Were the Stephens Jewish? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Janice · 07-04-2003, 05:16 PM

I ask only because, against the wall as they walk in the house, is a candle holder (I think) which resembles a menorah (pictured below).
I know there were a few Christmas episodes, so I really don't know, and we know Samantha wasn't Jewish.
Perhaps this was in tribute to the creator of Bewitched, Sol Saks, who is Jewish.

Arfies · 07-04-2003, 08:52 PM

I didn't know Sol Saks was Jewish- but William Asher, director/producer/former husband of Elizabeth Montgomery is, which is cool.

I think the Stephens are Christian, since they celebrated Christmas as you said. The Kravitzes did too, which rules out some weirdos who think the Kravitzes were "negative Jewish stereotypes."

Problem: they weren't Jewish.

A menorah has 9 candles and the candleholder at the Stephens' house only has 7, which would make it just a candlestick.

Janice · 07-05-2003, 12:37 AM

I'm unaware of the negative Jewish stereotyping claims about the Kravitzes. I've never read anything on these boards about it. Then again, I've really just begun to get into Bewitched.
I've watched it on and off throughout the years, but the recent marathon has peaked my interest in the show.
As for the menorah, a quick search on the web will display them with both seven and nine branches. Before I learned that, I thought it just resembled a menorah in the Stephen's entrance.
Now that I know it is a menorah, I have a feeling that it was displayed there as a symbol for Sol Saks, who I've read is Jewish in a few articles.
Upon learning that William Asher was Jewish as well, perhaps it's tied in with his heritage.
This link has brief history of the menorah.
http://web.ask.com/redir?bpg=http%3a...2fmenorah.html

agmelly · 07-14-2003, 03:03 PM

Back in the day, as in prior to the 1970's, most people still had candleholders around in case the power went out. No offense, but to think that the Stephens were Jewish just because the candleholder happened to look like a menorah. After all, aren't they usually put out just for Haunnaka? Why would the Stephens put one out all year long? My Jewish friends keep theirs in a box in the closet most of the time.

Janice · 07-14-2003, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by agmelly
No offense, but to think that the Stephens were Jewish just because the candleholder happened to look like a menorah. After all, aren't they usually put out just for Haunnaka? Why would the Stephens put one out all year long? My Jewish friends keep theirs in a box in the closet most of the time.

No offense? What are you talking about? You write, "but to think that the Stephens were Jewish just because the candleholder happened to look like a menorah."
I didn't accuse them of child molestation. I simply made an observation based on the menorah in their front hall. A quick web check shows that menorahs are displayed year-round in many Jewish homes.
There's been discussion on many of these boards speculating the religion of a TV family, notably on All In The Family, Family Ties and Seinfeld boards. I don't know why this discussion went South.
On David Letterman's NBC show, he had a photo hanging of his German Shepard. On Seinfeld, a family photo. Bill Cosby wore a pin with the initials SDJ for the entire season after Sammy Davis Jr. died. Also, on The Cosby Show, Bill hired an artist to ensure that the artwork on the walls were representative of black culture.
I read an article on the phallic symbolism that's behind Will's apartment on Will & Grace. Elizabeth Montgomery wore a diamond pendant from her husband for almost the entire run of Bewitched.
Characters on shows often take on the names of crew members.
My point is that I'm not shooting the moon when I speculate as to why a menorah was in the Stephen's home. There are set designers and everything is well thought out.
I wonder if you would have been offended if they had a cross on display and I wondered if they or the creators of the show were Catholic.

agmelly · 07-15-2003, 01:13 AM

No need to get so huffy. I was simply pointing out that not all
objects have to have a meaning. Sometimes people just randomly put stuff in their house because they like the way they look. Take metal sculptures for example.

Kitt · 07-15-2003, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by agmelly
No need to get so huffy. I was simply pointing out that not all
objects have to have a meaning. Sometimes people just randomly put stuff in their house because they like the way they look. Take metal sculptures for example.

Metal sculptures don't generally have a meaning dating from ancient history. Not much of an example. Also, the Stephen's home/house is not a house it is a set. As Janice noted, there aren't many "randomly" placed pieces on a set. They're thought through, and usually have a purpose--apparent or under the radar. Janice wasn't being huffy, but she is clearly and understandably aggravated that a simple and interesting question has turned into some sort of political correctness issue. I'm certain that that is not what she had in mind when she started this thread. She was upfront and explained to you in detail why your answer did not connect well, if at all, to her original question in this thread. I've been reading this thread, and i've been frustrated with how the replies, for some reason, went off track from the beginning.

lisaS999 · 07-16-2003, 10:41 PM

This whole arguement is academic anyway, because the candleholder was only meant for 7 candles and not 9. Hence, its not a menorah. (or a metal sculpture for that matter) Its just a friggin' candleholder! Boy, sometimes people on this board get all worked up over nothing. You gotta relax a little

Kitt · 07-17-2003, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by lisaS999
This whole arguement is academic anyway, because the candleholder was only meant for 7 candles and not 9. Hence, its not a menorah. (or a metal sculpture for that matter) Its just a friggin' candleholder! Boy, sometimes people on this board get all worked up over nothing. You gotta relax a little

This is a discussion board. It's meant for discussion. And if you would read more carefully what Janice posted you would see that your 7/9 statement is incorrect. You could find that out for yourself with a minute or five of research.

akirafan · 07-17-2003, 10:27 PM

Wow, sometimes there is a lot of bad blood on these boards, but always an interesting conversation. I'm glad someone brought this point up, because I also wondered what type of candlestick holder that was.

marvin g · 07-30-2003, 09:33 PM

Right now I can remember only one episode where Samantha donates time at a church bizarre. In which Serena turn up for some tricks including some played on Gladys Kravitz.

moderndesign · 05-07-2020, 11:53 PM

The candle holder by the front door was a traditional candelabra. The whole point of the candelabra was to show that the Stevens' were, after all, a traditional couple. The candelabra is used as a backdrop in certain scenes where the director wishes to convey "traditional values". There's a scene from the pilot in which Sam is showing their vacant future house to Endora, Sam uses her witchcraft to show her mother how she plans to decorate the house in a really traditional way ie: awnings, flowers beds, window curtains, etc. Of course Endora scoffs at Sam's traditionalist plans.

GentlemanJim · 05-11-2020, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arfies

I think the Stephens are Christian, since they celebrated Christmas as you said. The .

Are Christianity and occultism really compatible? I'm pretty sure that there is at least once passage in scripture that says no, they are not.
I recall when this show was in first runs, there were children of several self described "Christian" families in my school who were not permitted to watch this show over exactly this reason.

TV Guy · 06-16-2020, 07:24 PM

LOL - I always wondered the same thing. Why is Samantha, a witch, celebrating Christian holidays like Christmas. Did she and Darrin discuss which faith they’d raise children in before they got married?

Will Dockery · 06-30-2020, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentlemanJim

Are Christianity and occultism really compatible? I'm pretty sure that there is at least once passage in scripture that says no, they are not.
I recall when this show was in first runs, there were children of several self described "Christian" families in my school who were not permitted to watch this show over exactly this reason.

They may have attended some sort of "New Age" Christian church, often referred to in the 1960s as "California religion".

07-04-2003, 05:16 PM	#1
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	Were the Stephens Jewish? I ask only because, against the wall as they walk in the house, is a candle holder (I think) which resembles a menorah (pictured below). I know there were a few Christmas episodes, so I really don't know, and we know Samantha wasn't Jewish. Perhaps this was in tribute to the creator of Bewitched, Sol Saks, who is Jewish. Attached Images

05-07-2020, 11:53 PM	#12
moderndesign Member First Time Poster Join Date: May 07, 2020 Location: e Posts: 1	No they were not jewish. The candle holder by the front door was a traditional candelabra. The whole point of the candelabra was to show that the Stevens' were, after all, a traditional couple. The candelabra is used as a backdrop in certain scenes where the director wishes to convey "traditional values". There's a scene from the pilot in which Sam is showing their vacant future house to Endora, Sam uses her witchcraft to show her mother how she plans to decorate the house in a really traditional way ie: awnings, flowers beds, window curtains, etc. Of course Endora scoffs at Sam's traditionalist plans.

07-04-2003, 08:52 PM	#2
Arfies Memberific Frequent Poster Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: There beneath the blue suburban skies, in summer, meanwhile back.... Posts: 481	I didn't know Sol Saks was Jewish- but William Asher, director/producer/former husband of Elizabeth Montgomery is, which is cool. I think the Stephens are Christian, since they celebrated Christmas as you said. The Kravitzes did too, which rules out some weirdos who think the Kravitzes were "negative Jewish stereotypes." Problem: they weren't Jewish. A menorah has 9 candles and the candleholder at the Stephens' house only has 7, which would make it just a candlestick.

07-05-2003, 12:37 AM	#3
Janice Retired Admin - Hollywood Swingin' Forum Legend Join Date: Aug 03, 2001 Location: Beantown Posts: 36,388	I'm unaware of the negative Jewish stereotyping claims about the Kravitzes. I've never read anything on these boards about it. Then again, I've really just begun to get into Bewitched. I've watched it on and off throughout the years, but the recent marathon has peaked my interest in the show. As for the menorah, a quick search on the web will display them with both seven and nine branches. Before I learned that, I thought it just resembled a menorah in the Stephen's entrance. Now that I know it is a menorah, I have a feeling that it was displayed there as a symbol for Sol Saks, who I've read is Jewish in a few articles. Upon learning that William Asher was Jewish as well, perhaps it's tied in with his heritage. This link has brief history of the menorah. http://web.ask.com/redir?bpg=http%3a...2fmenorah.html

07-14-2003, 03:03 PM	#4
agmelly Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 15, 2003 Posts: 13	Back in the day, as in prior to the 1970's, most people still had candleholders around in case the power went out. No offense, but to think that the Stephens were Jewish just because the candleholder happened to look like a menorah. After all, aren't they usually put out just for Haunnaka? Why would the Stephens put one out all year long? My Jewish friends keep theirs in a box in the closet most of the time.

07-15-2003, 01:13 AM	#6
agmelly Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 15, 2003 Posts: 13	No need to get so huffy. I was simply pointing out that not all objects have to have a meaning. Sometimes people just randomly put stuff in their house because they like the way they look. Take metal sculptures for example.

07-16-2003, 10:41 PM	#8
lisaS999 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Oct 11, 2002 Posts: 52	This whole arguement is academic anyway, because the candleholder was only meant for 7 candles and not 9. Hence, its not a menorah. (or a metal sculpture for that matter) Its just a friggin' candleholder! Boy, sometimes people on this board get all worked up over nothing. You gotta relax a little

07-17-2003, 10:27 PM	#10
akirafan Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 02, 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 59	Wow, sometimes there is a lot of bad blood on these boards, but always an interesting conversation. I'm glad someone brought this point up, because I also wondered what type of candlestick holder that was.

07-30-2003, 09:33 PM	#11
marvin g Member Senior Member Join Date: Jul 30, 2003 Location: Chicago,IL Posts: 1,217	Right now I can remember only one episode where Samantha donates time at a church bizarre. In which Serena turn up for some tricks including some played on Gladys Kravitz.

06-16-2020, 07:24 PM	#14
TV Guy Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 25, 2001 Location: Boston, MA, USA Posts: 3,419	LOL - I always wondered the same thing. Why is Samantha, a witch, celebrating Christian holidays like Christmas. Did she and Darrin discuss which faith they’d raise children in before they got married?