Rom-Com with a Twist – Kiss Me Kosher

Mar 20, 2023 by Two Sues On the Aisle

By Susie Rosenbluth and Sue Weston, Two Sues on the Aisle

Kiss Me Kosher is an unconventional love story, which on the surface is a romantic comedy about two women, one Israeli and the other German who fall in love. Writer/director Shirel Peleg creates a tailspin of conflict as each character introduces issues that make the lesbian relationship feel normal. This movie marks Peleg’s debut feature-length film as a director, based on her true-life love story, which may be why the plot is so engaging, and entertaining.

The Plot

Shira Shalev (played by Moran Rosenblatt) manages a bar The Jewish Princess, financed by her maternal grandmother, Berta (Rivka Michaeli) a Holocaust survivor the quintessential Jewish Princess. Shira is moving in with Maria Müller (Luise Wolfran), her girlfriend of three months, who accidentally proposes. This escalates their relationship, launching conversations about wedding planning and meeting the family, each of whom could be a caricature.

Shira’s father, an American settler in the West Bank, and mother married because of an unexpected pregnancy, while Maria’s parents never married and are pro-peace-nicks. The opinionated Grandma Berta vehemently opposes Shira marrying a German but has been secretly dating a successful Palestinian doctor. Then add into the mix Liam, Shira’s younger brother who has been meticulously filming everything for his film class assignment, and enjoys creating drama.

Put it all together and the result is a ridiculous and funny film, and yet these families find their way to accept and celebrate their different backgrounds, leaving us with a happy ending.

Exploring the Prejudice

In Shira’s family, there is no holding back, Maria is called out as being the “Holy Trinity” — lesbian, gentile, and German. Shira’s mother who had studied in Germany for a year attempts to impress others with her grasp of the language.  Their concern is uncovering the extent to which Maria’s family was involved in the Holocaust, and of course, having Jewish grandchildren. Shira’s family is Jewish, Israeli, but non-observant, they have chosen to live in the settlement ostensibly to prevent Berta from visiting.

Whereas Maria’s family feels guilt from Germany’s involvement in the Holocaust, they see it as an issue of national pride rather than a personal connection. Maria and her mother are visibly affected by their visit to the Holocaust Memorial Museum, recognizing the personal connection Israelis have.  Kiss Me Kosher shows that there is a difference between understanding hatred on an intellectual level, (which allows you to treat all Germans as being complicit with the Holocaust), and connecting on an individual level.

The Film Works

The relationships work because of the character’s complimentary personalities. Maria is reserved and refined, prone to hiccups whenever tensions rise. She is the perfect complement to Shira, who is impulsive and seems to have had a relationship with every lesbian in Jerusalem. Berta a rough opinionated privileged woman, constantly chain-smoking, is balanced by her soft-spoken kind Palestinian boyfriend (Salim Daw).

These relationships don’t make sense or as Shira says, “Here’s to the couples that shouldn’t fit, but somehow do.” That’s where the magic of love and attraction comes into play.

Just Plain Fun

Life is complicated. It is refreshing when two people who belong together meet and get the full support of their families. Kiss Me Kosher is a feel-good movie, full of one-liners, ridiculous situations, and laughter.

In a world where storytelling can either be a weapon of hatred and terror or a tool for spreading love and forging connections,   steadfastly committed to bringing stories to the world that nurture love and build bridges.

*****

Two Sues on the Aisle bases its ratings on how many challahs (1-5) it pays to buy (rather than make) to see the play, show, film, book, or exhibit being reviewed. 

Kiss Me Kosher received a 4 Challah rating

Runtime: 1h 41m