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With the film awards season in full bloom in the lead-up to the Oscars on March 15 we thought it was a fun time to reintroduce our “Six Jewish movies” series, this time with a New York theme. Here is a list of Jewish movies, from new to old, all set in New York.
Eleanor the Great (2025)
Ninety-four-year-old Eleanor Morgenstein (played by June Squibb) moves from Florida to New York after the death of her best friend and roommate Bessie, a Holocaust survivor from Poland. Eleanor inadvertently ends up in a Holocaust survivor’s meeting at the local JCC, and in a moment of wanting to fit in, shares Bessie’s story as her own. She then meets NYU journalism student Nina (Erin Kellyman), who recently lost her mother, and the two bond in an unexpected friendship. Scarlett Johansson’s emotional directorial debut follows Eleanor’s journey through her new life in New York as she and Nina each learn to navigate their feelings of loneliness. Available to stream on Netflix.
Shiva Baby (2020)
This comedic drama follows college student Danielle (Rachel Sennott) through a shiva where she navigates awkward encounters with her sugar daddy, his non-Jewish wife and her ex-girlfriend. The movie is full of tension and discomfort as Danielle feels trapped in a ridiculous situation full of Jewish characters. The modern Jewish comedy was written and directed by Emma Seligman. Available to stream on Netflix, Amazon Prime and Apple TV.
Prime (2005)
When 37-year-old and non-Jewish Rafi (Uma Thurman) meets 23-year-old Jewish artist David (Bryan Greenberg), their interfaith romance is complicated enough. When Rafi discusses her date with her therapist (Meryl Streep), including calling him “the best sex of her life,” Dr. Lisa Metzger realizes Rafi is dating her son. In this lighthearted romcom directed by Ben Younger, Lisa must sort out her professional relationship with Rafi and her personal feelings about her son’s relationship. Available to stream on YouTube, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
Keeping the Faith (2000)
The classic Edward Norton-directed romcom is told through Catholic priest Brian’s (Norton) recounting of his love triangle troubles to a Manhattan bartender. Brian and his best friend Jake, an Upper West Side rabbi (Ben Stiller), are in love with the same girl: their childhood friend Anna (Jenna Elfman). Brian and Jake both face internal conflict as they navigate romantic feelings versus religious responsibility. Available to stream on YouTube, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
Crossing Delancey (1988)
Isabelle (Amy Irving), a single woman living on the West Side in New York, gets set up by a matchmaker hired by her bubbe, who’s concerned she’s not settling down. Sam (Peter Riegert), a Lower East Side pickle vendor, is not who Isabelle pictured herself with. Complicating her growing feelings for Sam are those she has for Anton (Jeroen Krabbé), an author. Ultimately, Isabelle must decide what’s best for her. Directed by Joan Micklin Silver, this film brings New York City Jewish culture into a cozy romcom. Available to stream on YouTube TV, Apple TV and Amazon Prime.
Funny Girl (1968)
Set in New York around the time of World War I, the film tells the story of the famous early 20th-century comedian, singer and stage actress Fanny Brice (Barbra Streisand, in an Academy Award-winning performance). The opening scene shows the end of Brice’s story and then flashes back to her beginning days of auditioning for comedic musical performances. The story then follows her as she meets Nicky Arnstein (Omar Sharif), gets a job performing for the Ziegfeld Follies, marries and has children. The film is emotional and dramatic at times, and humorous—though Fanny achieves great success in her work, she experiences emotional ups and downs in her love for Nicky. Directed by William Wyler and available to stream on Amazon Prime, YouTube and Apple TV.
