As I was watching Disney\u2019s Agatha All Along with my family, we were hit with something truly unexpected\u2014a bar mitzvah scene. My son, eyes wide, turned to me and said, \u201cThat gives me so much pride.\u201d I almost spit out my soda. Pride? From a Marvel show about a witch trying to get her powers back? I didn\u2019t see that coming. But hey, if Wanda Maximoff can bend reality, maybe Marvel can sneak in some Torah while they\u2019re at it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There it was: William Kaplan, played by Joe Locke, nervously walking through the sanctuary, Torah in hand, getting ready to chant his bar mitzvah portion. And suddenly, this witchcraft-heavy superhero series got a dash of Jewish soul. Who knew that behind all the special effects and CGI, there was some serious thought going into which Torah portion would best represent the story? (Hint: Parshat Shemini\u2014where Aaron\u2019s sons get a little too creative with their sacrifices and, well, let\u2019s just say they\u2019re playing with fire\u2026 literally.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But what makes this scene even better is the story behind it. Marvel didn\u2019t just slap on a yarmulke and call it a day\u2014they actually sought out consultation from real rabbis. Rabbi Alexandria Shuval-Weiner, a mom of five and Marvel fan (of course), auditioned for the role of \u201cRabbi\u201d in real life and landed the gig. I mean, who says rabbis can\u2019t moonlight as Marvel consultants, right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She worked tirelessly with Joe Locke, who\u2014let\u2019s face it\u2014is not exactly the most natural at reciting Torah blessings, but he was a mensch about the whole thing. They practiced over Zoom, like the Jewish superhero training camp no one knew they needed. Joe was determined to get it right, asking, \u201cIs this okay? Will anyone be insulted by this?\u201d (Honestly, if a Marvel character reading from the Torah offends you, maybe there are bigger issues at hand.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The scene itself? Filmed at Temple Kol Emeth in Atlanta, it took two days to get the perfect 77-second moment on screen. That\u2019s right\u2014two days. Meanwhile, most bar mitzvahs wrap up in two hours, but Marvel doesn\u2019t do quick and easy, do they? Rabbi Shuval-Weiner spent an hour just getting the congregational response to \u201cBarchu et Adonai hamevorach\u201d down, because, as any bar mitzvah attendee will tell you, the people in the pews are the real stars of the show.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By the time the episode aired, Rabbi Shuval-Weiner was too busy shaking a lulav for Sukkot to catch it live. But that didn\u2019t stop her phone from blowing up with excited texts: \u201cOMG, Rabbi, you\u2019re on Marvel!\u201d Yep, that\u2019s the kind of fame they don\u2019t teach you about in rabbinical school. She\u2019s even eligible to join the Screen Actors Guild now, though she\u2019s not ready to leave her congregation for Hollywood just yet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But here\u2019s the thing\u2014this wasn\u2019t just a cool Marvel cameo. It was something deeper. In a time when antisemitism seems to be everywhere, a scene like this gives us a little hope. It\u2019s a reminder that, even in the most unexpected places, our Jewish traditions and stories can shine through. Sure, it\u2019s a Marvel show about witches, but seeing a bar mitzvah\u2014performed with respect and authenticity\u2014on a global platform sends a powerful message. We\u2019re still here. Our traditions are still here. And in a world that often feels a bit hostile, that\u2019s something to celebrate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, whether you\u2019re tuning in for the superhero action or just hoping to spot your rabbi in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this scene hit home. It\u2019s not just representation\u2014it\u2019s a moment that reminds us of our resilience. And honestly, if a bar mitzvah kid can stand tall in the middle of a witchcraft-heavy storyline, there\u2019s hope for all of us. Who knows\u2014maybe this will even get a few more kids excited about Torah study. After all, if it\u2019s good enough for Marvel, it\u2019s good enough for us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, if only we could get Agatha to make the hora a little more exciting\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n