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!
Today is Purim. Many of us listened to the reading of Megillat Esther last night in synagogues of all denominatioins and in many locations. Today the Megillah is read once again and the day features sharing of food items with friends (Mishloach Manot) and gifts to the poor (Matanot L'Evionim). On Shabbat, the day before Purim, Rabbi Diana Fersko of the Stephen Wise Free Synagogue delivered a sermon that included reflections on Jewish humor in general, and the role of humor on Purim.
Rabbi Fersko received her ordination from Hebrew Union College –
Jewish Institute of Religion in New York City where she was the
recipient of numerous awards for academic excellence. She also holds a
master’s degree in Hebrew Literature. During the short sermon, she tells a few old and familiar Jewish jokes, and advises to spend Purim emoting, singing, clapping, and laughing. She notes that the Talmud says that God himself dedicates specific time each day to laughter and joy, and encourages us to follow that example. Happy Purim to everyone! A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:
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Her comparing Breitbart to a Nazi newspaper is offensive, trivializes the Holocaust, and is outright wrong. Tevi Troy, a Jew placed very high in the Trump administration, wrote in the Wall St Journal earlier this week on how wrong her analogy is. She should read it.
Mickey, I agree with you. I posted Tevi Troy's column, with my approving comments, on my Facebook page on the day the WSJ printed it. I posted her short sermon only as another voice on the origins and practice of Jewish humor, and to please my readers who ask for more jokes all the time. While I disagree with her political perspective, I don't expect anything else from a liberal New York rabbi. Let all voices be heard, as they were in November.
"I met the author of this article in a Maryland shul a few years ago. His Purim Shpiel advice is right on target. So are most of the 52 comments on his WSJ column. And to lighten up with more Purim fun, check out the Purim Edition of The Kustanowitz Kronikle at www.kustanowitz.com/kronpu17.pdf and at www.jewishhumorcentral.com. Chag sameach to all!"
Did she mean to write a "Purim Shpiel" ? In which case it should be approved by everyone. We are so lucky to live in a free country where we can all voice our opinion. Second best to our homeland: Israel.
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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 2025 and 2026 in Person and Via ZOOM
Now is the time to book our Jewish humor programs and lectures for your 2025 and 2026 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 2025 and 2026 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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Her comparing Breitbart to a Nazi newspaper is offensive, trivializes the Holocaust, and is outright wrong. Tevi Troy, a Jew placed very high in the Trump administration, wrote in the Wall St Journal earlier this week on how wrong her analogy is. She should read it.
ReplyDeleteMickey, I agree with you. I posted Tevi Troy's column, with my approving comments, on my Facebook page on the day the WSJ printed it. I posted her short sermon only as another voice on the origins and practice of Jewish humor, and to please my readers who ask for more jokes all the time. While I disagree with her political perspective, I don't expect anything else from a liberal New York rabbi. Let all voices be heard,
Deleteas they were in November.
"I met the author of this article in a Maryland shul a few years ago. His Purim Shpiel advice is right on target. So are most of the 52 comments on his WSJ column.
And to lighten up with more Purim fun, check out the Purim Edition of The Kustanowitz Kronikle at www.kustanowitz.com/kronpu17.pdf and at www.jewishhumorcentral.com. Chag sameach to all!"
She is very well spoken, a nice smile while delivering her message.
ReplyDeleteDid she mean to write a "Purim Shpiel" ? In which case it should be approved by everyone.
ReplyDeleteWe are so lucky to live in a free country where we can all voice our opinion.
Second best to our homeland: Israel.
DIDN'T ENJOY THIS AT ALL.....NO CHARISMA, BORING VOICE, GLAD I DON'T HAVE TO LISTEN TO HER.
ReplyDelete