If there’s anyone who could teach a master class in kvelling, it’s Sharon Feldstein, mother of Jewish celebrities Jonah Hill and Beanie Feldstein. And this week, as Beanie Feldstein stepped into the role of Fanny Brice in the “Funny Girl” revival on Broadway, the kvelling was truly top notch.
Exhibit A: Sharon’s Instagram post the morning after opening night of “Funny Girl.”
“She did it! And she killed it! I could not be prouder of this child,” Sharon wrote about Beanie in the caption. “The characteristics she possess [sic] as a human being coupled with her talent and fearlessness is what makes her the greatest Person-and star! I could not love 💗 you more.”
Perhaps it is no surprise that Sharon is such a supportive parent, considering she is co-founder and CEO of Your Mom Cares, a charity that aims to improve mental health in children. Sharon started her career as a costume designer on the set of the 1970s sitcom “Taxi.” This particular skill came in handy when Beanie wanted to dress as Fanny Brice for her 3rd birthday party.
“I made my little girl this coat and hat for her 3rd bday because she was obsessed with funny girl,” Sharon wrote on Instagram the day “Funny Girl” opened in previews, sharing a photo Beanie had posted previously of her young self wearing an imitation of the leopard fur coat Barbra Streisand wore in the movie. “Four more hours and I get to watch my baby girl live her dream,” she continued. “There will be nothing like it.”
Beanie’s older brother Jonah Hill also shared the photo, writing, “I watched my sister @beaniefeldstein absolutely radiate off the stage tonight in @funnygirlbwy I remember the day she was dressed like this and heard this little miniature human sing these songs her whole life. Im obviously proud as her older brother, but what I saw her do tonight surpassed siblinghood or pride. Her talent caused me to cheer from the depths of my heart. Im floored. I love you @beaniefeldstein and I’m in awe of you and the talent you possess ❤️”
Sharon commented on Jonah’s post, “I am in awe of my children ❤️.”
Seriously, can this family get any cuter?
We’ve written about Sharon’s kvelling before, as she walked Beanie down the red carpet at the Academy Awards in 2020. But, like most parents, Sharon does not need a special occasion to kvell — her Instagram feed is full of sweet messages about her children (Beanie, Jonah and her eldest son Jordan who passed away in 2017) as well as her grandchildren, Jordan’s two sons. In fact, in March of 2020 she posted a snippet of a young Beanie singing “Don’t Rain on My Parade,” the iconic song from “Funny Girl.”
Forget the all-too-prevalent stereotypes of Jewish mothers being overbearing and picky — for us, Sharon Feldstein embodies the Jewish mother we want to see in the world: unconditionally, overwhelmingly proud.
