If you’ve seen all ten of these recommendations, you must be Jack – JW3’s cinema programmer. Assuming you’re not Jack, here are 10 Jewish films and series (and one sketch) to watch while staying at home.

Facing a crisis like we do in these days’ raises questions – what should we do? What’s the symptoms? When will this be over?

But judging from what I’M being asked in the past days, there’s really only one, big, important, critical question on everybody’s mind: what to watch. Yes, even with all the different channels and streaming options around us, you can feel like you ran out on things to watch.

That’s why on this blog, I’ve decided against going for obvious titles as Harry met Sally, any Wood Allen movie, Young Frankenstein and other movies that have been done to death in lists like this. These are lesser-known and maybe even slightly harder to find films and TV series, with a couple of exceptions to that rule:

The Jewish Enquirer■

Part Curb Your Enthusiasm part Alan Partridge, The Jewish Enquirer follows the life of 40-something Paul Green, an investigative journalist at the 4th biggest Jewish publication in the UK, who takes his job - as well as his neurosis and pet peeves - very seriously. This home-grown comedy starring Tim Downie, Josh Howie and Lucy Montgomery premiered as part of the UK Jewish Film Festival in November, here at JW3, and is available to stream on Amazon Prime. Packed with recognisable locations, so expect to spend the first few episodes shouting things like “That’s the roundabout near Mill Hill Broadway isn’t it?”.

The Meyerowitz Stories■

Noah Baumbach (Marriage Story) may have successfully commandeered Woody Allen's title as the go-to director of New York Jewish comedies. A bold statement I know, but with Dustin Hoffman, Adam Sandler and Ben Stiller handed a prickly and assertive script to run riot with, coupled with Baumbach’s confident direction you’ll hopefully see what I mean.

Available to stream on Netflix.

Can You Ever Forgive Me?■

Melissa McCarthy stars as Lee Israel, the best-selling celebrity biographer (and cat lover) who made her living in the 1970's and 80's profiling the likes of Katharine Hepburn and Estée Lauder. When Lee found herself unable to get published because she had fallen out of step with the marketplace, she turned her art form to deception. With a score of 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, this part comedy-part true crime story-part drama is Available to rent on Sky movies.

Friday Night Dinner■

The titular mealtime is anything but normal for brothers Adam and Jonny Goodman, siblings in an eccentric (aren’t they all) family who return home each week for free eats. When they're not busy playing pranks on each other, they're breaking bread with their parents: dad Martin likes to stroll around shirtless and collect science magazines, while mom Jackie tries her best to inject an air of normalcy into the insanity that always ensues. Somehow, something always go wrong. With 6 seasons available to stream on All 4, it could be your new Friday dinner tradition – the Goodmans will make almost any family feel better about being stuck together.

How About Adolf?■

Married couple Elisabeth and Stephan are expecting guests – Elisabeth’s successful brother Thomas, his pregnant girlfriend Anna and their (quite possibly) gay childhood friend, René. The evening progresses pleasantly until Thomas announces they have chosen a name for their unborn child – and that name is Adolf. How About Adolf? is an outrageously funny satire that bravely comments on changing attitudes in German society to the trauma of the war and its legacy. It’s available to rent from our friends at UK Jewish Film, so it is also a good way to show your support of their causes in these challenging times: https://ukjewishfilm.org/film/how-about-adolf/

Broad City■

Created by pals Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer, and produced by the hilarious Amy Poehler, Broad City is an odd-couple comedy about two best friends navigating city life in their late 20s. Our heroes Abbi and Ilana are broke and flawed, and they don't shy away from the sticky situations NYC throws at them - they dive right into the muck. And there are five seasons of that hilarious muck, available to stream on Now TV.

Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee■

Do you like Coffee, do you like cars - and did you watch Seinfeld? In any normal situation being asked these questions in this sequence would panic, or at least confuse you. Well this isn’t a normal situation and this isn’t your average TV programme: It’s Jerry Seinfeld driving around with comedians in a selection of vintage cars to get coffee together. When these comedians are the likes of Ricky Gervais, Julia Louis Dreyfus, Steve Martin, Chris Rock and Tina Fey (among many many others), it’s no wonder it led to many different mock-offs. While all episodes are available to stream on Netflix, make sure you don’t miss the episodes with Michael Richards, and with Mel Brooks and Carl Reiner.

The Sunshine Boys■

In this 1975 adaptation of Neil Simon's stage play, director Herbert Ross presents the story of two old-time Vaudvillians played by comedy legends Walter Matthau and George Burns. After decades apart, the cantankerous duo is persuaded to reunite for a television special despite the fact that they hate each other. Nominated for four Academy Awards, Burns took home the statue for Best Supporting Actor. A real rarity, available to rent on Amazon prime.

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel■

I know I promised to recommend on the lesser-known films and box-sets. But I couldn’t leave this one out: Set in NYC in the 1950s, this award-wining series follows housewife Midge (Rachel Brosnahan) as she discovers and hones her talent for stand-up comedy. From creator Amy Sherman-Palladino (Gilmore Girls), this comedy about comedy is a can’t-miss delight with compelling plotlines, 1950s style, and lightning-fast dialogue. Available to stream on Amazon Prime.

The 2,000 year Old Man■

Whilst strictly not a film or box-set, I couldn’t leave this one out. Some lovely person has uploaded the audio from the original LP to you-tube, so now you can listen for free and I'm pretty sure Carl and Mel wouldn’t mind you all having a chuckle during this trying time. "Nectarines… Hell of a fruit!"

Cinema