Making the Cut

A touching and hilarious memoir of an unconventional Jewish love story, from ‘Britain’s answer to David Sedaris’ (Andrew O’Hagan)

‘\“I liked the Jewish jokes,\” she says.
\“Oh, it’s OK\”, I say. \“I’m allowed to make them.\“
Her eyes light up.
And so it all begins.’

When Max meets Eliana, a dazzling modern Orthodox Jewish girl, in a bar in Edinburgh one night, he never expected it kickstart an agonising identity crisis. While their connection is instant and deep, Max discovers a devastating truth- that to millions around the world, including the girl he’s fallen for, he is deemed non-Jewish.

Determined to build a future with her, comedian and writer (and uncircumcised liberal Jew) Max Olesker embarks on the world’s most demanding religious conversion process. He attempts to navigate the dizzying complexities of Jewish law, the challenges of maintaining a relationship without physical contact, and the looming prospect of a date with a scalpel. From moving into the home of an Orthodox family for eight months to enduring gruelling interrogations by a high court of Rabbis, Max’s journey is a rollercoaster of humour, heartbreak, and self-discovery.

A hilarious and moving true account of one man’s quest to marry the love of his life, Making the Cut will make you laugh, cry, and believe in the transformative power of love.

Author Biography

Max Olesker is a multi-award-winning comedian, a Contributing Editor at Esquire, and was once Britain’s youngest professional wrestler. He is one half of globally acclaimed comedy double-act Max & Ivan, who have created sitcoms for TV and radio and have performed their intricate multi-character live shows at SXSW Festival, the Edinburgh Fringe, and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, as well as on tour throughout the UK. Making the Cut is his first book.