Strictly Kosher

Strictly Kosher

ITV1

On Monday night, ITV1's Strictly Kosher attempted to lift the veil and peek inside the lives of three members of Manchester's 40,000 strong Jewish community.

Somewhat noticeably drawing on the success of My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding, the programme explored the individual quirks and lifestyles of the people and the different opinions on what they consider to be 'kosher' when it comes to Judaism.

One particular character, Joel Lever, lounged quite happily on one end of the scale, describing himself not as a 'religious person, but a traditionalist.' Not all Jews, it quickly became apparent, are strictly Kosher.

You'd be forgiven for thinking Lever largely observes the aspects of his religion that suit his convenience and his irrepressible love of parties. The important thing about Lever's story though is that it exposes a side of Judaism perhaps hitherto unseen; it depicts the faith as an unexacting and shifting scale; from mere traditionalists like Joel to modern Orthodox Jews such as Bernette Clarke. Gutsy mother-of-three Bernette observes every last commandment, pre-cooking an entire banquet and even pre-tearing kitchen and toilet roll in order to ensure the absolute rule of no activity on the Sabbath.

There will be the usual protests against the intrusive role of such television but Chris Malone's documentary seeks only to understand, and if the participants are happy with the final product, which they emphatically are, then such criticism seems somewhat unnecessary.

Perhaps this informal and affectionate look at a 250,000 strong community in Britain today is exactly what viewers need to make British Judaism accessible, especially in an age of paranoia concerning religious extremism. Malone made even the most bizarre characters and practices seem endearing and demonstrated that when it comes to the Jewish community, as long as there is faith and understanding, it's all kosher.

By Holly Dodds