When the venerable New York Times devoted a full page to a Netflix series about a family of Haredim, The Shofar decided it was time to take a look at “Shtisel,” an Israeli series in which the characters are, as Times writer Joseph Berger described them, “black-hatted, side-curled men and bewigged women of ultra-Orthodox Judaism.”

This insular subculture, unfamiliar even to many Jews let alone other faiths, vividly portrays the traditions and customs of the observant while endearing its viewers to the characters and everyday stories that occupy all families of all faiths. “Shtisel” tells the many intertwined stories of the Shtisel family, led by Shulem Shtisel, a proud Torah scholar, and his children, Akiva, as yet unmarried in spite of intense matchmaking, and Giti, a mother of six with an scheming husband. Together, the family’s storylines tell tales not so much of religious life in Jerusalem, but rather of universal drama — unrequited love, unfaithful husbands, and unfulfilled goals in the slog of daily life.

Watching the show, one is so caught up with the human drama and its comic asides that although the beards and black hats are there, they become secondary to the narrative. The response on social media has been so strong since the show started streaming on Netflix in December that the creators are contemplating a third season.