Welcoming Shabbat with Adon Olam...in Margaritaville

Adon Olam is the song that marks the end of the Shabbat service in most congregations. Over the years we have posted 99 versions -- not just Ashkenazic and Sephardic interpretations, but also melodies taken from films, Broadway shows, and pop music.

Today we're sharing a version in the spirit of Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville, as interpreted by Cantor Danny Mendelson of Congregation Kol Ami, a Reform synagogue in White Plains, New York.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

Meir Kay Plays Chanukah Trivia with Strangers in New York Streets for a Donut

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."

We've already featured some of his videos on the Evolution of Chassidic Dance, High Fiving Strangers in New York, Dancing Behind People in Jerusalem, How to Lift the Torah Like a Boss, and Looking for a Leader in the Park.

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.

Enjoy!

Welcoming Shabbat with Oseh Shalom (Danny Boy) by Cantor Lauren Phillips Fogelman

Tonight we welcome Shabbat with an Irish twist -- Oseh Shalom sung to the melody of Danny Boy by Cantor Laura Phillips Fogelman of Temple Beth Abraham in Tarrytown, New York.

A native of New York, Cantor Fogelman was ordained as a cantor from Hebrew Union College – Jewish Institute of Religion Debbie Friedman School of Sacred Music in May 2013. She holds a Master of Sacred Music and Cantorial Ordination from the same institution, along with a Master of Music in Vocal Performance from the Boston Conservatory and undergraduate degrees in Music and Communications from Tufts University.

Shabbat shalom!

Comedy Showcase: Rabbi Bob Alper is Back With More Stand-up Comedy

Bob Alper is an ordained 78-year-old Reform rabbi from Vermont who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary.

But he's also a stand-up comedian with a thirty year comedy career. He presents wonderfully unique material in a way that's intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean.

Since 2010 we have posted more than two dozen video clips of his stand-up routines. For the last two years, his standup performances have been limited to Zoom sessions because of the Covid pandemic. Now that it's over, he is back on the comedy club circuit with a recent appearance at  the Don't Tell Mama cabaret in New York City.

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.

The New Jewish Comedians: Meet Emily Azrael, Standup Comic

We've been posting clips of Jewish comedians going back to the days of vaudeville and burlesque, from Jack Benny to Alan King, and including dozens more. We've posted many of them since we started Jewish Humor Central 14 years ago.

But a new generation of Jewish comedians is on the rise. And they're very funny. It's a rare one who can get through a routine without off-color words or phrases, but some are trying very hard to let the jokes and situations carry the day without resorting to outright foul language.

Some of the new comedians are only new to us, since we haven't been watching all the late night TV shows and going to comedy clubs where they make their first appearances. But as we discover them, we'll share some of their video clips with you.

Today we're sharing a video clip of Emily Azrael, who tells comedy club audiences about the Jewish dating scene in New York. Emily has been making the rounds of comedy clubs, delivering this set about her dating encounters and awkward conversations with her mother.

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.

Only in New York - Meir Kay Tries to Fight Hate with Hugs

As we surf the web looking for funny videos to post here, we come across some very talented funny people who delight in creating interesting and humorous situations to provide entertainment and reasons to laugh. 

Because this is Jewish Humor Central, we try to find ones that have some kind of Jewish connection. Sometimes they're obvious, and sometime they're a bit of a stretch.

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."

We've already featured some of his videos on the Evolution of Chassidic Dance, High Fiving Strangers in New York, Dancing Behind People in Jerusalem, How to Lift the Torah Like a Boss, and Looking for a Leader in the Park.

In this video Meir tries to fight hate with love and plants a sign in the street saying "If you support your Jewish Friends and the Jewish People, Let's Hug." And guess what happens.

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.

Wacky Wednesday Comedy Showcase: Human Tree on Candid Camera

Candid Camera was an American hidden camera/practical joke reality television series created and produced by Allen Funt, which initially began on radio as The Candid Microphone on June 28, 1947. 

After a series of theatrical film shorts, also titled Candid Microphone, Funt's concept came to television on August 10, 1948, and continued into the 1970s. 

The show involved concealing cameras filming ordinary people being confronted with unusual situations, sometimes involving trick props, such as a desk with drawers that pop open when one is closed or a car with a hidden extra gas tank. When the joke was revealed, victims would be told the show's catchphrase, "Smile, you're on Candid Camera."

Peter Funt joined the show professionally in 1987 when he became a co-host with his father. During this time the show was being broadcast on the CBS television network. In 1993, Allen Funt had a serious stroke, from which he never fully recovered. This required Peter to host the show full-time. 

The show went through a few revivals. During his time on the show Peter was a producer, host and acted on the show. He also produced and hosted over 200 episodes. 

In this classic episode the Candid Camera crew sets up a hollow tree with a man inside in various spots including Central Park, a New York subway station, and Times Square.

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.

"Jewish Foodie", a New Video Series, Explores Jewish America Through Food with Israeli Comedian Ori Laizerouvich

In its latest effort to strengthen the bond between Israel and American Jewry, the Ruderman Family Foundation this month launched a 10-part original video series, “Jewish Foodie.” 

The series aims to encourage Israelis to deepen their knowledge about U.S. Jewish communities, and Jewish Americans to become better acquainted with their rich and diverse heritage and culture, all accomplished through a rich and fascinating culinary journey of Jewish food across the U.S.

As reported in The Jewish Link this week,

Hosted by the well-known Israeli actor and comedian Ori Laizerouvich, “Jewish Foodie” takes viewers on a journey of the broad diversity of American Jewry as a whole and its communities in particular through the innovative vehicle of food.

Focusing on the personal stories and cultural influences associated with Jewish food in four American regions, the series explores the Northeast, with its bagels and lox, knishes, delis, hot dogs, Chinese food and vegan fare; the Southeast, including barbecue, bourbon and baked goods; the Southwest, featuring tacos, Jewish-style burgers with latkes (“Jew Boy Burger”), huevos rancheros and rodeo food; and the Midwest, with pastrami sandwiches, bison burgers and Canukah gelt-making.

Viewers not only discover American Jewish communities’ food stories, but also the broader character of the communities themselves and their members, including communities whose Jewish presence may be surprising.

Actor and comedian Laizerouvich is a familiar face to fans of the Chai Flicks streaming series Shababnikim (The New Black) where he plays the role of Gedaliah, a very religious and very serious Yeshiva student.

The Jewish Foodie series begins with Laizerouvich in New York City, where he makes stops at iconic restaurants such as Katz’s Delicatessen, Russ & Daughters and Yonah Schimmel’s Knish Bakery.

 (A note to our readers: While all of the food establishments visited by Laizerouvich specialize in Jewish food, only a few of them have kosher certification. In this New York video, only Yonah Schimmel's Knish Bakery is certified kosher.)

Be sure to subscribe to Jewish Humor Central. Just enter your email address in the box at the upper left of our home page for your automatic free subscription. Or enter www.jewishhumorcentral.com into your browser each day. We'll be sharing the next nine episodes of this series with you each Sunday. 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.

Teaching Dogs Yiddish in Central Park

In September and again in October, the historic Yiddish organization The Workmen's Circle invited owners to bring their dogs for an event in Central Park where dogs are taught commands like 'sit' and 'down' in Yiddish.

As Alix Strauss wrote in The New York Times,

The class was organized by Workmen’s Circle, a progressive Jewish community and education nonprofit. “People want to teach their dog Yiddish,” said David Dossick, the event manager at the Circle. “It’s a New York thing to do.”

Steve Zelman, 69, from Sutton Place, Manhattan, was there with Ollie, his longhaired miniature dachshund to “meet some nice Jewish dogs,” he said.

Edna Schwartz, also 69, came in from Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, with Puma, her miniature poodle, for the training aspect. “My family would yell at us in Yiddish, so this reminds me of my childhood,” she said. “My dog is here to learn how to behave, listen and respond.”

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.

Thousands March in New York in Sunday's Celebrate Israel Parade

Thousands of marchers and observers turned up on Fifth Avenue on Sunday to celebrate Israel's 70th anniversary.

As CBS News reported,

The parade encouraged lots of blue and white to flow along Fifth Avenue. The celebration, with music and cheering, observed the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel. The parade started at 57th Street and stretched north to 74th.

Ambassador Dani Dayan, consul general of Israel in New York, told CBS2’s Dave Carlin he was eager to help put the day in historical perspective.

 “When you compare where we were 70 years ago from the ashes of the holocaust, it’s simply miracle what we’ve achieved in 70 years and we want to share that celebration,” Dayan said.

Talia Hazan of Kew Gardens said Queens is where she was born but Israel, which she visits often, feels like home.

“It’s just like a very happy country. The vibes there and the energy is so bright and happy,” Hazan said.

The same could be said of Sunday’s parade, celebrating Israel.

A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  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.

Meir Kalmanson Spreads Joy by High Fiving Strangers in New York

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."

We've already featured one of his videos in April 2015 on the Evolution of Chassidic Dance. A video of him wandering the streets of New York and high fiving unsuspecting strangers who were raising their hands to hail a cab made it onto a Fox 5 TV newscast.

We'll be showing you some of his other comedy videos in the coming weeks. Here's the original high fiving video followed by the TV news report. Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  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.)  

Unexpected Traces in Jewish Places: A Greek Romaniote Synagogue in New York City

Reading the Wall Street Journal this week, we came across an interesting article by reporter Ralph Gardner Jr., who writes the regular column Urban Gardner. 

In exploring his Jewish roots and his city, Gardner writes from time to time about unusual and unexpected Jewish presence in New York.

This week he wrote about Kehila Kedosha Janina, the last remaining Greek Romaniote synagogue in the Western Hemisphere, located on Broome Street on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. 

Like him, we had never heard of Romaniote Jews. With the help of Gardner's visit to the shul and some Googling and YouTube searching, we got a bit of an education that we're sharing with you this erev Shabbat.

As Gardner wrote,

It’s a community of Greek Jews more than 2,000 years old. They came to the U.S. starting in the early 1900s; the synagogue on the Lower East Side opened in 1927.

The congregation is named after the town of Ioannina (Janina) in Greece. According to legend, Jews swam ashore there in the year 70, escaping from a Roman slave ship.

Geographically isolated, the community developed traditions and remained Greek speaking even after the post-1492 influx of Jews expelled from Spain during the Inquisition.

Ms. Ikonomopoulos said it’s impossible to say how many belong to the congregation because there isn’t paid membership. However, there are enough members to hold services and everyone is welcome. “We have become the center for Romaniote Judaism in the world,” she added.

In this video, members of the congregation talk about the synagogue and its place in their lives.

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.)

A Job For a Nice Jewish Boy - Doctor, Lawyer? No, Exterminator, and He Traps Pests the Torah Way

Moshe Stein has a company called NJB - Nice Jewish Boy. So what kind of company is NJB? We would never guess unless we watched the Jewish Daily Forward's video about Moshe and his line of business.

So what field is NJB in? Medicine? Law? No, Pest control. Moshe is an exterminator.  An Orthodox Jewish exterminator. One of about 25 to 30 Orthodox Jewish exterminators, up from five when he started the business. And Moshe says New York is an amazing place for pests.

As Paul Berger reported in the Forward,

Stein’s clients are overwhelmingly Orthodox Jews, either private homeowners or apartment building landlords. He’s part of a growing number of Orthodox exterminators sensing a business opportunity in a swelling population in New York City.

He believes that trust is one of the most important factors for a successful pest control business. And Orthodox Jews are more trusting of an Orthodox exterminator.

“We say that all of us met at Mount Sinai,” Stein said. “We already met once. I think there’s that comfort.”

In his work, profit isn't his primary concern. Moshe answers to a higher power. When he traps animals, he makes sure that they have the proper food. Because the Torah cares about how they feel, he says he definitely has to care too.

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.)  

Billy Eichner and Rashida Jones Play "Whistle Blow that Jew" on New York Street

Billy on the Street is a comedy game show on the Fuse TV television network, hosted by Billy Eichner, an American Jewish comedian, where Billy goes out to the streets of New York and asks pedestrians questions about pop culture.

In this episode, Billy plays Whistle-Blow That Jew! with Rashida Jones, in which she has to call out celebrities who have changed their names from their original, Jewish-sounding name. If they did change their name, Rashida must yell, "Full of shame!" but if they didn't, she must yell, "Not that name!" You may be surprised by the correct answers.

Rashida didn't change her name. She was born Rashida Leah Jones in Los Angeles, the daughter of Quincy Jones, a musician who became a media mogul and producer, and Peggy Lipton, an actress noted for her role on the TV series The Mod Squad and Twin Peaks. Jones is widely known for her role as Ann Perkins on NBC's comedy Parks and Recreation.

Her mother is Ashkenazi Jewish (a descendant of immigrants from Russia and Latvia). Rashida and her sister were raised in Reform Judaism by their mother, She attended Hebrew school, though she left at the age of ten and did not have a Bat Mitzvah. As an adult, Jones practices Judaism.

(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.)

Comedy Showcase: Standup Comedy With Modi on New York Taxis and Their Drivers

Modi (Mordechai Rosenfeld) is a stand-up comedian that we can't get enough of. We've featured his routines and performances as a character actor a few times on Jewish Humor Central. In January, we posted part of his performance a few years ago at the Comic Strip Live club in New York.

Born April 29th, 1970 in Tel Aviv, Israel, Modi Rosenfeld moved to New York City with his family when he was 7. Before entering comedy, he was a Wall Street international banker. He now goes solely by the name Modi and is known for creating accents and characters.

Today we're sharing another segment of the same appearance at the Comic Strip Club.  Modi opens with a description of how he's been finding cell phones in New York cabs, and goes on to a hilarious set of taxi driver impersonations.

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.)
 

Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Subways Are For Klezmer

This week an unexpected one-man klezmer concert took place in the Times Square subway station in New York. 

OK, so Manhattan isn't an unexpected place to hear Jewish music. But in the subway???

There's a lot that's unknown about this episode, but we'll tell you what is self-evident from the video below. An unidentified man dressed in black tie and tails plays eight popular Jewish songs on a New York subway platform, the first three on a saxophone and the next five on a clarinet.

The songs are Hava Nagila, Yismechu Hashamayim, Jerusalem of Gold, Eleh Chamda Libi, Bashanah Haba'ah, Mayim Mayim, Let My People Go, and Eliyahu Hanavi.

This is so typical New York. The musician plays while running around a litter can in the center of the platform while the trains come and go. Most people ignore him, walking by without stopping. Occasionally, someone drops a coin or bill into his collection box while others drop garbage into the litter can.

We're lucky that at least one observer (TubeDude78, who posted it on YouTube) had a camera or phone and captured this five minute gem.

After two minutes he takes one minute off to change instruments and adjust his clarinet before continuing with the next five songs, so don't be put off by the silence between the 2 minute and 3 minute marks.

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.)


^{(A tip of the kippah to Phoebe Weisbrot for bringing this video to our attention.)}