We all know Rhoda Morgenstern was Jewish (a big part of her character on "TMTMS" as well as her own show) and came from a traditional Jewish family (Nancy Walker's character being written as the true 'Jewish Mother', of course!) :lol:...

However, was Joe's religion ever established? Was he supposed to be Jewish as well? I don't think their wedding was a traditional Jewish wedding, from what I remember. I don't recall his religion ever being mentioned, or a factor in his marriage.

Also, was his first wife ever mentioned or seen?

I don't know about Joe's religion, although I've always assumed he wasn't Jewish. I know we met his parents a couple times. His mom was at the wedding, and Rhoda met both parents earlier.

As for the ex-wife, we do meet her in "Rhoda Meets the Ex-Wife." I believe she had to go over to the woman's house to pick Joe's son up or something. I don't remember anything about the ep. really, other than what TV.com says. I think Rhoda was pretty thrown by the fact that she was really classy and everything. It kind of brouoght out Rhoda's old insecurities.

Anyway, hope that helps!
- Kristen

Joe's ex was played by a pre-Knots Landing Joan Van Ark.

Oh that's right - now I remember the episode! To think the former Mrs. Gerard moved to Dallas, married Gary Ewing, had a daughter named Lucy (who never met her half brother Donnie in Manhattan), moved to Southern California in a beachtown called 'Knots Landing', became a writer, had twins...:happyface


Back to Joe's religion...I alwyas assumed he wasn't Jewish either, but wasn't sure. Again, no mention was made of it (and I believe she used to tell 'Mary' her mother wanted her to marry a nice Jewish man...remember?).

Oh that's right - now I remember the episode! To think the former Mrs. Gerard moved to Dallas, married Gary Ewing, had a daughter named Lucy (who never met her half brother Donnie in Manhattan), moved to Southern California in a beachtown called 'Knots Landing', became a writer, had twins...:happyface


Back to Joe's religion...I alwyas assumed he wasn't Jewish either, but wasn't sure. Again, no mention was made of it (and I believe she used to tell 'Mary' her mother wanted her to marry a nice Jewish man...remember?).
I think Ida was so desperate by that point to marry Rhoda off that she didn't care that Joe wasn't Jewish. :lol:

For some reason I always had it in my head that Joe was catholic. I don't remember any specific reference to that but I've always had that impression for some reason.

For some reason I always had it in my head that Joe was catholic. I don't remember any specific reference to that but I've always had that impression for some reason.
Yeah, I'm pretty sure he was Roman Catholic. He was Italian, after all.

I just saw the episode in which they both meet each other's parents (ep 4), and at the very end of the show it's said that Joe is NOT Jewish...

Martin tells Ida, "I'm surprised you didn't ask him if he was Jewish."
Ida replies, "If he was Jewish, I would have asked him."

Italian? Joe Gerard? Gerard is a French name, so the character is of French heritage - perhaps Catholic (though I don't know when that was implied).

The late actor David Groh was indeed Jewish, though. I remember reading that in his obit when he died two years ago.

Joe's ex-wife was Joan Van Ark from Knot's Landing, before anyone knew who she was.

As for the ex-wife, we do meet her in "Rhoda Meets the Ex-Wife." I believe she had to go over to the woman's house to pick Joe's son up or something. I don't remember anything about the ep. really, other than what TV.com says. I think Rhoda was pretty thrown by the fact that she was really classy and everything. It kind of brouoght out Rhoda's old insecurities.

Anyway, hope that helps!
- Kristen