Remembering Norm Crosby, Master of Malaprop

Norm Crosby, a Jewish comedian from Boston who served time on the Borscht Belt circuit and in Las Vegas hotels, died yesterday in Los Angeles at the age of 93. He was known mainly as a source of malapropisms that he integrated into his comedy routines. 

Crosby became a frequent guest on TV talk and variety shows, including Dean Martin’s, and subsequently was a perfect choice as a regular roaster on the hugely popular Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts of the ‘70s, writing lines like: “Wilt Chamberlain is an insulation to young people all over the world. Wherever he appears, after every game the kids give him a standing ovulation.”

Crosby continued with a busy schedule in the following decades, and was the Los Angeles co-host of the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon for over 25 years, until Lewis was unceremoniously dumped from the annual event in 2011. In later years Crosby performed at casinos, Friars Club roasts, and on cruise ships.

We previously posted video clips of Crosby co-hosting Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy Association telethons in 1987 and 1997. Here is a clip of a Crosby performance on The Dean Martin Show in 1967.

Enjoy! 

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Joke to Start the Week - "Chemical Plant Fire"

It's another Monday and time for another Joke to Start the Week. This week we're posting a joke from Dr. Jay Orlikoff, a retired dentist from Centereach, New York, a community on Long Island in Suffolk County.

After a distinguished and meritorious dental career, he is shifting his focus to telling and posting jokes on YouTube. We were fortunate to find some of his jokes and we're sharing one of the family-friendly ones with you today. 

Here's the setup: There's a fire at a chemical plant. The owner is standing outside and he's really worried as a fire truck comes up. And then...

Enjoy!

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Yiddish Word of the Day: Dressed to the Nines

As people continue to spend their days and evenings at home, due to coronavirus social distancing restrictions, the Forverts has launched a series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll be sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we're sharing a few Yiddish words and colorful expressions that describe men and women who are dressed to the nines.

Enjoy! 

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Welcoming Shabbat with a Shalom Aleichem Samba by Cantor Simon Spiro of the Song Shul

The Song Shul is an independent congregation in Toronto, not affiliated with any organized movement. It welcomes people of all Jewish backgrounds.

The Song Shul has no rabbi. Its spiritual leader is world-renowned Cantor Simon Spiro, a man of enormous Jewish knowledge and musical talent and an outrageous sense of humor.

Its services are conducted by Cantor Spiro, with the a cappella accompaniment of the Toronto Festival Singers. Seating is in-the-round, providing an intimate, warm and welcoming atmosphere for singing along.

Cantor Spiro has performed 17 versions of Shalom Aleichem, including this swinging samba version.

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom! 

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Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: "You Bet Your Life" with Groucho Marx and Rabbi Max Nussbaum

On this Throwback Thursday we're turning the clock and calendar back 64 years to 1956, when Groucho Marx was in his heyday as host of the weekly show You Bet Your Life.

The show debuted on ABC Radio on October 27, 1947, then moved to CBS Radio debuting October 5, 1949, before making the transition to NBC-TV and NBC Radio on October 4, 1950. Because of its simple format, it was possible to broadcast the show simultaneously on radio and television. 

The last episode in its radio format aired on June 10, 1960. On television, however, the series continued for another year, debuting in its final season on September 22, 1960, and with a new title, The Groucho Show. 

In this episode, Groucho banters with Rabbi Max Nussbaum, who was the rabbi of Temple Israel in Los Angeles for 32 years. The rabbi appears on the show at 6 and a half minutes into the video clip.

Enjoy!

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Creative Exercising in a Coronavirus World

Exercising has become a challenge in a world of lockdowns, quarantine, and social distancing. 

But adversity always inspires creativity, and when Israeli golfer Leo Friedman found himself stuck in quarantine in Germany he came up with a series of creative rotational exercises to tone up his shoulder, neck, and wrist muscles.

In this video he demonstrates the exercises and suggest that you perform them 10 times a day.

The Hebrew subtitles translate as: "Listen to him...Required exercises for release and healing."

Enjoy!

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Today is Election Day; Jewish Humor Central Announces its Presidential Endorsement

Today is Election Day. We know that you've been anxiously awaiting Jewish Humor Central's choice for President of the United States. After weighing all the pros and cons of each of the leading candidates, we have come to the conclusion that there is only one choice: Yoely 2020 of the Heimish Party.

We have been posting Yoely's videos since he first announced his candidacy in June. As we approach the finish line, we are backing up our endorsement with an interview that Yoely granted this week on his own YNN network to outline the specifics of his program and plans for governing for the next four years.

In the interview below, Yoely explains the Heimish party platform and addresses all of the hot button issues in this year's campaign, including the pandemic, the economy, LGBTQ issues, legalization of marijuana, the second amendment, and how his White House will be different.

Enjoy, and don't forget to vote!

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A Joke to Start the Week: "College Reunion"

Bob Alper is an ordained 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 twenty-seven 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. Now Bob has launched a new series of daily Quick Laughs that you can subscribe to.

In this Quick Laugh, Bob tells a classic joke about a college reunion. 

Enjoy!

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Yiddish Word of the Day: Generosity

As people continue to spend their days and evenings at home, due to coronavirus social distancing restrictions, the Forverts has launched a series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll be sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Last week we shared the words used to describe stinginess. This week it's nice to know there are as many words to describe generosity.

Enjoy! 

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Welcoming Shabbat with Shalom Aleichem by London's Shir Music Band

Shir is a Jewish music group playing music of the Jewish Diaspora and Israel: Klezmer, Israeli, Yiddish, Sephardi, Mizrahi, Ladino and Simcha music.

Shir has performed in festivals in the UK and Europe include Klezmer In The Park (London), Santander International Music Festival (Santander, Spain), Sephardic International Music (Cordoba, Spain),  Festival Veranos De La Villa (Madrid, Spain), Barcelona and the Amsterdam Jewish Music Festival (Holland).

Today we're sharing their version of Shalom Aleichem.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom! 

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Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Buddy Hackett Jokes with Johnny Carson and Roy Rogers

We're big fans of the Buddy Hackett and have posted many of his sessions on the Johnny Carson Show. 

But it's always a challenge to find his jokes and conversations that are family-friendly for us to share.We keep looking for new posts and we found one! Buddy and Johnny are long gone, but every now and then a video clip comes to the surface. 

Today we're turning the clock back to 1975 (Yes, that's 45 years ago) when Buddy made an appearance on the Johnny Carson Show with Roy Rogers. The subject was multiple marriages and Buddy didn't disappoint.

Enjoy!

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#Throwback Thursday    #TBT

Wacky Wednesday Comedy Special: Henny Youngman Heckles Milton Berle on Hollywood Palace

The year was 1966. Yes, that's 54 years ago. Milton Berle was hosting on The Hollywood Palace when Henny Youngman started to heckle him from the balcony.

Heckling Berle was a regular activity during the 1960s and 1970s, starting when Berle hired comedian Irving Benson to look down from the balcony overlooking the stage of Berle's variety show and banter with Berle about the host's alleged lack of talent and originality. 

Youngman and Benson heckled on Berle's shows The Hollywood Palace and The Milton Berle Show. The heckling routine was picked up years later by the muppet characters Statler and Waldorf on The Muppet Show.

Enjoy! 

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The Richness of the Yiddish Language: 46 Ways to Call Someone an Imbecile

Last week The Forward held its first Come As You Are Gala as an online streaming event.

Comedians, celebrities, politicians and Forward journalists gathered on screen for a light-hearted evening in these uncertain times.

A highlight of the evening was a presentation by Yiddish actors Yelena Shmulenson and Allen Lewis Rickman on how we can learn a lot about Jewish culture by looking at the Yiddish language and how many words there are for the same thing. 

For example, in Japan there are many words for snow, and French has many words for romance. So what about Yiddish? In Yiddish there are eight words for son, and eight words for unfortunately. But where the Yiddish language shines is with its 46 synonyms for the word imbecile!

Enjoy!

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Yelena Shmulenson and Allen Lewis Rickman at the Forward's 2020 gala from The Forward on Vimeo.

A Joke to Start the Week - "Hearing Test"

It's another Monday and time for another Joke to Start the Week. This week we're posting a joke from Dr. Jay Orlikoff, a retired dentist from Centereach, New York, a community on Long Island in Suffolk County.

After a distinguished and meritorious dental career, he is shifting his focus to telling and posting jokes on YouTube. We were fortunate to find some of his jokes and are sharing one of the family-friendly ones with you today. 

Here's the setup: A guy goes to his doctor and says "Doc, I need your help. My wife is losing her hearing." And then...

Enjoy!

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Yiddish Word of the Day: Stinginess

As people continue to spend their days and evenings at home, due to coronavirus social distancing restrictions, the Forverts has launched a series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll be sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Stinginess must have been rampant in the shtetls of Eastern Europe where the Yiddish language flourished. There are four (and maybe more) words that express stinginess and miserliness, not only with money but also with words and praise. Learn the differences and how to pronounce them in this video.

Enjoy! 

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Welcoming Shabbat with Ein Keiloheinu by Congregation Bnai Keshet in Montclair, NJ

Congregation Bnai Keshet, a Reconstructionist synagogue in Montclair, New Jersey, like many synagogues around the world, isn't letting coronavirus concerns getting in the way of community singing on Shabbat, even though it has to be done remotely via Zoom sessions. 

Bnai Keshet values both the unique individual backgrounds and beliefs of its diverse members and its shared historical traditions. They are an informal and respectful community moved by prayer, fired by lively discussion, and enlivened by laughter and song.

In this video, Bnai Keshet members sing a version of Ein Keiloheinu, the liturgical poem sung toward the end of the Shabbat Shacharit service.

Enjoy, and Shabbat Shalom!

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Throwback Thursday Musical Showcase: Political Commentator Ben Shapiro, at Age 12, Plays Theme from Schindler's List

Ben Shapiro is an American conservative political commentator, media host, bestselling author and attorney. At age 17, he became the youngest nationally syndicated columnist in the United States.   

He writes columns for Creators Syndicate, Newsweek, and Ami Magazine, serves as editor emeritus for The Daily Wire, which he founded, and hosts The Ben Shapiro Show, a daily political podcast and live radio show. 

But at age 12 he seemed headed for an entirely different career. In 1996 he was featured at an Israeli Bonds banquet as a violinist. In this clip, Shapiro is introduced by Larry King and plays the theme from Schindler's List.

Enjoy!

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#Throwback Thursday    #TBT

Wacky Wednesday Comedy Special: Sacha Baron Cohen Returns as Borat in New Movie

Have you been waiting for Sacha Baron Cohen to revive his Borat character from Kazakhstan in a new movie, or have you been hoping not to see any more of his outrageous but hilarious antics again?  

Well, the wait is over. This Friday, October 23 will mark the debut of Cohen's new movie streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The title is Borat Subsequent Movie Film: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan.

As Rebecca Rubin wrote in Variety,

The movie — a direct sequel to Cohen’s 2006 film “Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” — was secretly filmed and completed during the pandemic. Cohen was recently spotted in Los Angeles dressed in character as Borat Sagdiyev, a Kazakh journalist who was first introduced to audiences on “F2F” and “Da Ali G Show.” He also made a secret appearance in June at a political rally, where he pranked the conservative audience into singing racist song lyrics.

In the film, Borat and his daughter carry on conversations in what's supposed to be the Kazhak language, but Borat is speaking in Hebrew while his daughter is speaking in Bulgarian.

Enjoy! 

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Meir Kay Takes His Positivity to the Streets With "Great Day" Music Video

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 six 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, Looking for a Leader in the Park, and A Hugging Spree in New York City.

In his new Great Day music video, Meir leads a group of dancers in a high energy demonstration of positivity. The song's message is all about having the choice to make the best of our day - to not allow whatever comes our way to have a say on how we will show up, but rather we can make a decision to make this day a great one! 

Enjoy!

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A Joke to Start the Week - "Sign Language"

 

It's another Monday, and time for another Joke to Start the week. Here's another one from author and lecturer Michael Krasny.

Krasny has been telling Jewish jokes since his bar mitzvah, and it’s been said that he knows more of them than anyone on the planet. He certainly states his case in his latest book Let There be Laughter.

In promoting the book, Krasny has been giving lectures and interviews in which he tells some of the classic Jewish jokes, explaining the cultural expressions and anxieties behind the laughs.

We found some videos of these lectures, and today we're sharing another oldie but goodie.

Here's the setup: A man goes for a walk with his grandson. They see a sign that says in huge block letters: "NO SWIMMING ALLOWED." And then...

Enjoy!

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Yiddish Word of the Day: Lokshn (Noodles)

As people continue to spend their days and evenings at home, due to coronavirus social distancing restrictions, the Forverts has launched a series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll be sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Noodles (lokshn in Yiddish) are more than just an ingredient in a sweet kugel and in chicken soup usually served at the Shabbat table. They appear as a metaphor in a variety of clever phrases and expressions that can be used on many occasions.

Enjoy! 

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Welcoming Shabbat with "Yismechu" by Timna Brauer and Friends

Today we welcome Shabbat with Yismechu, a song from the Shabbat liturgy, sung before a large audience in List Hall in Graz, Austria by Timna Brauer and her ensemble.

Timna Brauer is an Austrian-Israeli singer-songwriter, and the daughter of painter, writer and singer Arik Brauer. She collaborates with the Israeli pianist Elias Meiri. Both have Israeli roots.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

 

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Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Eddie Cantor Sings "My Wife is on a Diet" in 1930

Eddie Cantor sings "My Wife Is on a Diet" in the 1930 short subject Getting a Ticket. He's been pulled over by a cop and tells the man he's Eddie Cantor. Eddie has no identification with him, so naturally to prove who he is, he sings a song.

In the song, Cantor details the hardship of having to eat grapefruit every day.

"No gravy and potatoes, just lettuce and tomatoes..." Not much has changed in the last 90 years.

Enjoy! 

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#Throwback Thursday     #TBT

Hava Nagila Around the World: Michael Yanis on Russian Stage

Hava Nagila continues to spread around the world. In the 11 years that we've been bringing you Jewish Humor Central, we have posted 90 versions of this classic Hebrew/Jewish song.

But there's always room for one more.Last month viewers of Shanson TV in Russia were treated to yet another production of Hava Nagila at the State Kremlin Palace.

It was a performance by Michael Yanis playing his accordion while a stage filled with dancers danced in front of a colorful kaleidoscopic background.

Enjoy! 

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Yiddish Word of the Day: Parents-in-Law

As people continue to spend their days and evenings at home, due to coronavirus social distancing restrictions, the Forverts has launched a series of short informal video clips called Yiddish Word of the Day.

The series, written and narrated by Forverts editor Rukhl Schaechter, aims to give non-Yiddish speakers an introduction to familiar Yiddish words and phrases and how they might be used in everyday situations. 

Schaechter, who was appointed the new editor of the Forverts in 2016, is the first woman to helm the paper in its 119-year history, its first editor to have been born in the United States, and likely its first editor who is shomeret Shabbat.

We posted the first of this series in May. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll be sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today's Yiddish words of the day are the terms used to describe a mother-in-law and father-in-law, and the terms used by each set of in-laws to refer to their counterparts.
 
Enjoy! 

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A Joke to Start the Week - "Skydiving" by Rabbi Bob Alper

Bob Alper is an ordained 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 twenty-seven 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. Now Bob has launched a new series of daily Quick Laughs that you can subscribe to.

Here's the setup for this quick laugh: An Israeli and an Arab find themselves in a skydiving plane. When it came time to jump, the Israeli went out first. And then...

Enjoy!

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Before Coronavirus: Second Hakafot After Simchat Torah in Jerusalem

Here's a scene that's unlikely to be repeated this year because of coronavirus lockdowns and social distancing. But two years ago at Yeshivat Har Hamor in Jerusalem, hundreds of Yeshiva students joyfully participated in the annual second hakafot at the conclusion of Simchat Torah. 

Yeshivat Har Hamor was founded in Jerusalem in the year 5758, by the pupils of Rabbi Zvi Yehuda Hacohen Kook. Hundreds of boys learn, day and night, all parts of the Torah, while also combining military service.

At the conclusion of the one day celebration of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah in Israel and the beginning of Simchat Torah in the Diaspora, there is a custom in Israel to do Second Hakafot, during which people go into the streets with Torah scrolls and dance another time. 

The source of this custom is attributed to Rabbi Hayyim ben Joseph Vital, who described the customs of his teacher, Isaac Luria, in Safed. Vital explains Luria had the custom to visit a number of synagogues after Simchat Torah, which delayed the end of the prayer services and did Hakafot. 

From there the custom spread to Hebron and the Beit El Synagogue in Jerusalem, and subsequently spread to other congregations in Jerusalem before becoming accepted across Israel. The custom spread from Israel to communities in Italy and the Near East—Turkey, Baghdad, Persia, Kurdistan, and India. 

Over the next few days we'll be observing a quiet Shabbat, Shemini Atzeret, and Simchat Torah while remembering joyous celebrations like this one and hoping for a return to normalcy next year.

Shabbat shalom and Chag Sameach!