A Stranger Among Us

Emily Eden

Levine

Mara

Rebbe

Leah

Nick

Yaakov

Mendel

Mr. Klausman

Mrs. Klausman

Lt. Oliver

Detective Tedford (as Ed Rogers III)

Detective Marden

Tony Baldessari

Chris Baldessari (as Chris Collins)

Emily's Father

French Rebbe

French Rebbitzen

Shayna

Yiddish Woman #1

Yiddish Woman #2

File Room Clerk (as James Lovelett)

Zap Goon

Paramedic

Cantor

Inspector

Klausman Son (as Alexander Pasmur Jr.)

Yussel

Rebbe's Assistant

Mugger (uncredited)

Chosid in Wedding and Funeral Scene (uncredited)

Rebbe's Advisor (uncredited)

James Gandolfini's film/television debut.

This movie was used as the primary example of filmmaking on-set in Sidney Lumet's book "Making Movies" as he was shooting it at the time of writing.

At the Sabbath meal the assembled group dances to a "niggun" (wordless melody) that is traditional among Lubavitch Chassidim. It is usually sung as a preparation to one of the Rebbe's discourses being repeated from memory, though; not as a slow circle-dance.

The Ariel character has a neatly trimmed and partially shaved beard, while explaining payes (side curls). Ultra-Orthodox Jews do not shave any part of their beard or neck.

The position of Melanie's handbag when she visits her father.

The shot of the newsstand shows the Israeli newspaper "Ma'ariv". The movie takes place in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, home mainly to Chassidim of the Satmar dynasty who have been extremely anti-Zionist since the mid 20th century and probably not customers of "Zionist entity" publications. Also, the English-Jewish paper "The Jewish Press" is on display. Since Yiddish is the first language of most Williamsburg chassidim the main papers on display should be in the Yiddish language; Der Yid and/or Der Blatt are the preferred reads.

Ariel: [Emily wants him to respond to her kiss] I can't!

Shayna: It's in the Kabbalah. Women understand the world better than men do. And that is why they weep more often.

Ariel: I got a hot flash for you. Sex is nice.