Is Paul Jewish and are the Buchmans an inter-faith couple?
It is highly probable that they are, although the show has managed to steer a secular course so far. Paul Buchman appears to be a non-practicing Jew. He is concerned about “shellfish within fowl,” referring to oysters stuffing at Thanksgiving, as well as the mince pie [1.9]. Paul also wonders if Mona’s special meatloaf for Murray is kugel [2.20]. On the other hand, Sylvia Buchman lobbies for shrimp to be served at her son’s wedding [3.13] and gets to the last scampi when dining out with Paul and Jamie and the Stemples [2.20], so it is likely that both generations of Buchmans are non-practicing. (An upcoming MAY episode will shed more light on this matter). Jamie Stemple is a non-Catholic [1.9], possibly a Protestant. There is a side reference to having family in Israel in the Tag to [2.22], but that would appear to be a Helen Hunt reference, not necessarily a Jamie Stemple reference. Mark and Fran were a Jewish couple; they observed Seder [1.9] and Fran made kugel for her sister-in-law
