The Reel Schmooze on 'Roommates' and 'How to Make Challah': Different slices of Jewish American pie

In this week's episode of The Times of Israel's The Real Schmooze, hosts Amanda Borchel-Dahn and Jordan Hoffman dive into two contrasting Jewish-themed films: the poignant 13-minute short *How to Make Challah* and the more forgettable Netflix release *Roommates*. The discussion begins with a deep dive into the 1960s epic *Exodus*, where the hosts reflect on its cultural resonance despite its cinematic shortcomings, and speculate on a possible symbolic link between the character Karen Hanson and Anne Frank through the recurring use of the name 'Kitty'. They explore how nostalgia shapes audience reception, using their own experience watching *The Last Unicorn* as a case study. The centerpiece of the episode is *How to Make Challah*, a charming, generational portrait of a Jewish family in New York, made by filmmaker Sarah Rosen. The film’s warmth, humor, and layered storytelling about tradition, memory, and identity earn it a glowing review. In contrast, *Roommates*, a vehicle for Sadie Sandler, is criticized for its lack of originality, weak plotting, and failure to live up to the expectations set by its premise. The hosts reflect on cultural differences in college life, especially between American and Israeli youth, and lament the film’s missed opportunities. The episode closes with a preview of the upcoming documentary *Bernstein's Wall*, set to release in theaters.