What Brings Jackie Tohn Jewish Joy
Despite a demanding press tour schedule for the latest season of "Nobody Wants This," Tohn recently took time to share a lighter, deeply personal side of her life. Speaking with culture writers, she reflected on the items, memories, and cultural touchstones that bring her a sense of Jewish joy. Known for her warm, effervescent personality and genuine connection to her heritage—qualities that previously shone through in interviews where she kvelled proudly about her father—Tohn curated a delightful selection of eight distinct things that capture her unique brand of Jewish happiness, ranging from childhood nostalgia to quirky art pieces and linguistic appreciation.
At the top of Tohn’s list of cherished possessions is a custom-painted portrait of her dog, Glen, depicted as a rabbi. The unique artwork came to be after her close friend and collaborator, Kristen Bell, was working on a film project portraying a painter around the time Tohn was settling into a new home. As a thoughtful housewarming present, Bell commissioned the film’s on-set consulting artist to paint Tohn’s beloved dog dressed in traditional rabbinical attire, creating an item that remains one of her most prized personal belongings.
Tohn’s appreciation for the arts extends into the microscopic realm through her longstanding collection of Jewish miniatures, a hobby she has pursued since she was a young child. Among her most treasured items in this category are a tiny menorah and a plate of miniature black-and-white cookies. Highlighting the incredible attention to detail in these artisanal pieces, she notes that the tiny plate of iconic New York bakery treats is actually smaller than a quarter.
Language and cultural expression also hold a prominent place in Tohn’s daily life, specifically her fondness for Yiddish. Growing up, she listened to her mother speak the language with her grandparents, fostering a lifelong affection for its distinct cadence and character. Tohn observes that Yiddish reflects the very people who speak it—funny, quick-witted, and refreshingly direct—expressing a wish that she used it more frequently in her everyday conversations. Among her favorite traditional expressions is a vivid idiom about juggling multiple commitments, which translates to the notion that with a single body, one cannot dance at two weddings at the same time.
When it comes to celebrating Jewish traditions, Tohn recently upgraded her ritual objects while holding onto the sentimental favorites of her past. After years of lighting the candles for Hanukkah using what she describes as the world’s kitschiest menorah, she decided it was time to transition to a more contemporary aesthetic. Last year, she acquired a minimalist, sleek design from the Judaica brand Via Maris, marking a shift toward a more modern look for the holiday season.
However, her retirement of the older holiday fixture did not mean parting with its memories. The retired piece—a New York City skyline menorah—was thrifted for her by her mother roughly a decade ago as an immaculate piece of holiday art. Only when unboxing the item to retire it did Tohn discover the name of its designer printed on the packaging. She noted with characteristic humor that the designer, Shepsil Scheinberg, holds the title for her favorite Jewish name of all time, observing that the combination of words reads like the ultimate tribute to traditional heritage.
Tohn’s wardrobe also reflects her cultural pride, specifically through a collection of Yiddish dad hats that she wears on an almost daily basis. Featuring embroidered words such as schlepping, schvitzing, and kvelling, the baseball caps have become a subtle way for her to connect with fellow travelers and fans while navigating airports. She describes the frequent nods of recognition she receives from strangers as an unspoken acknowledgment among those who understand the cultural references.
Continuing her affinity for miniature art and historical preservation, Tohn highlights a delicate fire escape ornament inspired by the Lower East Side’s Tenement Museum. Having visited the historic institution for the first time last year, she fell in love with its mission and atmosphere, making the tiny architectural replica a natural addition to her collection of scaled-down treasures.
Rounding out her list of joyful artifacts is another remarkable thrift store find gifted by her mother: a miniature trinket box shaped precisely like a bowl of matzah ball soup. True to the whimsical nature of her collection, the small container opens up to reveal an even tinier, perfectly sculpted matzah ball that rolls around loose on the inside. For Tohn, the playful object represents the ultimate convergence of humor, familial affection, and cultural nostalgia, wrapping up a collection that mirrors her own vibrant and multidimensional presence in the entertainment world.
