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!
Every December, Voices of Liberty, the resident a cappella singing group at The
American Adventure at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center gives a two minute nod to Hanukkah by singing a short
medley including I Have a Little Dreidel and Hevenu Shalom Aleichem.
The singing is exactly the same every year, down
to the short introduction to the medley and the Dickens caroling costumes.
But what did you expect? Spontaneity? It is Disney, after all, and
Jewish visitors will likely be pleased at the inclusion of some blue and
white in the otherwise red and green holiday festivities.
This video, recorded last week in Florida, is the conclusion of our annual Hanukkah video series. Tomorrow we'll be back with our usual mix of Jewish humor, music, nostalgia, and Yiddishe nachas.
While making this video in the streets of New York City, New Yorkers from all walks of life joined in. Written by the legendary Stephen Schwartz (of Wicked fame), this anthem captures the spirit of Chanukah.
It is sung by Cantors Azi Schwartz and Mira Davis of the Park Avenue Synagogue and the New York City Children's Chorus.
The Jewish Amsterdam Chamber Ensemble is Europe's only professional Jewish orchestra. It performs regularly in Amsterdam's Royal Concertgebouw.
Chaim Stern
was born in 1996 to a renowned family of cantors in Jerusalem, with a
long-standing tradition in cantorial music. He grew up in a Haredi
environment in Beit Shemesh, Jerusalem, and Be'er Ya'akov. Chaim studied
cantorial music at the Cantorial School in Petah Tikva and is
considered one of the leading students of Maestro Eli Jaffe and Cantor Israel Rand.
Since 2020, Chaim has served as the Chief Cantor of the Great Synagogue in Munich.
In addition, he regularly performs in Jewish communities around the
world and in major synagogues in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Ramat Gan, as
well as in the United States, Australia, and Europe.
As we welcome Shabbat and light the sixth Chanukah candle, let's listen to Chaim Stern and the Jewish Amsterdam Chamber Ensemble sing Al Hanissim.
The Miami Boys Choir was founded in Miami in 1977 by Yerachmiel Begun,
a well-known Jewish composer and musician at the forefront of the
Orthodox pop genre.
Begun, a native New Yorker, moved the
whole operation to New York City in 1980. MBC concerts are major events
in the Jewish community, and in 1995 the group made Jewish music history when 15,000 people attended one of their shows at Nassau Coliseum.
Chananya Begun says his father composes all of the group’s
songs – more than 500 and counting, including 32 full-length albums.
In this video the Miami Boys Choir sings Chanukah Nights. Enjoy!
Every year Epcot Center at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida celebrates Hanukkah as part of its Festival of the Holidays.
This year Hanukkah Storyteller Zachary dramatized the Hanukkah story and illustrated it with a medley of traditional songs including the Ladino song Ocho Candelas as sung in Argentina.
This presentation started on November 28 and will continue until December 30.
Dancing with the Stars recently featured its first-ever Hanukkah-themed dance in a holiday special, choreographed by Jewish pro Alan Bersten to Matisyahu's "Miracle", incorporating menorahs, dreidels, and hora steps for a powerful moment of Jewish representation that resonated with viewers.
Bersten, along with fellow Jewish dancer Val Chmerkovskiy
and other pros, created the routine to make Jewish kids feel seen and
proud, receiving praise as a milestone for the show's history.
The dance included spinning oversized dreidels, formations resembling a menorah, and steps inspired by Jewish folk dances and Fiddler on the Roof.
IDF Rabbinate Band, officially known as the IDF Military Rabbinate Choir (or Ensemble), is a musical group that is part of the IDF Orchestra and the Military Rabbinate.
It primarily performs at military ceremonies and events to strengthen
the connection of soldiers, especially religious ones, to Jewish life
and culture.
The
ensemble performs at various military functions, such as swearing-in
and track-ending ceremonies, particularly in combat units with a high
percentage of religious soldiers and commanders. It also visits wounded
soldiers in hospitals to lift spirits.
The band maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where videos of their performances, including covers and holiday-themed medleys, are shared.
Yesterday they posted a medley of songs to celebrate the first night of Chanukah.
Hila Ben David is an internationally acclaimed vocalist whose powerful voice transforms ancient prayers into contemporary soul-stirring music. Bridging the gap between Celine Dion-style vocals and spiritual Jewish melodies, she creates a unique sonic experience that resonates with audiences across 191 countries.
Following a profound spiritual awakening in 2020, Ben David embarked on a bold musical journey, reimagining traditional prayers through modern arrangements. Her distinctive blend of pop vocal prowess and sacred texts has earned her millions of organic views and a devoted global following.
Often compared to Enya and Celine Dion, her music serves as a bridge between worlds - where contemporary pop meets timeless wisdom and personal prayer meets universal emotions.
Each song is crafted as a spiritual experience, designed to open hearts and elevate souls through the power of music.
Let's join Hila in welcoming the first candle of Chanukah with the traditional song Maoz Tzur.
We've been following Elon Gold and posting some of his shtick on Jewish Humor Central for the last 13 years.
Elon is an American comedian, television actor, writer and producer. He starred in
the television series Stacked. He also starred in the short-lived
sitcom In-Laws.
Known for his impressions, including those of Jeff
Goldblum, Howard Stern and Jay Leno, Gold was a judge on
the ABC celebrity impersonation competition series The Next Best Thing.
Gold was also in the movie Cheaper by the Dozen as a cameraman from the
Oprah Winfrey show.
Gold attended the Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck, NY
and the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (MTA)/Yeshiva University High School
for Boys in Manhattan, NY. He is a practicing Orthodox Jew.
Today
we're sharing a video clip of Gold on stage at The Laugh Factor in Los Angeles in a short bit about explaining the Hanukkah holiday to his non-Jewish friends.
Today is the 8th and last day of Hanukkah. After posting Broadway, Hollywood, and pop versions of familiar Chanukah songs, we think it's only fair to present a medley of traditional songs in a classical style.
Thanks to a symphonic mashup of five festive Hanukkah songs arranged by Bill Holcombe, the Beaufort Symphony Orchestra of Beaufort, South Carolina under the direction of Fred Devyatkin, recently performed this work for our enjoyment.
Noa Tishby is an Israeli activist, actress, model,
producer, and writer. As an actress, she appeared in a variety of
American television shows and movies, including The Affair, The Island,
Nip/Tuck, Big Love, NCIS, and others.
Tishby was born in Tel Aviv, Israel in May 1975 into a Jewish family involved in the establishment of Israel. The kibbutz
her grandfather co-founded was among the first in Israel's history.
Tishby began acting at an early age, appearing in commercials by age 8.
As a teenager, she earned a drama scholarship from the Tel Aviv Museum
of Art and acted in several stage productions and television shows. She
also served two and a half years in the Israel Defense Forces.
Tishby also focuses on Zionist activism, founding the advocacy
organization Act for Israel in 2011. In 2021, she published her first
book, Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth.
She served as the Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism and the
Delegitimization of Israel for one year, from 2022 to 2023.
This
year Tishby has been posting a video each night of Chanukah in which
she lights the menorah with another celebrity while discussing elements
of their Jewish background.
On the second night of Hanukkah Noa Tishby was joined by actress Mila Kunis, who was born in Ukraine, where she and her family had to hide most of their Jewish identity.
It wasn’t until she moved to the U.S. and started a family that she began to reconnect with Judaism. Join them as we watch them light the candles together—and even get a little help from Ashton Kutcher over the phone!
On the first night of Chanukah this year on the Ellipse across from the White House, the National Menorah Orchestra and the “8th Day Band” performed a medley of popular Chanukah songs at the National Menorah Lighting in Washington D.C.
The event was hosted by American Friends of Lubavitch.
Noa Tishby is an Israeli activist, actress, model,
producer, and writer. As an actress, she appeared in a variety of
American television shows and movies, including The Affair, The Island,
Nip/Tuck, Big Love, NCIS, and others.
Tishby was born in Tel Aviv, Israel in May 1975 into a Jewish family involved in the establishment of Israel. The kibbutz her grandfather co-founded was among the first in Israel's history. Tishby began acting at an early age, appearing in commercials by age 8. As a teenager, she earned a drama scholarship from the Tel Aviv Museum of Art and acted in several stage productions and television shows. She also served two and a half years in the Israel Defense Forces.
Tishby also focuses on Zionist activism, founding the advocacy
organization Act for Israel in 2011. In 2021, she published her first
book, Israel: A Simple Guide to the Most Misunderstood Country on Earth. She served as the Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism and the Delegitimization of Israel for one year, from 2022 to 2023.
This year Tishby has been posting a video each night of Chanukah in which she lights the menorah with another celebrity while discussing elements of their Jewish background. We'll backtrack to the first night of Chanukah when she appeared together with actress Gwyneth Paltrow and then to the next few nights with different guests.
Today is the first day of Chanukah, and if you are lucky to be basking in Florida's warmth at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center, you can see a live performance of Peter Yarrow's Light One Candle by the Voices of Liberty in the rotunda of the American Adventure Pavilion.
The Voices of Liberty have been performing this song as part of their celebration of December holidays. Dates and times of performance vary, so check the Disney schedule to be sure they're singing when you're there.
Here's a performance that was recorded earlier this month at Epcot.
Tonight we light the first Chanukah candle as we welcome the annual Festival of Lights into our homes.
On February 13, stars of Broadway and the Jewish world gave us a preview of this hopeful season by combining the candle lighting with the song Tomorrow from the musical Annie.
The songs were performed in the New York theater district while walking on Broadway and in Times Square by Julie Benko (Broadway’s “Funny Girl” and
“Harmony”) and Cantor Azi Schwartz of Park Avenue Synagogue with a
chorus of Broadway talent.
It's a timely juxtaposition of two themes that combine to give us hope as we enter a new era of American optimism.
The Y-Studs are an all-male Jewish a cappella group, originally from Yeshiva University. They started as a club in 2010, and have since grown beyond the collegiate level to the professional stage.
Before anything else, they're a group of college students and young professionals who love making music together.
They pride themselves on both their energy and their depth, and are extremely deliberate about the music they choose, ensuring every song has both uniquely Jewish undertones and a universally resonant message.
In this new video, the Y-Studs perform a medley of songs with the Motown sound made popular by the Jackson 5 with a unique Chanukah twist.
Meir
Kalmanson has been posting funny Jewish videos on YouTube under the
name Meir Kay. An Orthodox Jewish filmmaker from Brooklyn, his aim is to
spread "happiness and positivity."
In
this video Meir, inspired by Billy Eichner's Billy in the Street For a Dollar street interviews, approaches random strangers walking the streets of New York City in December 2022, and offers them a free donut if they can answer his trivia questions about Chanukah.
We've been posting versions of Hebrew liturgical and popular songs by Yonina (Yoni and Nina Tokayer, a married musical duo who live in the small town of Pardes Chana, Israel.)
They have been uploading home videos to Facebook and YouTube and reaching millions.
Just in time for Chanukah, Yoni and Nina posted a Hebrew translation of the song Be a Light, written in English by Rabbi Neal Katz, rabbi of Congregation Beth El in Tyler, Texas.
Rabbi Katz has released three CDs of his original Jewish music. His
songs have become popular in congregations, camps, and Religious Schools
around the country. In 2009, Neal also released a folk-music CD, and in
2010, he was a finalist in the Kerrville Musical Festival's New Folk
Contest. The website for his music can be found at KatzMusic.com.
In
addition to his musical travels in the States, when Neal travels
abroad, he likes to share his music with member congregations in the
World Union for Progressive Judaism. Neal has been honored to share his
music and help lead Shabbat worship services at Progressive Jewish
congregations in Warsaw, Paris, Prague, Budapest, London, St.
Petersburg, and Copenhagen.
With so many Jewish singing groups coming up with Chanukah parodies and new lyrics for songs from the hit movie Wicked, we expected one from the Maccabeats and here it is.
In 2010 The Maccabeats, an a cappella group from Yeshiva University, released their first Hanukkah music video, Candlelight, and every Hanukkah (and other holidays) since then we've seen many more videos by them and lots of other groups.
Originally
formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group,
the Maccabeats have recently emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella
phenomena, with a large fan base, more than 20 million views on
YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with three albums,
2010′s Voices From The Heights, 2012′s Out Of The Box and 2014′s One Day More. Many of their songs are parodies of pop hits, and this Chanukah they're continuing the tradition withnew lyrics for the movie's signature song Defying Gravity that celebrates the spirit of the Jewish people. The lyrics appear below. Enjoy!
Lyrics
Some things have changed around us
Some things have stayed the same
Through every change we’ve weathered
Our spirit always burns the same.
When shadows rise to meet us
Our flame will burn through the night
An ancient spark ignites
And fills the void with light.
We’ll rise above, defying gravity
Through every trial defying gravity
And they won’t bring us down.
Our light will continue to shine
this flame is no trick or delusion
Never accepted limits,
Cause someone says they're so
Thousands of years so far
But we’ve still got a ways to go.
No time to be afraid of
Those who’d try to see us gone
They didn’t know the strength that we’ve had all along.
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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 2026 and 2027 in Person and Via ZOOM
Now is the time to book our Jewish humor programs and lectures for your 2026 and 2027 events in person and via ZOOM anywhere in the world. Book any of our 26 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@primetimepresenters.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 2026 and 2027 dates in your community. Click above for details. To book a program with Al, e-mail: dan@primetimepresenters.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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[image: Story 375601404]
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