Is Horshack Jewish? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

ernessat · 02-14-2003, 12:28 AM

Hi,

I'm a playwright with a Welcome Back Kotter question. I reference Horshack as a "Jewish nerd from the 70's." Is this true? He was played by an Italian actor, but I want to say he was definitely supposed to be Jewish.

My play is going up next week, so I would appreciate an answer as soon as possible.

Thanks so much,
etc

Nedrta · 02-14-2003, 02:05 AM

Negative! Only Epstein, of all Kotter's students, was actually a Jewish person. Horseshack was not an ethnic type and had no ethnic identity. But I would like to direct you to a fine book on the subject of Semitic people. Bryan Sykes's excellent Seven Daughters of Eve book. The "daughter" he calls Jasmine comes from the Syrian region and her descendants settle all around in Europe 10,000 years ago. Becoming Europe's first farmers they mixed breeding wise with the cro-magnon caveman types they found there (especially in Britain). The especially large number of semitic genes of the British show they are, more than other Europeans, of Syrian ancestry. Remember the Jewish people homeland of Israel was around the Syrian region. This explains why Jewish actor Gene Wilder resembles BRit actor Eric Idle. Jewish acting great Dustin Hoffman resembling Brit comic Michael Palin and Israeli PM Golda Meir looking like US President Lyndon Johnson (an American of 100% British background).

Moonlight Lady · 02-17-2003, 10:49 PM

ernessat:

Hope this answers your question

No, Horshack is not Jewish. However, in the episode called "Arrividerci Arnold, he mentions that he is Slavic.

opus · 09-22-2015, 08:52 PM

So according to this, only Epstein is observing Yom Kippur tonight.

Wawwie · 09-22-2015, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by opus

So according to this, only Epstein is observing Yom Kippur tonight.

I'm also observing Yom Kippur.

Bonniegirl · 09-22-2015, 09:14 PM

I always assumed Horshack was supposed to be Jewish! But I wasn't sure. I knew the actor Ron Palillo was Italian!

And Epstein was a Puerto Rican Jew!

Bonniegirl · 09-22-2015, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wawwie

I'm also observing Yom Kippur.

Isn't Yom Kippur the most high holy of all the Jewish holidays?

Wawwie · 09-22-2015, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bonniegirl

Isn't Yom Kippur the most high holy of all the Jewish holidays?

It is.
I'm hiding out from certain family members right now.

biffbronson · 09-29-2015, 05:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nedrta

... and Israeli PM Golda Meir looking like US President Lyndon Johnson (an American of 100% British background).

LOL!

But did she have big feet, like LBJ did...?

Bonniegirl · 09-29-2015, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biffbronson

LOL!

But did she have big feet, like LBJ did...?

Did he have big feet? That is funny!

I know he liked dogs, and he had pet Beagles in the White House !

king of comedy · 07-24-2017, 08:04 PM

Juan is a Puerto Rican Jew.

Marvo301 · 07-24-2017, 09:57 PM

I was always under the impression that Horshak was Polish.

visaman666 · 07-26-2017, 04:05 AM

A Polish Jew? Like Rob Reiner ( Jew) played a Polish Catholic agnostic.

Ohio8 · 08-01-2017, 07:51 PM

I always thought that Horshack was Hungarian.

02-14-2003, 12:28 AM	#1
ernessat Member First Time Poster Join Date: Feb 14, 2003 Posts: 1	Is Horshack Jewish? Hi, I'm a playwright with a Welcome Back Kotter question. I reference Horshack as a "Jewish nerd from the 70's." Is this true? He was played by an Italian actor, but I want to say he was definitely supposed to be Jewish. My play is going up next week, so I would appreciate an answer as soon as possible. Thanks so much, etc

02-17-2003, 10:49 PM	#3
Moonlight Lady Member Forum Star Join Date: Aug 18, 2002 Posts: 16,052	ernessat: Hope this answers your question No, Horshack is not Jewish. However, in the episode called "Arrividerci Arnold, he mentions that he is Slavic.
	__________________ [

07-24-2017, 09:57 PM	#12
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	I was always under the impression that Horshak was Polish.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

08-01-2017, 07:51 PM	#14
Ohio8 Member Forum Star Join Date: Jul 29, 2003 Location: Wherever you aren't. Posts: 18,923	I always thought that Horshack was Hungarian.
	__________________ "Shorter of breath and one day closer to death." -- Pink Floyd

02-14-2003, 02:05 AM	#2
Nedrta Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Feb 14, 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 151	Negative! Only Epstein, of all Kotter's students, was actually a Jewish person. Horseshack was not an ethnic type and had no ethnic identity. But I would like to direct you to a fine book on the subject of Semitic people. Bryan Sykes's excellent Seven Daughters of Eve book. The "daughter" he calls Jasmine comes from the Syrian region and her descendants settle all around in Europe 10,000 years ago. Becoming Europe's first farmers they mixed breeding wise with the cro-magnon caveman types they found there (especially in Britain). The especially large number of semitic genes of the British show they are, more than other Europeans, of Syrian ancestry. Remember the Jewish people homeland of Israel was around the Syrian region. This explains why Jewish actor Gene Wilder resembles BRit actor Eric Idle. Jewish acting great Dustin Hoffman resembling Brit comic Michael Palin and Israeli PM Golda Meir looking like US President Lyndon Johnson (an American of 100% British background).

09-22-2015, 08:52 PM	#4
opus VB Forum Superstar Join Date: May 16, 2015 Location: VB Galaxy Posts: 32,389	So according to this, only Epstein is observing Yom Kippur tonight.

09-22-2015, 09:14 PM	#6
Bonniegirl AKA Hazel Horvath Forum Addict Join Date: Jul 10, 2014 Posts: 65,688	I always assumed Horshack was supposed to be Jewish! But I wasn't sure. I knew the actor Ron Palillo was Italian! And Epstein was a Puerto Rican Jew!

07-24-2017, 08:04 PM	#11
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	Juan is a Puerto Rican Jew.

07-26-2017, 04:05 AM	#13
visaman666 Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 06, 2007 Posts: 818	A Polish Jew? Like Rob Reiner ( Jew) played a Polish Catholic agnostic.