Watch Latter Day Jew

"Latter Day Jew" is a 2019 documentary film that follows the journey of comedian Judy Gold and fellow comedian H. Alan Scott, as they explore their identities as Jewish members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also known as the Mormon church. The film begins with Gold and Scott recording a podcast together, discussing their experiences growing up Jewish and their later conversion to Mormonism. Gold had previously left her Orthodox Jewish community to attend Rutgers University, where she discovered her love for comedy. Scott, on the other hand, was raised in a Mormon household and converted to Judaism in his 20s before eventually returning to Mormonism.

Throughout the film, Gold and Scott travel to various locations significant to the history of the Mormon church, including the Salt Lake Temple in Utah and the Hill Cumorah in New York. They also interview other Jewish members of the Mormon church, including a rabbi who converted to Mormonism and a family who converted together.

One of the themes that emerges throughout the film is the tension that arises from being both Jewish and Mormon. Gold and Scott often discuss feeling like outsiders within their own religious communities - too Jewish for their Mormon friends, and too Mormon for their Jewish friends. They also grapple with the conflicting beliefs and practices of their two faiths - for example, maintaining a kosher diet while also adhering to the Mormon Word of Wisdom, which prohibits alcohol, tobacco, coffee, and tea.

Gold and Scott's personal stories, as well as their interactions with other Jewish Mormons, highlight the complexity and diversity of religious identity. The film also addresses broader questions about religious pluralism and the intersection of multiple identities.

One noteworthy scene in the film involves Gold and Scott attending a Passover Seder in Salt Lake City with other Jewish members of the Mormon church. The Seder incorporates elements of both Jewish and Mormon tradition, such as a reading from the Book of Mormon alongside the traditional Haggadah. This scene illustrates the creative ways that people can merge different aspects of their identities to create something new and meaningful.

Another standout moment in the film is Gold's interview with her mother, who expresses her disapproval of Gold's conversion to Mormonism. This emotional conversation highlights the tensions that can arise within families when religious identities clash.

"Latter Day Jew" is a thoughtful and entertaining exploration of the intersection of Jewish and Mormon identity. While the film focuses on the experiences of Gold and Scott, it raises broader questions about the complexity of religious identity and the challenges of navigating multiple faiths. Ultimately, the film emphasizes the importance of embracing all aspects of oneself and finding a community that accepts and celebrates those complexities.

Latter Day Jew is a 2019 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1.