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Interviews with news makers and discussion of topics important to Southwest Michigan. Subscribe to the podcast through Apple itunes and Google. Segments of interview are heard in WestSouthwest Brief during Morning Edition and All Things Considered

WSW: Transparent, A Story Of Gender, And Jewish Identity

Kalamazoo College - file photo courtesy of Kalamazoo College
Kalamazoo College

The Amazon program Transparent has received much attention for its portrayal of a man transitioning to a woman. But University of Michigan Professor Jonathan Freedman says it also tells a story of Jewish identity.   

    

Freedman, a professor of English and American Culture will speak Wednesday night at 7:00 at Kalamazoo College in the Olmstead Room at Mandelle Hall. His address is called Jews and Other Others: Transparent and the Remaking of Jewish Identities.

The central plot of Transparent is the transition of retired professor Mort Pfefferman from a man to a woman. But Freedman says as the show takes us through Mort’s journey to becoming Maura Pfefferman it also examines the idea of Jewish identity in the United States.

jonathanfreedman022316-web.mp3
Interview with Jonathan Freedman - web version

Transparent shows the intersection of Jewish culture and the LGBT community. Freedman says the show also explores Jewish history and various “traumas and historical catastrophes” and how those work out in the current generation.

Freedman says Transparent also explores the complications of being Jewish and transgender or Jewish and gay. He says that focuses the show on the story of Jewishness as much as it focuses on gender identity.

Freedman will also be part of a discussion Thursday night after a production of Bad Jews at the Festival Playhouse. The play is scheduled to begin at 7:30 Thursday night.

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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