We always knew Joanne and Noah were headed for this conflict. Noah’s been clear that his biggest dream is to become head rabbi once his boss retires, and he’s also known that he’ll never become head rabbi if he’s married to someone who isn’t Jewish. Well, folks, Rabbi Cohen walks into Noah’s office and completely blows up his life.
He tells him that he just learned that it’s actually pronounced Zen-day-a and not Zen-dye-a. Oh, and also, he’s retiring, and he wants Noah to replace him, but he knows about Joanne, and there’s no way the board will ever approve him for the job if he stays with her. It’s mostly the second thing that blows up his life.
Not all hope is lost: Rabbi Cohen reminds Noah that Joanne could always convert. He suggests talking to her about Judaism but starts with “the fun stuff,” obviously. He is not willing to give Joanne up — guys, he likes her so, so much — and hatches a plan.
The double date Joanne roped Esther into is that night — it’s dinner at Noah’s and Miriam will be there, too, but still, it is happening — so Noah enlists Sasha’s help to really sell the pros of being Jewish. Sasha is surprised his brother hasn’t already broached the subject of “the big C” with Joanne (and no, he does not know what that actually means), but he is more than happy to help “soft launch Judaism.” Unbeknownst to him, Noah’s timing isn’t great.
Joanne is riding a high over the fact that she knew about the Rebecca box fo.
