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!
Phil Foster (1913-1985)was born in Brooklyn, New York as Fivel Feldman. He took his stage name's
surname from Foster Avenue in Brooklyn.
He had his first taste of
performing when he was a child, when he and his pals began singing and
dancing in front of movie theatres. Then he began appearing in amateur
shows, competing for prizes. With him on occasion was another beginner
named Jackie Gleason.
At the height of the Great Depression,
he started in the dramatic field, playing in halls, back rooms and
wherever possible during a period when theatres weren't available. "We
did all sorts of plays, including all of Clifford Odets' early works — for $28 to $35 a week, living three in a room eating — if there was any food around," he recalled.
Foster made his debut as a night club comic in Chicago in the late 1930s when he was pushed out on the floor suddenly to fill in for a stand-up comic.
"I just got up and talked," he says. "I didn't know you were supposed
to have an act. But I was offered the job at $125 a week."
He always intended to go back to acting, but, staying with the money,
he rapidly made a reputation in night clubs and found himself in
constant demand from New York to Birmingham to Seattle.
During World War II, Foster served in the United States Army.
Upon his discharge, he returned to New York and become a variety show
favorite with an act comprising stories based on his curious childhood
in Brooklyn.
During the 1950s Foster made several comedy short subjects for Universal-International as "Brooklyn's Ambassador to the World". Because of his popularity he was chosen by George Pal to be one of the military space crewman on a trip to Mars in Conquest of Space.
It was Garry Marshall, an old friend whom he helped get started as a comedy writer for Joey Bishop and other entertainers, who lured him again to Hollywood, first to appear in The Odd Couple and then to co-star in Laverne & Shirley.
Here's Phil Foster telling the funniest joke he ever heard.
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If you'll be in Florida in February, be sure to attend Al's 90 minute program on the Great Jewish Comedians. This presentation is a follow-up to last year's sold out program and will highlight 15 more of the funniest and most beloved nightclub and television skits performed by the great Jewish comedians of the century and little known facts and anecdotes about their careers. CLICK ON THE PHOTO FOR DETAILS.
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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
Contact the Jewish Speakers Bureau Now to Book Program and Lecture Dates for 2019 and 2020
Now is the time to book our Jewish humor programs and lectures for your 2019 and 2020 events in South Florida and the Northeast. Book any of our 20 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, contact www.JewishSpeakersBureau.com.
BUY OUR LATEST BOOK IN PAPERBACK AND GET THE KINDLE VERSION (E-BOOK) FREE!
Buy our latest book "Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places" from Amazon in paperback for $9.95 and Amazon will offer you the Kindle (e-book) version free of charge. You can read the Kindle (e-book) on any computer, tablet, or smart phone with a Kindle reader that you can download free from Amazon. You can give the print version as a gift and keep the Kindle version for yourself. The 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!
Buy "Israel is a Funny Country" and Amazon will give you a free copy of the Kindle edition
Amazon.com is running a promotion of the Kindle Edition of our book, "Israel is a Funny Country." If you buy the paperback edition, Amazon will give you the Kindle edition free under their MatchBook program. After you order the book, return to the book page and click on Kindle Edition. The price will change from $2.99 to $0.00. Amazon offers free Kindle reading apps so you can read any Kindle book on your PC, Mac, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android smartphone.
Now is the time to book our Jewish Humor Shows and Lectures for your synagogue, JCC, or club.
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. We're taking reservations now for February 2018 dates in Florida and 2017 and 2018 dates in your community . Click above for details. To book a program, contact www.JewishSpeakersBureau.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.
Add Laughter to Your Purim Celebration. Order Now From Amazon.com.
The Kustanowitz Kronikle - 25 Purim newsletters from 1988 to 2012 filled with parody, satire, and spoofs. Available now from Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.. A great gift for the hosts of your Purim Seudah.
Booking a Comedy Show? Contact the Jewish Speakers Bureau at JewishSpeakersBureau.com
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
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.
Al is a member of the Jewish Speakers Bureau.
Want to contact us? Just send email to akustan@gmail.com.
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