Jean Meltzer is a Jewish American author, a former producer, writer, and director for Tapestry International, and an Emmy Award winner.[1][2] In 2006, she left the television industry to study in Rabbinical schools and seminars in Jerusalem for five years until she left as a result of her chronic illness.[3] In 2022, the rights to her novel The Matzah Ball have been optioned. Along with Lance Bass Productions and Brett Gursky, it is to be produced by Sugar23.[4]
Jean Meltzer | |
|---|---|
| Occupation | Author, producer |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | New York University Tisch School of the Arts (BFA) |
| Genre | Jewish young adult romance |
| Notable awards | Daytime Emmy 2004 Assignment Discovery – Producer |
| Website | |
| jeanmeltzer | |
Early life and education
editMeltzer was born to an American Jewish family. She grew up keeping Kashrut, Jewish dietary laws and attending Hebrew schools.[3] She attended New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Department of Dramatic Writing, and received her BFA in 2002.[5] In 2006, she studied at several rabbanic colleges and seminaries in Israel before she left as a result of her illness, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome.[3] Today Meltzer lives in Virginia.[6]
Career
editTelevision career
editAfter her graduation, Meltzer started to work as creative director of Tapestry International. She worked as a producer at several shows including Assignment Discovery which won the 2004 Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's Series. She also directed some episodes of the show TLC Elementary School in which she also served as a producer and served as a writer at the TV Movie Christmas and the Civil War.[2] Meltzer is currently serving as a producer to the upcoming movie The Matzah Ball which is based on her novel by the same name.[4]
Rabbanic career
editIn 2006, Meltzer quit her television career and moved to Israel to study in Rabbanic schools. For five years, she studied in several Rabbanic colleges and seminaries in Jerusalem until her chronic illness prevented her from continuing her career.[5]
Writing career
editMeltzer writes young adult romance with Jewish main characters. Her debut novel The Matzah Ball was published in 2021. In an interview she stated that the inspiration for the book was her love for Christmas books and movies; she said she challenged herself into writing a Hannukah romance with all the holiday twists, tropes, and "magic" that would still be authentic to contemporary Jewish experience.[6] Since then, she has written three more books: Mr. Perfect on Paper, Kissing Kosher and Magical Meet Cute.[7] In an interview regarding the Jewish representation in her books she explained that one of the reasons to write Jewish stories is her niece:
“I didn’t have happy Jewish stories growing up and I realized my niece needed these types of stories, so I sat down and wrote a book for her,”.[8]
Bibliography
edit- The Matzah Ball (2021)
- Mr. Perfect on Paper (2022)
- Kissing Kosher (2023)
- Magical Meet Cute (2024)
Filmography
editProducer
edit- 1995 TLC Elementary School
- 2003 - 2006 Assignment Discovery
- 2004 Understanding
- Upcoming - The Matzah Ball
Writer
edit- 2006 Christmas and the Civil War
Director
edit- 1995 TLC Elementary School
Awards
editTelevision
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Children's Series | Assignment Discovery | Won | [9] |
| 2006 | CINE Competition | Telecast - Professional Non-Fiction Division:
Children's Programs |
Assignment Discovery | Won | [9] |
| 2007 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Children's Series | Assignment Discovery | Nominated | [9] |
| 2008 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding New Approaches - Children's | Assignment Discovery | Nominated | [9] |
References
edit- ^ "Jean Meltzer | Bookreporter.com". www.bookreporter.com. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ a b "Jean Meltzer | Producer, Writer, Director". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ a b c "Jean Meltzer Books". www.hachette.com.au. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ a b Kroll, Justin (2022-02-03). "Sugar23 To Develop Jean Meltzer's 'The Matzah Ball' As Feature Film, Lance Bass Productions Producing". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ a b "About Jean – JEAN MELTZER". Retrieved 2024-02-08.
- ^ a b Macomber, Debbie (2021-09-23). "Jean Meltzer". Welcome Home. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ "JEAN MELTZER – Books With Ahava". Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ Karpen, Elizabeth (2023-11-02). "Jewish romance writers break down their latest novels and why we need more Jewish stories". Unpacked. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
- ^ a b c d "Jean Meltzer - Awards". IMDb. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
External links
editJean Meltzer at IMDb