Jewish Humor Central is a daily publication to start your day with news of the Jewish world that's likely to produce a knowing smile and some Yiddishe nachas. It's also a collection of sources of Jewish humor--anything that brings a grin, chuckle, laugh, guffaw, or just a warm feeling to readers.
Our posts include jokes, satire, books, music, films, videos, food, Unbelievable But True, and In the News. Some are new, and some are classics. We post every morning, Sunday through Friday. Enjoy!
The explosion of Hanukkah music videos over the last few years has given us lots of parodies, spoofs, and mashups of American pop songs with new lyrics related to the miracle of Chanukah -- either the miracle of the oil lasting eight days or the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks. And much of it has been a cappella, without any musical instruments. Until this week we haven't seen much in the way of original music compositions or songs breaking out into other popular genres. One example is the country music song we posted yesterday.
Today we're posting a new romantic song, Hanukkah Lovin', composed and sung by Michelle Citrin to the accompaniment of an ensemble that includes a guitar, bass, drums, saxophone, and xylophone. It's what you might hear played in a jazz club on a Hanukkah evening date or sitting by the fire with that special person and a couple of glasses of red wine.
Some of the lyrics:
A little Hanukkah lovin' is what I need tonight Light a menorah and the moment is right... We'll smell of oil together tonight As we celebrate this festival of light. My latkes don't get cold when you're nearby And when I sing the blessings (off key) I'm less shy. One last latke before the night is done Out of all eight nights, baby, this is our one. The stars in the winter sky are shining above, Baby, I'm in love. Enjoy!
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Is this a Joke? Maybe it's just ME, but any song lyric that contains the words "bring me a WET TOWEL and a BROOM"........is certainly NOT my kind of "romance song"--Chanukah or not! This is just all-over-the-place as far as context AND content! It's attempt to mess-with-the genre' may be "modern and fresh" to some----but this left me nothing but Embarrassed for them! As a musical performer myself, I LOVE great music ,great singers and musicians----This,in my experience, is a definate thumbs-DOWN. sounds and looks like she's trying to knock-off "Santa-Baby" with a bissel Chanukah thrown in....... 8 LIGHTS OUT on this "Chanukah??"thing.....Sorry.
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Just Published: The Kustanowitz Kronikle - 35 Years of Purim Parody
Every Purim for the past 35 years we have published a Purim parody edition of The Kustanowitz Kronikle, covering virtually every aspect of Jewish life, and including parodies of hundreds of popular movies. This year we decided to retire the series and capture all the fun in a book that's just been published and is available at Amazon.com. It has every Purim issue of The Kustanowitz Kronikle from 1988 through 2022 in a full-color, full-size paperback book with hilarious headline stories and parody movie picks. Here are a few examples: TRUMP, NETANYAHU SWAP ROLES, COUNTRIES; NEW TALMUD VOLUME "VOTIN" FOUND IN IRAQ; JOINS "FRESSIN", "NAPPIN", TANTZEN","PATCHEN"; "JUDAICARE" PROGRAM PLANNED TO ENSURE THAT ALL JEWS HAVE SYNAGOGUE MEMBERSHIP; RABBIS CREATE TALMUD AMERICANI; NEW LAWS EXTEND HALACHA TO THANKSGIVING AND JULY 4; JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS WORLDWIDE UNITE TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING; FOCUS ON REDUCING HOT AIR; RABBIS TO REQUIRE SHECHITA FOR MANY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Jewish Humor Central Staff
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief:
Al Kustanowitz Food and Wine Editor:
Aviva Weinberg Israel Food and Wine Consultant Penina Kustanowitz Reporter and Photographer:
Meyer Berkowitz Reporter Phyllis Flancbaum
Now You Can Book Program and Lecture Dates for 2024 and 2025 in Person and Via ZOOM
Now is the time to book our Jewish humor programs and lectures for your 2024 and 2025 events in person and via ZOOM anywhere in the world. Book any of our 22 popular programs including "The Great Jewish Comedians", “Israel is a Funny Country”, and "Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places." Click above for details and videos. To book a program with Al, e-mail: dan@hudakonhollywood.com
"Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places" is now available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle editions
This book presents 150 anecdotes and associated video clips that reveal the myriad ways that Jewish culture, religion, humor, music, song, and dance have found expression in parts of the world that, at first glance, might not seem supportive of Jewish Life. It includes 50 videos of Hava Nagila being performed from Texas to Thailand, from India to Iran, and from Buenos Aires to British Columbia. Also highlighted are 34 international versions of Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, Adon Olam, Abanibi, and Tumbalalaika. Whether you’re reading the print version and typing in the video URLs or reading the e-book version and clicking on the links, you’ll have access to 150 video clips totaling more than 10 hours of video. Enjoy!
"Israel is a Funny Country" is now available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle editions
This book explores the multifaceted nature of humor in Israel, some of which is intentional and some of which is unintentional. Either way, the quirks of Israeli life contribute to making that life interesting and fulfilling. In the pages of this volume, we take a look at humorous slices of Israeli life, Israeli comedy, satire and parody, funny TV commercials, unusual stories about food, surprising rabbinic bans on daily activities, simchas as they can only be celebrated in Israel, and endearing aspects of Israeli culture. There are more than 120 anecdotes and links to video clips totaling more than six hours of video. We hope that these anecdotes and video clips give you a new and different insight into life in Israel, and encourage you to join in the fun by planning a visit to the land flowing with milk and honey.
Now is the time to book our Jewish Humor Shows and Lectures in person or on ZOOM.
Bring Al's Jewish humor lectures and comedy programs with the funniest videos on the Internet to your community and your synagogue, club, JCC, organization or private event in person or via ZOOM. We're taking reservations now for 2024 and 2025 dates in your community. Click above for details. To book a program with Al, e-mail: dan@hudakonhollywood.com.
Now Open: The Jewish Humor Central Gift Shop
Jewish Humor Central logo merchandise is now available. Click on the image above to see the complete collection -- More than 100 items from tote bags, baseball caps, mugs, aprons, drinkware, T-shirts and sweatshirts, to pajamas and underwear.
The Best of Jewish Humor Central - Now Available in eBook and Paperback at Amazon.com
The Best of Jewish Humor Central - More than 400 video clips, including music and comedy videos for all the Jewish holidays. View them on Your PC, Mac, Kindle Fire, iPad, iPhone, iTouch, Android Tablet and Smartphone. Click on the image above to peek inside and download a free sample. And now, a paperback edition for anyone who prefers a traditional book and doesn't mind typing the URLs instead of clicking on them.
About the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
A long-term devotee of Jewish humor, Al Kustanowitz has been collecting and sharing it even before there was an internet. In 2009, after a 36-year career at IBM managing new technology projects, he founded Jewish Humor Central (jewishhumorcentral.com. Through the blog he brings a daily dose of fun and positive energy to readers who would otherwise start the day reading news that is often drab, dreary, and depressing (subscribing is free). He has published 12 books on humor based on his more than 4,000 blog postings, each of which includes a video clip and his commentary.
He has presented more than 100 programs in South Florida and the Northeast on topics that include the great comedians and entertainers of the 20th century, funniest moments in film and television, flash mobs around the world, and composers and lyricists of the Great American Songbook.
He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the City University of New York and taught computer science courses at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the International Association of Yiddish Clubs.
You can contact Al via email at akustan@gmail.com.
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Wow!
ReplyDeleteWhat a voice.
My new favorite Hanukkah song.
Lowell, KY
Totally agree
DeleteGod BLess
Heather Gentz
still like the country Hanukkah best,
ReplyDeleteFrank
Everett, WA.
Is this a Joke? Maybe it's just ME, but any song lyric that contains the words "bring me a WET TOWEL and a BROOM"........is certainly NOT my kind of "romance song"--Chanukah or not! This is just all-over-the-place as far as context AND content! It's attempt to mess-with-the genre' may be "modern and fresh" to some----but this left me nothing but Embarrassed for them! As a musical performer myself, I LOVE great music ,great singers and musicians----This,in my experience, is a definate thumbs-DOWN. sounds and looks like she's trying to knock-off "Santa-Baby" with a bissel Chanukah thrown in....... 8 LIGHTS OUT on this "Chanukah??"thing.....Sorry.
ReplyDeleteoh get off it!!!! I too am a composer and she pulled this off nicely...even with the wet towel and broom added. Great vocals.
DeleteGod Bless
Heather Gents