By: Elena Donatone
Name: Esther “Esty”
Last Name: Shapiro
Age: 19 Years Old
Religion: Jewish Orthodox
Living in: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York City and then Berlin, Germany
Character Traits: Brunette, dark eyes and short. But with a strength that will overwhelm you!
If you are one of the many viewers who loved the drama miniseries Unorthodox, then you certainly know that Esty is what makes it so empowering to watch.
Played by the young and talented Israeli actress Shira Haas, Esty is a character that definitely leaves a mark.
Esty is a 19 years old Jewish girl living in an ultra-Orthodox community in New York City. The community, situated in Brooklyn, could not be further away from the Big Apple we all know of from glamorous movies and series.
Esty’s life is filled with religious and strict rules she needs to follow. She is also trapped in an arranged marriage that does not make her happy.
Esty is not satisfied with her life and she can’t imagine a day she will be. And that is why, with great courage and determination, she decides to flee the community to go live in the multicultural city of Berlin. Adapting to such a life changing experience is not easy and Esty faces several obstacles on the way, especially because of the cultural differences.
Esty is surely one of the most fascinating and complex TV characters I have seen in a while. She is both fragile and strong. Close to her family’s traditions, but also desperate to find her own path and independence.
At the start of the series, Esty is clearly unhappy with her life. She knows she desire more than just being a housewife and a part of the ultra-Orthodox community. Although she loves her family very much, Esty feels like a fish out of water. She doesn’t know how to fully stand up for herself and she is scared of letting her family down.
“The rules are imaginary. The eruv wires around the neighborhood aren’t electric, there’s no moat around the kingdom of Williamsburg filled with crocodiles.. Their power is just in your head.”
When she decides to flee, her character changes and she feels more in control of her life.
As the episodes go on, Esty slowly finds her voice and what she truly wants in life.
The change is clear through the character’s appearance as well. Esty was obliged to wear long skirts and dark colours in her community. She also had to wear a wig, because women’s hair is shaved after they marry. Howeve, when she gets to Berlin, her outfits change slowly and we can see Esty wearing jeans and even high-heeled shoes! She is finally able to express herself.
“I’m different from the other girls”
A powerful scene that defines the shift between the old Esty and the new one is shown in the first episode of the series. Esty meets a group of musicians who take her to a lake close to Berlin. While everyone takes off their clothes to go swimming, she is hesitant at first and does not want to join in. But after observing everybody enjoying themselves, Esty decides to give it a try.
As I watched her getting in the water, it was clear to me how her life had always been lived following rules and restrictions. That is the first authentic moment she is experiencing and the actress delivers an amazing performance. The moment is so pure and liberating for Esty that she even finds the courage to take off her wig and abandon it in the lake. Almost as a symbol of her rebirth.
“God expected too much of me. Now I need to find my own path”
From then on, Esty finds more and more strength in herself she didn’t even know she had. Due to her passion for playing the piano and singing, she decides to audition for a famous conservatory in Berlin. Although filled with obstacles, her journey to getting accepted is empowering and emotional — just as much as the audition itself.
The song Esty decides to sing during her audition is dedicated to her grandmother, which totally moved me to the point where I shed a couple of tears! The song made me realise that although Esty yearns for freedom and independence, she will always love her family and they will always have a place in her heart.
Overall Esty is a symbol of overcoming obstacles and finding the strength to let go of a difficult past in order to find your own voice. What more could you ask for in a character?
“The Talmud says: If not me, then who? If not now, then when?”
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