While still a high school student, Ariel Schrag became famous for publishing a series of comic-book memoirs. Some were funny, others were racy, but they all had a breathless immediacy.
In the short comic “The Chosen,” Schrag becomes confessional about her status as a Jew–her father’s Jewish; her mother isn’t. She’s trying to unload a choice Brooklyn apartment, and meets a Hasidic broker who casually asks if she’s Jewish. When she replies “yes,” he starts wishing her “Shabbat shalom” on Friday afternoon and complimenting her family pictures. Which instantly makes Ariel feel like she’s “faking it.”
In spite of its heavy subject matter, the comic is light and fun and funny, with a surprise ending that’s laugh-out-loud and melancholy all at once.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
