Actress Jackie Tohn has had quite a year. Not only did she reprise her role as Esther Roklov in season three of “Nobody Wants This,” out now, she also revealed that she had a preventative double maste...
Actress Jackie Tohn has had quite a year. Not only did she reprise her role as Esther Roklov in season three of “Nobody Wants This,” out now, she also revealed that she had a preventative double mastectomy after testing positive for BRCA1 and in the ultimate mensch move, has been raising awareness about genetic testing.
We were thrilled she took time out of her busy “Nobody Wants This” press tour to tell us what brings her Jewish joy — our past interviews with Tohn have felt like phone calls with a friend, and based on our experiences (like the time she kvelled so hard over her dad that she made senior writer Lior Zaltzman cry) we knew she would have some incredible things to share. And we were right!
Here are 8 things that bring Jackie Tohn Jewish joy:
My dog Glen painted as a Rabbi. I mean, easily one of my most prized possessions. My BFF Kristen [Bell] was doing a movie where she played a painter and I had just moved into my house. So naturally, she commissioned the consulting artist on set to paint MY DOG AS A RABBI for my housewarming gift.
Jewish miniatures. I have collected miniatures since I was a tiny mouse. These black and white cookies and menorah are two of my faves. The plate of b & dubb cookies is SMALLER THAN A QUARTER. Bye!
Yiddish! My mom spoke Yiddish to her parents when I was growing up and I always LOVED the language. It’s very much like the people who speak it: funny, quippy and straight to the point. I wish I spoke it more. One of my fave phrases is — and forgive the hatchet job I’m about to do on the spelling but — “Mit ein tuchus, ni kenesht tansen e tzvai chasenas.” Which of course means “with one ass you can’t dance at two weddings.”
A grown up menorah. I had been using the world’s kitschiest menorah every year (see below) and finally decided, last year, that I was ready for a grown up one. I found this minimalist dream on the fabulous Judaica website Via Maris.
A kitschy menorah. My NYC Skyline Menorah is another prized possesh. My mom thrifted me this IMMACULATE PIECE OF ART about a decade ago, and only when I retired it last year (in exchange for the less frills one above), did I dig up the box and discover the name of the genius who designed it, who is also now the trophy holder for my favorite Jewish name of all time: Shepsil Scheinberg. “Shepsil Scheinberg the Menorah Designer” has to be one of the Jewiest series of words ever strung together. (P.S. Has anyone ever had three menorahs on their list?)
Yiddish Dad Hats. I wear one of their baseball hats almost every day. I have schlepping, schvitzing and kvelling. When I’m on a flight I get little “game recognizing game” nods. IYKYK vibes.
Tenement Museum ornament. I went to the Tenement Museum last year for the first time and absolutely loved it. As I have already articulated my love for miniatures, this itty bitty fire escape ornament hits me in all the right places.
This miniature matzo ball trinket holder. OK, so, my mom (massive in the thrift game, huge) also thrifted me this perfect tchotchke. It’s a little trinket box in the shape of MATZAH BALL SOUP?!? Does it get any better than that? OH: IT OPENS AND THERE’S A TINY MATZAH BALL ROLLING AROUND ON THE INSIDE?!?! OK, too much good stuff in one place. I need to go rest.
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