Nobody Wants This

Nobody Wants This

‘Nobody Wants This’ is a Netflix series.

The plot revolves around young aspiring Rabbi Noah, who is set for promotion to his first big synagogue. However, he falls passionately in love with Joanne, a vivacious and attractive young woman who is of no faith.

The rub, of course, is that if Noah is to aspire successfully to the position of Chief Rabbi, he must break off his relationship with Joanne or she must convert. Something she just doesn’t seem to be able to do.

Give Joanne her due; she does go along to many of the Jewish celebrations, and she peppers her boyfriend with lots of curly questions, what-ifs, and how-comes. Whilst on the surface they seem to disagree about many of the tenets of the Jewish faith, another deeper chemistry is working its magic. In the debate and wrestling of theology, they are actually growing in their love for each other. They see, appreciate and admire the integrity that the other holds without hurting each other or getting petulant. Would that all our interfaith dialogue be flavoured with this understanding.

Something else is happening to Joanne, and it is through her struggle, questioning and discussion that she discovers that the Jewish folk enjoy tossing around the finer points of the law and teasing open what is important to them. Revealing to each other, a fresh and richer understanding of what has gone before and what it might mean for the future.

Joanne, in her struggle and grapple, eventually realises that she is actually a little more Jewish than she was before she met Noah. Perhaps there is a way forward for this couple after all. The good news is I know that this dynamic also happens in my brothers and sisters in the Christian faith and of no faith as well.