Singer/Songwriter of "Superman (It's Not Easy)" Rededicates Song to Gaza Hostages

Singer/Songwriter John Ondrasik released his hit song Superman (It's Not Easy) in 2001 and it quickly became an anthem for first responders, men and women in uniform, and the broken everyday people working to heal our country from the 9/11 attack.

Now, 24 years later, Ondrasik, who is better known by his stage name, Five for Fighting, has written an op-ed for the Wall Street Journal explaining how the song has found a second life dedicated to Alon Ohel and the other hostages being held in captivity in the tunnels of Gaza.

Ondrasik, who is not Jewish but is married to Jewish executive producer Carla Berkowitz – with whom he has two children, writes:

I turned to “Superman,” hoping to remind the world that the hostages are people, not statistics. They are brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, husbands and wives. Music would bring out this shared humanity after the Jewish people experienced their worst trauma since the Holocaust, just like music uplifted an America shattered by 9/11. 

In this video Ondrasik collaborates with current hostage Alon Ohel’s mother Idit, brother Ronen, and family and friends with this new version of Superman to support Alon and all hostages and their families. 

Comedian and Actor Michael Rapaport Skewers Hollywood and Oscars in Eretz Nehederet Skit

Last month comedian and actor Michael Rapaport appeared on Israeli TV in Eretz Nehederet (sometimes known as Israel's Saturday Night Live) in an English language skit satirizing the hypocrisy of Hollywood stars and their silence regarding the Hamas attacks of October 7.

As Jessica Steinberg wrote in The Times of Israel,

As he cracks jokes at the celebrities for not denouncing the Hamas-led onslaught in which Palestinian terrorists killed some 1,200 people and took 253 hostages, the camera pans the audience, showing the familiar actors, directors and faces of the Oscars ceremony crowd, using footage from previous awards shows.

He introduced several new categories to the awards show, starting with “best actor who has made millions playing a stereotypical neurotic Jew with back hair yet still won’t show some solidarity.” The nominees were Seth Rogen, Adam Sandler and Larry David.

He also took a shot at female actors who were vocal supporters of the MeToo and Time’s Up movements against sexual assault but don’t advocate for female hostages abused by Hamas terrorists.

Enjoy!

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

On Day 108 of Gaza Hostage Crisis, Shulem Lemmer Performs at Anshei Emuna in Delray Beach

We've become big fans of Shulem Lemmer after spending a Shabbat with him in Delray Beach a couple of years ago when he was the star of a concert at Anshei Emuna Congregation.

Shulem Lemmer is the most recent rising star of the Jewish musical tradition that has been intertwined in the life, faith, and culture of the Jewish people throughout their history. Whether it's prayers, psalms, or contemporary classics, this youthful Brooklyn tenor finds in music something rich and affirming, an endeavor that makes the soul soar and the spirit rise and speaks to the human condition. 

Shulem is as comfortable with Broadway and Hollywood tunes as he is with Chassidic music. As we continue to focus on the challenges that Israel faces in Gaza, let's apply the sentiments expressed in When You Believe -- a hope that all soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces accomplish their mission and bring the hostages home safely.

Shulem will be performing live in concert again at Anshei Emuna Congregation in Delray Beach, Florida tonight. We'll be there and if you're planning to be in South Florida in January, we'll see you there. 

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.

The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict - A New Perspective

Since the October 7 brutal attack by Hamas on the kibbutzim near the Gaza strip, we've been adjusting our daily posts to focus less on jokes and funny stuff, and more on educational videos and music videos with prayers for Israel and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

We are hopeful that we will soon be back to happy times, but in the meantime we will be posting more thoughtful, educational, and prayerful videos.

Today we are sharing a rather lengthy video (28 minutes) by Oren, a professional Israeli tour guide whose post offers a new perspective on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In his video, Oren clearly explains the history of the conflict with facts and challenges anyone who differs with him to provide facts that contradict what he is saying.

It's a message that in the five days since its posting has been viewed almost 3 million times. We urge you to share it widely.

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.