How to Be Jewish Again

Bacon But-Nots

How to Be Jewish Again

by Gillian Fischer

GFO at The Hen and Chickens Theatre, Highbury until 24^th August

Review by Heather Moulson

In her one-woman show, writer-broadcaster-actress Gillian Fischer is urged to reconnect with her Jewish roots.  After following a passion for bacon, Gillian wanted to revert to Judaism.   However, after research with a slideshow, despite the vast number of people converting to Judaism, people reverting back to their Jewish faith was zero!  In How to Be Jewish Again, we share her hilarious uphill climb. 

Born to Jewish parents in Glasgow, and a former blonde, Fischer talks about her family moving to Israel when she was seven.  At eighteen, our heroine did military service, drove a tank, and was presented with a bible.  By life choices, Fischer grew away from her religion.

As she contemplates her future as a Jew, we are given great insight into her lifespan chart.   The most profound message seems to be that being a Jew is for life.   

Fischer takes us through a Bat Mitzvah (Daughter of Commandment).  An important ceremony that gives a girl place in the Jewish community; girls are generally twelve years old for this significant rite of passage, but it can take place at any age. 

Circumcision, Hebrew, Mikveh ritual baths, the taboo of bacon, and sex being a divine gift and a holy obligation to satisfy one’s wife, are all frankly and wittily presented. 

Taking eighteen months to convert to Judaism sounds like an arduous climb and maybe Fischer will never be ‘Jewish enough’.   It was a poignant message, but the exhaustive facts sometimes lost the audience, although a more packed house could carry it off.   There was also a feeling of being laboured in places.  However, Gillian Fischer had a witty and vibrant style, and was a natural comedian and storyteller. 

Heather Moulson, August 2023

Photography courtesy of GFO