By Linda Buchwald

(JTA) – TV Land’s “Younger” is a fun sitcom about Liza (Sutton Foster), a recently divorced 40-year-old mother who passes herself off as 26 after having a tough time landing a job in the publishing industry.

The show – created by Darren Star, of “Sex and the City” and “Beverly Hills, 90210” fame – has already impressed us with its Jewish content. In the first season, one of Liza’s young new friends, Lauren (Molly Bernard), decides to throw a “Hot Mitzvah” – a “redo” of the bat mitzvah when you’re older, better looking and more confident. (This is an amazing idea and we hope it catches on.)

Now in its third season, “Younger” recently upped the Jewish content with an observant Jewish lesbian, Malkie (Sally Pressman), who’s the love interest of Liza’s best friend and roommate, Maggie, who is not Jewish (though she is played by actress Debi Mazar, who has a Jewish father).

She just may be the first gay Orthodox character to have a major arc on a mainstream television show. So far, Malkie’s been in three episodes and we’re hoping she’ll show up again. After all, Jewish gay characters are rarely shown on television, and neither are Orthodox characters of any kind.

Regardless of what happens to Malkie, her impact is felt. Here’s why Malkie’s appearance on “Younger” has been groundbreaking.

Malkie shows that Orthodox women can be stylish

There is a misconception that dressing modestly means looking frumpy – but women of all stripes can cover up in well-fitting, attractive clothing. Malkie owns a boutique on Brooklyn’s uber-hip Bedford Ave. called “Covered Girl” and tells Maggie that she sells “stylish clothing for the modern woman, mostly Orthodox Jewish women.” The clothes – such as flowy tops and fun hats – appeal to anyone. Maggie picks up a nice scarf when she walks in.

She demonstrates that religion and sexuality are not mutually exclusive

“I just think it’s so cool how you’ve managed to hold onto your faith and sexuality,” Maggie tells Malkie at one point. In a single statement, Maggie puts a spotlight on a small community that has managed to do just that. For Kabakov, who grew up in a modern Orthodox environment, “I decided that I was going to be fine,” she said of her personal journey. “Nobody could take my Orthodoxy from me.”

Viewers are exposed to other aspects of Judaism

When Malkie runs into her ex-turned-BFF, Sarah, Sarah asks her if she’s going to the “spiritual spa.” Maggie, who doesn’t realize Sarah is referring to a mikvah, gets jealous imagining Malkie naked at a spa with her ex. This being TV, Maggie decides to follow them there and drags Liza along. When Maggie goes in – with her numerous tattoos on full display – one woman yells, “There’s a shiksa at the mikvah! Run!” The pandemonium that ensues is exaggerated for comedic effect but, for the most part, it gives the audience more information about a ritual they might not know much about.

“Younger” gets a lot right about being Orthodox and gay

For a half-hour sitcom with limited time to devote to this subplot, it’s impressive how many details the show gets right.

At times, the show misses the mark. When Maggie hosts a Shabbat dinner for Malkie’s friends, she buys kosher food and makes dishes like sweet potato latkes and lox crostini. Maggie’s kitchen isn’t kosher, however, so Malkie and her friends probably wouldn’t have been so nonchalant about eating off of her nice dishes –  she should have at least used paper plates and plastic utensils.

But the accuracies are far more important than the errors – and what “Younger” does is give readers a taste of this community.

CAP: On “Younger,” Maggie (Debi Mazar) (left) hosts a Shabbat dinner for her love interest, Malkie (Sally Pressman), and her friends. Photo courtesy of TV Land.