The Partridge Family - Season 4, Episode 17 (91)

Title: Danny Converts

First aired: February 9, 1974

Synopsis:
Danny is in the seventh grade and doesn’t want his pals to know his mum drives him to school. One day he meets his school friend, Punky Lazaar, outside the school. Punky asks Danny about a new girl, a very pretty brunette. Danny knows her, they attend the same English class and he bet with Punky that he would go for a date with that girl, Renee.

At the class the teacher asks who can’t go for a school field trip because of a Jewish holiday on the same day. When Danny sees Renee raise her hand, he does the same.

Danny pretends to be Jewish, attends the Purim Bazaar in celebration of the holiday, but of course he doesn’t know anything about the religion and Jewish customs. He even doesn’t know he should wear a yarmulke during the celebration. He meets Renee’s father, Rabbi Stern, who is very glad to meet Danny and would like to meet his family too.

Danny returns home with the yarmulke on his head and hides it at the last moment. Renee calls him to say that her father is visiting some families in the neighborhood, and he would probably drop by to meet the Partridges. Danny is terrified and tries to convince his family to leave the house, go bowling, whatever. Meanwhile Keith finds the yarmulke and Danny has to tell him everything and begs for his help.

Shirley is very surprised by Rabbi Stern's visit and even more when she learns that Danny has celebrated a Jewish holiday. Shirley agrees that the Partridge Family will perform at the temple for the benefit of underprivileged children. When he leaves Shirley demands explanations from Danny. He tells her about taking part in the Purim Bazaar and telling Rabbi Stern about their career in show business.

On Thursday night the Partridges perform in the temple and after that they take part in a reception. Laurie tells her mother she has a feeling everybody thinks they are Jewish. Rabbi thanks the family for their performance and he also tells everybody how he is looking forward to Danny's bar mitzvah, coming of age ritual. At home Shirley tells Danny that he had no right to take part in Jewish holiday and tells him to apologize to the Rabbi and his family and explain everything.

Danny goes to the Rabbi's house, but he can’t bring himself to tell the truth, and to make matters worse, Mrs Stern invites the Partridges for dinner. Shirley is angry with Danny that he is such a coward. At the dinner, Danny finally tells the Rabbi that they are not Jewish, and he only wanted to go on a date with Renee. Rabbi Stern laughs and says the Partridges are very welcome and he is happy that the Stern family has made new good friends.
Written by Weronika Cyrynger

Songs:
I Heard You Singing Your Song

Cast:
Shirley Partridge - Shirley Jones
Keith Partridge - David Cassidy
Laurie Partridge - Susan Dey
Danny Partridge - Danny Bonaduce
Chris Partridge - Brian Forster
Tracy Partridge - Suzanne Crough
Reuben Kincaid - Dave Madden

Directed by: Richard Kinon

Written by: Dick Bensfield and Perry Grant

Guest Stars: Noam Pitlik as Rabbi Ben Stern, Lark Geib as Renee Stern, Gary Durbin as Punky Lazaar

Screen Shots: