Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner and Other GI JEWS Tell Their World War II Stories

GI JEWS: Jewish Americans in World War II, a feature-length documentary for broadcast on national public television, will tell the profound and unique story of Jewish Americans in World War II.

These are the men and women who fought for their nation and their people, struggled privately with anti-Semitism, and emerged transformed, more powerfully American and more deeply Jewish.

The film will include interviews with Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, 104-year-old Bea Cohen and former Manhattan DA Robert M. Morgenthau.

We'll keep an eye out for the completion date of the film and let you know about its availability.

(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 Joke to Start the Week - "Are You Jewish?"

It's another Monday, and it's the last day of Chanukah. So do we post another Chanukah music video or our traditional Joke to Start the Week? 

After much deliberation, we decided that ten music videos was enough for this year, and that we should give the nod to our joke lovers.

This week marks the return to this space of Freyda Kolinsky, the retired teacher who got such a great response to her "flucky" joke that we thought you deserved another one from her collection.

Here's the setup: A man was late to work. He rushed onto the train and took the only seat available, next to a lady. And then...

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.) 

Israel Forever Website Features Jewish Humor Central in a Week of Chanukah Laughter

The Israel Forever Foundation is an engagement organization that develops and promotes experiential learning opportunities to celebrate and strengthen the personal connection to Israel as an integral part of Jewish life and identity.

 

 One of their projects is the Israel Forever Blog, a dynamic collection of personal perspectives, insights and stories that empower others to explore and strengthen their own personal connection to Israel.

 

With the Israel Forever blog focusing on Jewish humor during the eight days of Chanukah, we were invited to share our perspective on Jewish and Israeli humor. We included some of the funniest video clips that we've posted over the years. We thought that our Jewish Humor Central readers would enjoy revisiting them, so we're reproducing our Israel Forever blog post below.

 

Jewish Humor - Does Israel make it different?

 By Al Kustanowitz

In all the press coverage of Israel as a center of conflict in the Middle East, one very important characteristic of this colorful and friendly country that’s not often reported is the role of humor in everyday life.

 

This aspect is sorely lacking in the columns of newspapers around the world, but all it takes is a visit to Jerusalem or Tel Aviv, a reading of the local papers, or watching Israeli television to see the fun that Israelis are having in their activities. This is true among religious and secular communities. It may not be as readily apparent in the religious or Haredi worlds, but living among them will reveal that even in the most serious halls of study and prayer, smiles and laughter are often lurking just below the surface.

Since 2009 I have published a blog called Jewish Humor Central. In it I’ve posted more than 1,800 video clips relating to Jewish humor around the world in all of its forms. And there are many forms.

More than 350 of these posts are specifically related to humor that has a connection to the land and people of Israel. They include jokes, funny TV commercials, parody, satire, improv, standup comedy, music videos for Chanukah and other holidays, and unbelievable but true reports of funny and unusual happenings that could occur only in Israel.

 

Not all humor in Israel is laugh out loud funny, but that’s also the case everywhere else in the world. Some anecdotes, news items, and jokes are hilarious, and some bring a grin, chuckle, laugh, guffaw, or just a warm feeling that's likely to produce a knowing smile and some Yiddishe nachas.

I selected the best of the bunch, some 120 blog posts with associated video clips, and published a book about them called Israel is a Funny Country. With links to more than six hours of Internet video, it 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, I take a look at humorous slices of Israeli life, unusual stories about food, simchas as they can only be celebrated in Israel, endearing aspects of Israeli culture, a look at the growing phenomenon of flash mobs, and a glimpse of a few unusual Israeli sports.

 

My objective in writing the book and sharing these anecdotes and video clips is to give readers and viewers a new and different insight into life in Israel, and encourage them to join in the fun by planning a visit to the land flowing with milk and honey.

 

FUNNY HAPPENINGS IN ISRAEL

---

 

Here are just a few examples of funny happenings in Israel that are not widely reported worldwide, but that appeared in Jewish Humor Central.

 

Mermaid Spotted Off Haifa Coast; $1 Million Reward Offered

A mermaid was reported in Kiryat Yam, a suburb of Haifa. A local resident insisted that it came ashore and touched him. The story was reported by Israel21c.

Kojak the Camel Gets Tied Up in Jerusalem Bureaucracy

 

Kojak, the kissing camel of Jerusalem, got tied up in Jerusalem bureaucracy when the municipality insisted that he apply for a business permit.

 

---

FUNNY ISRAELI TV COMMERCIALS

 

Israeli TV Commercials, whether for food and drink, or to encourage tourism, can also be funny with special appeal to the Jewish viewer.

 

Israel Ministry of Tourism: History is Everywhere

 

A tourist is shocked when David and Goliath make an appearance in modern Jerusalem.

 

Neviot Flavored Water: The real story of how Michelangelo sculpted David

---

ISRAELI HUMOR AND JEWISH HUMOR: ARE THEY THE SAME?

 

What we think of as Jewish humor in the USA and Israeli humor are quite different.

While most of the old great comedians in America were Jewish, there is very little Jewish content in their performances. Jack Benny, George Burns, Danny Kaye, Alan King, Shelley Berman, Victor Borge, Henny Youngman, Sid Caesar, and Milton Berle were obviously Jewish, but their jokes, sketches, and routines were largely devoid of any ethnic or religious content. Even Myron Cohen, with his strong Yiddish accent, told jokes that were more universal than sectarian.

Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks also projected a strong Jewishness but it did not dominate their work, even when they were writing sketches for Sid Caesar. Sure, their 2000 year old man skits were filled with Jewish sensibilities, and there were short recognizable (and funny) Jewish lines in some of their movies, but only Jackie Mason stands out as the quintessential Jewish stand-up comedian.

Younger comedians, such as Jerry Seinfeld and Billy Crystal, follow the same pattern of general humor with a faint Jewish inflection.

Israeli humor, however, is very, very Jewish through and through. And it’s different in many ways. Most American Jewish humor takes the form of jokes, and often racy ones, that are repeated endlessly wherever Jews gather, whether at social functions or in the synagogue. Much of Israeli humor is in the form of TV skits, and lots of parody of politicians and the political process. This may be funny to Israelis, but to visitors, and especially those not fluent in Hebrew and the day to day activities of these politicians, it has no impact.

The Israeli humor that makes non-Israelis laugh is generally presented by olim from America and other countries such as Benji Lovitt, Deb Kaye, Yisrael Campbell, and Molly Livingstone who recount their battles with the Israeli bureaucracy, their struggles to learn Hebrew and hold their own in a new culture where direct and sometimes rough talk and behavior is considered normal, and where political correctness is virtually unheard of.

Al Kustanowitz founded Jewish Humor Central in 2009, to bring a daily dose of fun and merriment to readers who would otherwise start the day reading news that is often drab, dreary, and depressing. A long-term devotee of Jewish humor, Al has been collecting it even before there was an Internet. For the last 25 years he has been editor and publisher of The Kustanowitz Kronikle, originally a family newsletter that went public when the Purim editions became too popular to keep private. Now they're all available as a book, The Kustanowitz Kronikle: 25 Years of Purim Parody. In 2012, Al wrote a series of seven interactive books with the series title Jewish Humor on Your Desktop. Israel is a Funny Country, now in an expanded second edition, is one of the books in the series. For more information visit www.jewishhumorprograms.com or send an email by clicking HERE.

In Jerusalem and Washington, Prime Minister and Presidents Celebrate Chanukah

The scenes were similar this week in Jerusalem and in Washington, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Barack Obama presided over Chanukah Candle lighting ceremonies and special events to mark the occasion.

In Jerusalem, the prime minister lit the first Chanukah candle and delivered a stirring speech. He likened Israel being a candle in the darkness 2200 years ago when the Maccabees defeated the Seleucid Greeks to today's struggle against forces of darkness for our existence, independence, culture, and for all humanity.

At the White House in Washington, Israel's President Reuven Rivlin lit the fifth Chanukah candle on Wednesday evening as President Obama looked on. Before the lighting and singing of Chanukah songs, the two presidents delivered welcoming remarks to an invited audience of Jewish leaders including our Los Angeles bureau chief, Esther Kustanowitz.

For those of us who weren't invited, the video clip below provides a peek inside the White House and an insider's view of the celebration.

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom.

(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.) 

Country Singer Jake Owen Advertises Fake Chanukah Album on Jimmy Kimmel Show

Many Jewish singers, songwriters and musicians have released Christmas albums. But never before has a non-Jewish entertainer released an album of Chanukah songs, until now.

But not really. Late night host Jimmy Kimmel aired a skit as a fake commercial for a fake Hanukkah music album featuring Owen.
 
As Annie Reuter reported on the Taste of Country website,

Jake Owen is gearing up for the holidays, but not like you might expect. During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! the non-Jewish country singer joked he will be releasing an album of Hanukkah songs.

“Never before has a non-Jewish entertainer released an album of Hanukkah songs until tonight,” Kimmel says, introducing Owen.The host prefaces the skit by asserting that while many Jewish musicians have released Christmas albums (Barbara Streisand, Neil Diamond, Barry Manilow and Kenny G), Owen will be the first non-Jewish artist to release a Hanukkah themed album.

“Well hey, I’m Jake Owen,” Owen says, grinning at the camera. “Some of you may like to call me Jay Cohen. What I love more than country music is the wonderful festival holiday of Chanukah.”Wearing a sweatshirt with a Menorah, Owen then begins to play his guitar while singing some songs that will be featured on his fictitious album, including the uniquely titled tracks “Let’s Do Jewish Stuff,” “Lighting the Pointy Candle Thingy” and “Reuben the Red-Nosed Rabbi.”

In the skit, Owen performs the songs for a Jewish family who are less than enthused while an advertisement pops up with a Billboard review of equal caliber.“The most misinformed, poorly researched holiday album of all time,” the advertisement boasts.

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 Vibrant, Energetic Chanukah Music Video from the Israeli City of Netanya

This year we've seen an unusually rich collection of music videos made specifically for Hanukkah. They keep coming, and we'll continue to post one daily until the eight days of Hanukkah run out.

This week, in the city of Netanya, about half way between Tel Aviv and Haifa, an energetic group of singers and dancers from the Netanya Foundation gave us a joyful, energetic greeting for Hanukkah in a music video. The foundation develops and supports programs for the benefit of the residents of Netanya.

Participants in the video were the Netanya municipality, the Netanya Foundation, Masa Tlalim, and HaGag-Center for young adults in Netanya.

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.) 

Four London Synagogues Form "Shul of Rock" and Produce Chanukah Music Video

 

In Harrow, a London suburb, four Harrow synagogues formed a ‘Shul of Rock’ in 2013, fusing traditional Shabbat songs with some very untraditional tunes inspired by The Beatles, Status Quo and Led Zeppelin.

The ‘Friday Night Rock Service,’ which was first performed by a ten-piece rock band at Middlesex New Synagogue, marked the beginning of a nationwide tour that aimed to attract young people and families back to shul.

The unusual initiative was the brainchild of musician Simon Cooper and involved Harrow and Wembley Progressive Synagogue, Middlesex New Synagogue, Hatch End Masorti Synagogue and Kol Chai Synagogue.

Rabbi Kathleen Middleton of Middlesex New Synagogue said: “Whether you come to shul once a week or once in a blue moon, this will be a Friday Night like no other.”

This week the group, calling itself Friday Night Rock Service, announced the release of their first single and video, "Light a Candle for Chanukah"

Based on original tune and lyrics by Debbie Friedman, "Light a Candle for Chanukah" has been lovingly re-recorded to the style of 'Status Quo' meets 'The Darkness'!

Re-recorded with full permission from The Debbie Friedman trust, this brand new "rocked up" version brings "Light a Candle for Chanukah" right up to date and to a new audience.

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 Joke to Start the Week - "Three Friends, One Diagnosis"

Here's wishing a Happy Chanukah to all of our readers and viewers, whether by email, Facebook, or Twitter. 

Today is the first day of Chanukah, but it's also Monday, and that means it's time for a Joke to Start the Week.

We're taking a break from all the Chanukah music videos because it's become a tradition to start off the week with a joke and we wouldn't want to disappoint our joke lovers. 

One of the benefits of presenting lectures and programs on Jewish humor is that we get to meet new joke tellers wherever we go. Yesterday we did a presentation at Congregation B'nai Israel in Kearny, New Jersey and encountered Steve Kaplan, who volunteered to add a few more jokes to our Monday series.

We're saving some for future Mondays, but today's joke starts off like this: Three old friends have known each other for decades. One is a Catholic, one is a Protestant, and one is a Jew. And then...

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 New Chanukah Music Video From Shir Soul - "Lift Yourself Up"

Last year we introduced you to Shir Soul, a wedding band and a cappella singing group founded in 2005 by David Ross.
With their eclectic mix of Jewish rock, pop, and soul music, Shir Soul has recorded a few albums and plays at weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, and other occasions with musical instruments or a cappella.

This week they launched Lift Yourself Up, their new music video for Chanukah. We found the music, lyrics, and choreography uplifting. We think it sets just the right mood as we light the first Chanukah candle tonight.

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 New Chanukah Music Video From Six13 - "Watch Me Spin"

No collection of Jewish holiday music videos would be complete without an entry from Six 13, an a cappella group that has produced videos for Chanukah, Rosh Hashana, and Passover. In previous years we posted their Chanukah Rights and Thanksgivukkah Anthem videos.


Driven by a mission to connect Jews around the globe with their heritage through music, anchored by a strong Jewish identity, and fueled by thumping beatbox, intricate arrangements, and soulful harmonies. Six 13 brings a fresh style of Jewish music to the stage, with songs ranging from hip-hop dance tracks to rock anthems. The members of the New York City-based group sound like a full band – while using nothing but their voices.

This year Six 13 produced Watch Me Spin, a Chanukah parody of Watch Me by Silento, a pop song that has 441 million page views on YouTube.

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 Rare Comedy Find: Alan King Explains All the Middle East Conflicts

One of the pleasures in searching the Internet for funny Jewish videos is the unexpected discovery of gems in largely unknown old video clips.

While surfing on YouTube this week, we came across a video of an appearance by comedian Alan King in which he explained all the Middle East conflicts in a seven minute commentary that ends in a song and dance number.

Since the clip was made in the early 1980s, the explanations have no relevance today. Really? The more things change, the more they remain the same. The key players are all gone, but the game hasn't really changed much.

The video clip was made in the 1980s, but was just posted by Jack Abdo earlier this year. It shows a side of the great comedian that we never knew and never expected.

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 New Chanukah Music Video From Julie Geller - "The Spark"

We're only four days away from lighting the first Chanukah candle, and the Chanukah videos keep coming in. So we're sharing the best of them with you. Today we're posting another original Chanukah song by Julie Geller.

Julie, raised in Colorado where she now lives with her family, also spent time in Boston, San Diego, and Israel. She has taken on a mission to bring love and healing into the world through her music.
  
Julie is a graduate of Harvard University and the New England Conservatory of Music. She studied at Bar Ilan University and Midreshet Lindenbaum in Israel.
 
In the last few years Julie gave us new, original songs that she composed for Passover, Rosh Hashanah, and Shine With Me and I Believe in Miracles for Chanukah. Now she's done it again with another new song for this year's Chanukah celebrations called The Spark.
 
We hope it enhances your Chanukah experience. Enjoy the video and the lyrics below!

(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.)   

Light a fire for the world

Be the path through the dark

Be the answer, the love

Be the hope, be the spark

The joy not the pain

The pride not the shame

We’re igniting these flames

For Hanukkah

For the sake of Your name

On Hanukkah

On this Earth we see some pretty dark days

From our birth we’re always looking for something

Then the days they get short and the questions begin

But when Hanukkah comes, yes when Hanukkah comes

Light a fire for the world

Be the path through the dark

Be the answer, the love

Be the hope, be the spark

The joy not the pain

The pride not the shame

We’re igniting these flames

For Hanukkah

For the sake of Your name

On Hanukkah

Now here we are it’s warm inside and we’re together

Here we are making wonderful memories

Illuminated by candle light    

And it’s radiant here in our home tonight

Watch the candles burning

Remembering the past

We are always learning

To make the fire last

And we’re proud of who we are

And we’re not afraid to show

That we’re proud of who we are

So let your spirit glow

Light a fire for the world

Be the path through the dark

Be the answer, the love

Be the hope, be the spark

The joy not the pain

The pride not the shame

We’re igniting these flames

For Hanukkah

For the sake of Your name

On Hanukkah

© Julie Geller 2015

The Great Jewish Comedians: George Burns Does a Burns and Allen Routine with Madeline Kahn

George Burns was born Nathan Birnbaum on January 20, 1896 in New York City, the ninth of 12 children born to Jewish immigrants who had come to the United States from Romania. Burns was a member of the First Roumanian-American congregation, the Orthodox synagogue where Red Buttons sang in the choir and Edward G. Robinson became a bar mitzvah.

Burns had a long career as a comedian, actor, and writer. He was one of the few entertainers whose career successfully spanned vaudeville, film, radio, and television. His arched eyebrow and cigar-smoke punctuation became familiar trademarks for over three-quarters of a century.

One of his career highlights was The Burns and Allen show, in which he co-starred with his wife, Gracie Allen. Allen's part was known in vaudeville as a "Dumb Dora" act, named after a very early film of the same name that featured a scatterbrained female protagonist, but her "illogical logic" style was several cuts above the Dumb Dora stereotype, as was Burns' understated straight man. 

The twosome worked tirelessly on the road, building a following, as well as a reputation for being a reliable "disappointment act" (one that could fill in for another act on short notice). Burns and Allen were so consistently dependable that vaudeville bookers elevated them to the more secure "standard act" status, and finally to the vaudevillian's dream: the Palace Theatre in New York.

In 1976, twelve years after Gracie died, George appeared in a television special in which he revived one of the Burns and Allen routines with comedian Madeline Kahn.

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.)