane the Virgin? You likely will recognize the wonderful Yael Grobglas who played Petra in that show, she also is in this film, as the character Rachel. She is on a trip with friends and they find themselves in a horror situation being chased by demons. (Amazon Prime video)
Baba Joon- The film is in Persian and Hebrew and about a Dad who has moved to Israel from Iran. His son doesn't want to take over the family farm. This community is not often seen in cinema so it's important they are being shown. It is a rather sad movie. The name of the movie means Father Dear. (Netflix and Amazon Prime video)
American movies/shows based on Israeli/Jewish topics
You don't mess with the Zohan- Adam Sandler is the star of this film so you know it will be funny. IDF soldier turned American hairstylist. (Amazon Prime)
UnOrthodox- A woman fleeing her religious community in Brooklyn for Berlin and the friendships she makes along the way (her friends are from all over the world at a music school and one is Israeli). Inspired by a true story/book and you'll recognize Shira Haas from Shtisel. Some find it controversial as the story is fast-paced so some don't find it believable or is a generalization of people's experiences. (Netflix)
The Ten Commandments- A classic on the Passover Story. (Amazon Prime)
The Prince of Egypt- Another children's classic on the Passover story but in cartoon form. (Hulu)
Joseph King of kings- Joseph has many dreams and is taken to meet the Egyptian Pharoah to protect the kingdom. If you like this cartoon movie you'll also like the play Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. (Netflix)
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