You can call George “Costanza.” You can call Elaine “Benes.” By us, they’re still Jews.
Neurotic. Obsessive. Compulsive. Insecure. Immensely human. With parents to match.
For the past nine years, the gloriously well-written sitcom “Seinfeld” has given us a chance to recognize ourselves and laugh at ourselves, quirks and all.
Even so, some critics contend the top-rated sitcom, whose final episode will air Thursday, reinforces negative stereotypes of Jewish clergy, ritual and women.
Others say Jews have really arrived when they can be portrayed on prime-time television — mishugas and all. What’s more, the defenders say, “Seinfeld” is a comedy. It pokes equal fun at a whole host of minorities. So lighten up.
Whatever one’s individual opinion, one thing is certain. During its successful run, “Seinfeld” has brought Jewish characters and culture into the living rooms of millions in a way few other pop culture institutions have.
We have watched Jerry’s parents live out the quintessential Jewish retirement in Florida. We have seen Elaine discover that Jewish men like her because she is a “shiksa.” We have even seen the oft-irreverent Jerry make out with his girlfriend during the movie “Schindler’s List.”
And we have watched the “Seinfeld” characters parade through a comedy of errors at britot milah, weddings and other Jewish affairs.
Jews, not surprisingly, are among the show’s biggest fans. If discussions in Jewish chat rooms and elsewhere on the Internet are any gauge, most Jewish viewers are just fine with the show’s depiction of Jews.
A majority of us, to be sure, will miss our weekly dose of Jerry, Elaine, George, Kramer and friends. We’ll miss their inane observations on life, Jewish and otherwise.
We could go on and on.
But enough already.
Yada yada yada…