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 song Lecha Dodi is a central part of the Friday night synagogue service of all Jewish denominations all over the world. With all of the services that we've attended over the years, we thought we'd heard them all. And we probably have. But musical talent is emerging in places that we haven't attended.
The Internet and YouTube have been instrumental in introducing new music to people who otherwise would not have been exposed to it. In looking for video clips to share with you in welcoming Shabbat each Friday, we discovered this new one that premiered last year at the Central Synagogue in Manhattan. It was composed by Elana Arian, who plays the guitar and sings it together with Associate Cantor Julia Cadrain and Senior Rabbi Angela Buchdahl. Enjoy and Shabbat Shalom!
Sorry, but as a traditional Jew. I find this whole thing sick. Greeting the Shabbat by blatantly transgressing the laws of Shabbat with musical instruments and microphones would be laughable if it wasn't so tragic. And these women posing as Rabbis, sad.
I am a fundamentally traditional 70+ year old and am still getting used to female rabbis and chazanim some of whom are as mixed in quality as are their male counterparts. But what makes me sad is that someone with the brave openness of calling him/herself "Anonymous" can label as "sick" a lovely piece of Jewish tradition while some so-called traditional Jews and their leaders act as if there is but one truth and in the teeth of God's teachings and requirements fail to respect differences between people of genuine faith especially our own. We are all suffering because of what is happening between peoples of other faiths and teachings with differences of practices and beliefs. We should try to be different. This was an appealing rendition of Lchah Dodi. The presentation was neither sad nor tragic and compared more than well with the males who oppress women and pretend to be orthodox while behaving disgustingly both morally and financially to the detriment of traditional Judaism.
I agree with the comments of Richard Henry, the criticism of the clergy and singing by Anonymous is absurd. Central Synagogue is fortunate to have some of the most engaging, smartest and talented clergy in the country.
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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
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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!
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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.
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About the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
Al Kustanowitz, Jewish Humor Central's Publisher and Editor-in-Chief, has collected Jewish humor even before there was an internet. For the last 25 years he has been editor and publisher of The Kustanowitz Kronikle.
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So blessed to a member of Central Synagogue
ReplyDeleteSorry, but as a traditional Jew. I find this whole thing sick. Greeting the Shabbat by blatantly transgressing the laws of Shabbat with musical instruments and microphones would be laughable if it wasn't so tragic. And these women posing as Rabbis, sad.
ReplyDeleteI am a fundamentally traditional 70+ year old and am still getting used to female rabbis and chazanim some of whom are as mixed in quality as are their male counterparts. But what makes me sad is that someone with the brave openness of calling him/herself "Anonymous" can label as "sick" a lovely piece of Jewish tradition while some so-called traditional Jews and their leaders act as if there is but one truth and in the teeth of God's teachings and requirements fail to respect differences between people of genuine faith especially our own. We are all suffering because of what is happening between peoples of other faiths and teachings with differences of practices and beliefs. We should try to be different. This was an appealing rendition of Lchah Dodi. The presentation was neither sad nor tragic and compared more than well with the males who oppress women and pretend to be orthodox while behaving disgustingly both morally and financially to the detriment of traditional Judaism.
ReplyDeleteA great musical arrangement for the Shabbat of songs.
ReplyDeleteAny way we greet Shabath, it pleases God
ReplyDeleteI am also pleased as well
I agree with the comments of Richard Henry, the criticism of the clergy and singing by Anonymous is absurd. Central Synagogue is fortunate to have some of the most engaging, smartest and talented clergy in the country.
ReplyDelete