What a TV doctor teaches about Jewish values

(JNS) — Television rarely gets Jewish life right. Too often, Jewish characters are comic foils, political symbols or walking memorials of tragedy.

That’s what makes Dr. Michael Robinavitch (played by Noah Wyle, who had a lead role in the TV series “ER” that aired on NBC from 1994 to 2009, and whose father, original name Weil, is Jewish)—in HBO’s medical drama “The Pitt”—quietly remarkable. He is not defined by neurosis or by slogans. He is defined by how he treats people.

This lead physician goes by “Dr. Robby,” sparing patients the need to pronounce his surname. He does not hide his Jewishnes...