Shtiesel's Universal Charm: Writing Ultra-Orthodox Characters for a Universal Audience w/ Co-Creator Yehonatan Indursky
Description
In this episode, we dive into a part of Israeli society that is often seen but not always fully understood: the Haredi, or ultra-Orthodox, community. In Israel, the relationship between Haredim and other sectors of society can be tense — shaped by deep differences in lifestyle, belief, and visions for the country's future. Too often, the Haredi world is viewed only through stereotypes, political headlines, or surface-level assumptions.
But there's a rich, complicated, and deeply human story behind the black hats and long coats — one that rarely gets told from the inside.
Joining us today is someone uniquely positioned to open that window: Yehonatan Indursky, the co-creator of Shtisel, the beloved Israeli TV series that captivated audiences in Israel and around the world with its intimate, tender portrayal of Haredi life. Through characters that feel both deeply specific and universally relatable, Shtisel managed to show a side of the Haredi community that most outsiders never get to see.
In this conversation, we'll talk about the tensions and misunderstandings between Haredim and broader Israeli society, but we'll also go deeper — into the dreams, struggles, humor, and heart that define life inside the Haredi world.
United States
