The Namdars, a family of vloggers who celebrate and elaborate on their Orthodox Jewish life. Courtesy of That Jewish Family.

For many individuals, there is always a stigma or fear surrounding “ultra-religion” or people who are simply very religious. Be it Judaism, Christianity, Islam, or anything, society – whether on the news or in fictionalized works – either inadvertently or intentionally paints religious folks in a not-so positive manner. Sometimes, of course, the presumed ideology people formulate towards religion is extremely hateful. Other times, it’s not so much hateful as foolish or teasing, like if someone says that religious people are OK, but super “strange.” It doesn’t sound very positive, if you ask me.

Throughout the years, Orthodox Jews have bore the brunt of ruthless backlash. You may remember the backfire when Netflix shows like Unorthodox and My Unorthodox Life were released because viewers believed the series to be too one-sided. Understandably so, there needs to be a conversation about Orthodox Judaism. Without conversation, misunderstanding ensues, which only spurs hatred. However, thanks to Dani and Raizel Namdar, vloggers of That Jewish Family, there is an opportunity to be educated about Jewish topics and customs that have been inaccurately portrayed in culture. Through their perceptive and positive videos, the couple lays all their cards on the table with audacity and humor.

With their adorable baby boy, Mendel, the Namdars are a loving family who just want to bring Orthodox Jewish life to film “JUST. AS. IT. IS.,” as their YouTube banner states. In other words, as the colloquial saying goes, “no BS.” Dani, who is from Australia, and Raizel, who is from Sweden, take out their phones and lay it on the line, discussing the facts of Judaism and not the rumors you may have heard elsewhere. They don’t look to convert viewers. They just separate the facts from the myths. With over 39,500 followers on Instagram, close to 12,000 on TikTok, and close to 7,000 on YouTube, That Jewish Family continues to make an impact on Jews and non-Jews alike.

Surprisingly, the Namdars don’t live in one particular home. They are nomadic, keeping their belongings in storage literally around the world. Their destinations span from Iceland to Sweden, Australia to Hungary or the United States. In one video, Dani jokes that he and his family don’t have a home as a way to opt out of not cleaning their house for Pesach after half a year. The couple is smiling, happy, and head over heels in love.

Perhaps it’s best to begin with the story of how Dani and Raizel met, as well as how many Orthodox Jewish couples do. In one of their most popular YouTube videos, the couple discusses how they were set up by a shadchan (Jewish matchmaker) in New York City. Both of their mothers already knew each other and wanted their offspring to meet. Funnily enough, after Dani proposed, Raizel went off to Ukraine for Pesach…and then broke off the engagement! But obviously, that wasn’t the end. They simply rekindled and got engaged again. They joke that the only “drama” in their relationship is that they were engaged twice.

It’s a sweet little video, but also very informative in the way Dani and Raizel suspend the common fallacies surrounding Orthodox Jewish dating. Unlike common belief, the two were never “forced” to date. In fact, Orthodox Jews can date whoever they want and get to know who they are to be matched with before they meet. After the first date, they simply report back to their shadchan on how it went. If they are a mismatch, it’s not the end of the world. They are not excommunicated from their religion. The matchmaker just helps them find someone else.

Dani and Raizel also give their opinion on shomer negiah, the custom where it is forbidden to touch your lover before you are married. Dani confesses that it is, indeed, a challenge, but the silver lining of it all is that it makes marriage all the more exciting. Sex is obviously an important part of a relationship, but getting to know the person you love and what you enjoy about them first before intimacy is equally principal. Ironically, a benefit of shomer negiah is that it makes the dating easier since both people understand that they are aiming for marriage in the end.

While explaining these beliefs, Dani and Raizel laugh and even poke fun at one another. They understand that non-Jews may disagree with them. They know that viewers may be totally misled about these topics, but they never judge. They never preach. All they want to explain is that despite how strict a Jewish custom may appear, there is always something remarkable to explore in it.

The couple’s deep dive into explaining Judaism is further explored in a variety of videos titled “Espresso Parsha,” where Dani, evidently a lover of the drink, always downs a cup of it before delving into a discussion. Like their video about marriage, Dani and Raizel’s discussions open a window into the endless teachings of Judaism and the Torah. The locations of their Espresso Parsha episodes will surely surprise you. In one video, they go to the Australian Open and debunk the myth that the Torah is like a “strict” rulebook that controls everyday decisions of Jews.

“We don’t focus on the rules,” says Dani. “We focus on the ‘game.’” If you learn from the Torah and don’t see it as a rulebook – like enjoying a game of tennis without overthinking about the rules – you will appreciate its teachings more.

In another video, Dani surfs in the Australian waters and gives his overview on life.

“When a challenge – a hurdle – comes your way,” he says. “It’s easy to get stressed. Just ‘ride’ on top of it, poker-faced!”

In a more unbelievable video, Dani swims with sharks. Yes, that’s right. Sharks! He swims with nature’s most fearful animals, all while discussing the Kabbalah in voiceover. It is a quirky, yet fascinating example of the rabbi’s creativity.

Raizel, with her beautiful smile and cheerful personality, adds to the couple’s informative videos on the truths and myths surrounding Jewish customs. In one video, she enters a mikveh and demonstrates how Tevilat Keilim works. This is a custom that I had never even heard of! Basically, every Jewish home is like a mini-temple, and just like in the temple, the objects that are used are pure and imbued with spirituality. Therefore, Tevilat Keilim requires Jews to immerse their “vessels” – a.k.a. kitchen appliances – in a mikveh before use to make their kitchen as kosher as possible. In another video, she talks about the myth that all Jewish women are required to shave their heads before marriage. Some of them do, as she states, but it has nothing to do with degrading or making a woman feel less attractive. Some women simply do it so that their real hair doesn’t pop out from under their wig.

Dani and Raizel sure do present a lot of facts and knowledge, but there are videos where they just have fun and share a laugh. Dani pranks the Rabbi of Iceland by saying he put regular gas in his diesel car. Dani blow-dries his wife’s sheitel (wig), laughing that this is “what happens” when you marry an Orthodox Jewish woman…and then he puts the wig on his head. The couple offers viewers a lot of knowledge and humor, but best of all, they inspire them. In one of their most moving TikTok videos, Dani interviews a young, American tourist after meeting him in the Dohány Street Synagogue, located in Budapest. This historic synagogue – the largest one in Europe – was part of the Budapest Ghetto and includes a Jewish cemetery in the courtyard. For the tourist, simply seeing the Namdars in their Jewish attire brought him to tears.

“It’s a miracle,” he says. “In many ways.”

The Namdars may identify as Orthodox Jews, but that doesn’t make them any less human. They ARE human. They love each other. They have a son. They surf, swim with sharks, play pranks on people, travel the world, make tons of videos, etc. Their religion shouldn’t scare you away. What they record is a reminder that religious people, no matter their customs, are just like anybody else. Whether you agree or disagree with the Namdars’ beliefs isn’t the point of That Jewish Family. All you have to do is listen. And who knows? Maybe one of their discussions will inspire you.

Follow That Jewish Family on TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram.

By Matthew Bussy, Program Director of PJFM