Orthodox Hungarian Boy Steals Show on Oprah Winfrey’s ‘Belief’
Image by Part2Pictures
(JTA) — Orthodox Jewish boys from Hungary are not typically a hot topic on Twitter.
But after the Sunday night premiere of Oprah Winfrey’s “Belief,” a seven-part documentary series exploring various faiths around the world, the Internet is enamored with Mendel Hurwitz, one of the show’s first subjects.
Hurwitz, now 15, hails from Budapest, where the show followed him as he prepared for his bar mitzvah. Over the course of the episode, Hurwitz displays precocious wisdom and a lovable sense of humor that endeared him to many fans.
In fact, Hurwitz was the only subject whose story Oprah herself tweeted about after the premiere.
Emmy-winning actress Uzo Aduba and others hopped on the Hurwitz bandwagon.
Oprah’s website also shared a recent video of Mendel and his father, Orthodox Rabbi Shlomo Hurwitz.
“I think he brings comic relief,” Hurwitz’s father said in explaining why he was chosen for the show.
So what does Hurwitz want to do with his future after exploring his faith?
“My dream is to become a very smart rabbi, and that’s achievable,” he said with a smile.
A message from our editor-in-chief Jodi Rudoren
We're building on 127 years of independent journalism to help you develop deeper connections to what it means to be Jewish today.
With so much at stake for the Jewish people right now — war, rising antisemitism, a high-stakes U.S. presidential election — American Jews depend on the Forward's perspective, integrity and courage.
— Jodi Rudoren, Editor-in-Chief
