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!
Last Tuesday we attended a
performance of Maestro, a tribute to the music and life of Leonard Bernstein
at the 59E59 theater in Manhattan. It's a one-man show by Hershey Felder, the
Canadian pianist, actor, playwright, composer, producer, and director. A few months ago we saw him at
Town Hall in a one-man show portraying the music and life of Irving Berlin.
Both performances were sold out and Felder received a well-deserved standing
ovation. In both productions, for an hour and forty-five minutes, without an
intermission, Felder transformed himself into these musical legends with a
sense of humor and respect for their musical achievements.
We later learned that he has
also performed similar shows as Chopin, Beethoven, and Gershwin.
In Maestro, Felder
emphasized Bernstein's strong Jewish background and its influence on his works.
This included his father's attempts to steer him away from music and toward
study of Talmud, and his composing the Jeremiah Symphony, excerpts of
which he played onstage with a backdrop of the Hebrew text of Eicha
(Lamentations), the book which is read in the synagogue on Tisha B'Av.
In the production, Felder shows
the many sides of Leonard Bernstein and expresses his sadness that despite his
desire to be known as a composer of classical music, his work in the popular
sphere insured that he is remembered most as a conductor and the composer of West
Side Story.
Below is a video clip of Felder
as Bernstein reflecting on the composition of Maria from West Side
Story.
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A Message From Al Kustanowitz About FAU OLLI Lectures
A video greeting to all past, present, and future patrons of Florida Atlantic University’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute in Boca Raton. The University is making Al's presentation of The Great Jewish Entertainers available online until June 30 as it transitions from live lectures in the 550 seat auditorium to video lectures accessible at home on computer screens, laptops, and smart phones. To register for this lecture click on this link and follow instructions to obtain a Patron ID. The fee for this lecture is $35 and membership in FAU OLLI is not required.
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 2021 Via ZOOM
Now is the time to book our Jewish humor programs and lectures for your 2021 events via ZOOM anywhere in the world. 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 Al at akustan@gmail.com or 201-390-7535.
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 shul, JCC, or club 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 via ZOOM. We're taking reservations now for 2021 dates in your community. Click above for details. To book a program, contact Al at akustan@gmail.com or 201-390-7535.
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.
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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terrific
ReplyDeleteHershey Felder is outstanding in portraying the music and life of Leonard Bernstein.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this part of the performance.