Seinfeld: Jewish or not?

Canada has a sitcom called "Little Mosque on the Prairie."

... a new show called "Little Mosque on the Prairie," North America's first sitcom about Muslims. Elsayed gave rave reviews to the premiere of the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's show about a Muslim community in a small, midwestern town, and he's eagerly awaiting the second episode Wednesday.

"A lighthearted comedy that portrays the Muslim community in a manner that is evenhanded is definitely a welcome change from hearing about Muslims as terrorists, as jihadists," Elsayed says. "This is a great tool for people to learn about Islam in a language they can understand, which is comedy. Also, it's a great indicator that Muslims are an integral part of this community - this is who we are, so accept our differences, not just tolerate them."

It sounds good. But I do have a question about this:

"We need something to show that Muslims are human," says Kamal Nawash, founder of the Free Muslims Coalition, an anti-extremist group based in Washington, D.C. "I'm hoping it ends up being something like 'Seinfeld' - a show made up by Jews where the whole show is based on humor. It puts life in perspective; it shows people that we're all the same at the end of the day."

Is it really wise to say that: "a show made up by Jews" when they do have many non-Jewish characters?

Publicists for the show hemmed and hawed when asked about the characters' religious identities, but a not-so-scientific survey of old episodes revealed that Cosmo Kramer, Elaine Benes and George Costanza are definitely not Jewish.

Then again, the two main creators were both secularish Jews. So I guess Mr. Nawash has a point, sort of. Even the non-Jew characters seemed pretty Jewish - or perhaps New Yorkish would be the better term.

DISCLAIMER:

I am not Jewish.

I was made an honorary Jew by two Jewish guys in the back of a minibus in Indonesia. Danny Goetz "naik butt" and another guy who didn't drink so I don't recall his name.

If I was Jewish I would be a non-practicing secular Jew who nevertheless bought a sukkah every so often. Eating in a tent is very cool.

ERRATTA:

Best of luck to Mr. Rahman:

But he's hopeful that the show will have a positive influence, both on how non-Muslims view his religion and on how Muslims see themselves. "At least somebody is brave enough to bring some humor to this sensitive religion," says Mr. Rahman, a coordinator for a gay Muslim group.