Welcoming Shabbat with Shalom Aleichem by the Shir Joy Chorus of Massachusetts

Shir Joy Chorus of Massachusetts (SJCM) is dedicated to learning, sharing and performing Jewish music. Founded in 2011, its growing community of singers come from a dozen Massachusetts towns and cities. 

The chorus is non-auditioned and is open to all people regardless of ethnicity or religious background who are interested in learning and performing music from the rich and varied Judaic cultures of Israel and the Jewish Diaspora.

In this video, the Shir Joy Chorus sings Shalom Aleichem.

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. 

Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Rita Rudner 40 Years Ago in a Young Comedians Show

We've been big fans of Rita Rudner ever since she started to appear on late night TV in the 1980s.

One of the hallmarks of her comedy is that it's clean, free from the vulgarity and shouting that many stand-up comics find necessary.  Her delivery is demure, tasteful, full of wry observations, and very funny.

Rudner started her career as a dancer, then switched to stand-up comedy about her dating experiences.  She married British producer Martin Bergman about 30 years ago and they have a daughter.  She is fond of Jewish humor but generally reserves it for when she performs for Jewish audiences.

Rita is 70 now and still performing in South Florida and other locations. We came across a video clip of her in a 1984 Rodney Dangerfield's 9th Annual Young Comedians Special and we're sharing it with you today.

 

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. 

   

#Throwback Thursday      #TBT

A Prayer for the IDF After 100 Days of War by Cantor Hershtik, the Maccabeats, and Four Childrens' Choirs

Marking 100 days since October 7th, War Cabinet Minster, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, Cantor Netanel Hershtik and the Maccabeats joined in prayer for the IDF.

Cantor Hershtik and the Maccabeats are joined by the childrens' choirs of the Harkham Hillel Academy of Los Angeles, California, Yavneh of Paramus, New Jersey, Yeshiva College of Johannesburg, South Africa, and Jacob Spadaro and TABC Studio 1600 choir of Teaneck, New Jersey.

Am Yisrael Chai. Bring the hostages home now!

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.

Yonina, Singers Separated by War, Sing of Hope for Better Days

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. 

Melaketet Kochavim (Gathering Stars) is a new original song, telling their story, from the morning of October 7th when everything changed, through the past months, with Yoni away in the reserves and Nina at home, the distance and challenges and the hope for better days. The Hebrew lyrics and English translation appear below the video.

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.

   

הייתי בדרך לבית כנסת כשעלית על מדים ובפינת הרחוב נפרדת ממני ומהילדים הסברתי שאבא עכשיו צריך לשמור, ולא רציתי שידעו ממה ובדרך אנשים שאלו מה אתם עושים בחוץ, פרצה מלחמה ועכשיו- אני אוספת את כל הכוחות של חסד ושל אמונה שעוד יבואו ימים של טוב שעוד תשוב אלינו הרינה ומחבקת חזק ת׳ילדים רק להגן מהסופות שבחוץ ובתוך הטירוף מול שמיים שחורים מלקטת כוכבים בלילות הראשונים לא ישנתי, דרוך על המשמר חתמתי על ציוד בעולם מקביל, נפרדתי מכל מה שמוכר יש כאן אחוות לוחמים וימים מתישים מבלי לדעת מה יהיה מחר שבועות כבר הפכו חודשים, ובכל זאת נשארים עד שהאופק יואר ועכשיו אני שולח לך ים של כוחות של חסד ושל אמונה שעוד יבואו ימים של טוב, שעוד תשוב אלינו הרינה אז תחבקי חזק ת׳ילדים רק להגן מהסופות שבחוץ ובתוך הטירוף מול שמיים שחורים מלקט לך כוכבים ולמרות הגעגוע אלייך ולמרות שקשה כאן לבד לפעמים כדי לנצח ביחד צריך לעמוד בנפרד כל אחד בחזית שלו עד הניצחון אז לעכשיו, אני אוספת את כל הכוחות… 

 

I was on my way to synagogue (Shul) when you put on your uniform 

and at the corner of the street you said goodbye to me and to the children 

I explained that daddy now needs to go protect 

and I didn’t want them to know from what 

and on the way, people asked us what are you doing outside 

a war has broken out 

So now I am gathering all of my strength of kindness, and of faith that good days are yet to come 

that the songs of joy will return to us and I hug the children tightly to protect from the storms outside and in all the craziness under black skies I gather stars 

The first few nights I didn’t sleep 

Cautious, on the guard I signed on to equipment in a parallel world 

I left everything that was familiar Here the is brotherhood of warriors and exhausting days 

without knowing what tomorrow will bring 

Weeks have turned to months And yet we still stay Until the horizon is lit up 

And although I miss you And although it’s hard here alone 

Sometimes in order to prevail together It’s necessary to stand separately 

Each on his/her own front Till we prevail 

A Joke to Start the Week - "Alphabetical Praise"

It's another Monday and time for another Joke to Start the Week. Today we're sharing a joke by Rabbi Yosef Yitzchak (YY) Jacobson, one of America's premier Jewish scholars in Torah and Jewish mysticism.

Rabbi Jacobson, an American Chabad rabbi from Monsey, New York, is one of the most sought after speakers in the Jewish world today, lecturing to Jewish and non-Jewish audiences on six continents and in forty states, and serving as teacher and mentor to thousands across the globe. He is considered to be one of the most successful, passionate and mesmerizing communicators of Judaism today, culling his ideas from the entire spectrum of Jewish thought and making them relevant to contemporary audiences. 

He served as editor-in-chief of the Algemeiner Journal, and as a choizer (transcriber) for Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson.

He also loves to tell jokes, and today we're sharing a joke that focuses on the alphabet.

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.

Mel Brooks Receives an Honorary Oscar Award and Tribute From Matthew Broderick and Nathan Lane

On January 9 an Honorary Oscar statuette was presented to Mel Brooks at the Academy's 14th Governors Awards ceremony in Los Angeles.

At the ceremony, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick honored the iconic producer, writer, and actor with some comedy and song created just for him.

Here is their tribute to Mel Brooks, followed by Brooks receiving the Oscar and giving his acceptance comments.

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 Esther Kustanowitz for bringing these videos to our attention)

Welcoming Shabbat with a Middle Eastern Version of Adon Olam by Cantor Azi Schwartz

If your synagogue is anything like ours, the Shabbat service ends with Adon Olam.  This is usually led by a prepubescent boy with questionable pitch, key, and general singing ability.

This is good for the kid educationally, and should be encouraged.  Musically, however, it's not always the best way to lift spirits for the rest of Shabbat and the week ahead.

But it's not that way around the world.  Adon Olam has become a staple of many singers, choruses, bands, and other musical troupes, both in synagogue and on the concert stage.

Back in 2010 we started a new series, presenting renditions of Adon Olam from performers worldwide, including traditional and eclectic versions.  Since then we have posted 88 different versions to provide you with a fun way to start Shabbat. 

Today we find ourselves back in the USA, at New York's Park Avenue Synagogue, with Cantor Azi Schwartz giving us a version of Adon Olam with a middle eastern flair.

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.

Yiddish Word of the Day: "On the Contrary"

In 2020 the Forverts launched a daily 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 2020. Now that the Forverts is continuing the series, we'll continue sharing some of the words and phrases as a regular feature of Jewish Humor Central.

Today we get to learn some of the most colorful expressions in the Yiddish language - the many ways of saying "on the contrary."

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 Special: Restaurant Gives Customers Pagers to Use Restroom 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 2002 episode set in Katz's Delicatessen in New York City, diners who want to use the restroom are given pagers that go off when the facility is available.

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.

See Jewish Humor Central Live in Boca Raton, Florida Starting Next Thursday January 18

If you're a fan of Jewish Humor Central and happen to be in South Florida this winter, you can see Blogger-in-Chief Al Kustanowitz present a series of four 90 minute programs at Florida Atlantic University's Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) in Boca Raton, starting on January 18.

The programs, Saturday Night Live: The Funny Years, will be a walk down memory lane through the first 25 years of Saturday Night Live. 

While for 48 years SNL has had a major impact on pop culture, critics agree that the first 25 years were by far the funniest and most relevant. The combination of sketch comedy, featured performers, guest hosts, and mock commercials has been a winning formula for creating memorable characters that have become household names. 

Each lecture in this 4-week series will profile the cast members, tracing their routes to the show, watching their auditions and screen tests, and revisiting their most popular characters in action. So come prepared to laugh out loud at the genius of those comedy standouts like Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Eddie Murphy, Martin Short, and Phil Hartman, just to mention a few!

Lectures

1. 1975-1980: The Not Ready for Prime-Time Players - Chevy Chase, Gilda Radner, John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Jane Curtin, Garrett Morris, Laraine Newman, and Bill Murray.
2. 1980-1985: The Second SNL Generation Arrives - Eddie Murphy as Buckwheat and Mister Robinson, Don Novello as Father Guido Sarducci, Joe Piscopo and Robin Duke as Doug and Wendy Whiner.
3. 1985-1990: The Third SNL Generation Takes Over - Billy Crystal as Fernando, Martin Short as Nathan Thurm, Ed Grimley, Jeremy Glick, and Jon Lovitz as Hanukkah Harry.
4. 1990-2000: To the New Millennium - Phil Hartman, Kevin Nealon, Mike Myers, Julia Sweeney, Chris Farley, Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Rachel Dratz, Maya Rudolph, and Tina Fey.

The lectures are from 3 pm to 4:30 pm on Thursdays from January 18 through February 8 at FAU's Friedberg Auditorium in the Lifelong Learning Building. Entrance to the University is at 777 Glades Road in Boca Raton. Admission at the door is $30 for each lecture and $80 for the series. Members can purchase series tickets in advance for $60.

So bring your friends and let's meet afterwards to share some laughs at the conclusion of the program.

Here's a sample of what you'll see:

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 - "Whatever You Want"

It's another Monday and time for another Joke to Start the Week. Today Mickey Greenblatt is back with another good one.

Marshal (Mickey) Greenblatt received degrees from Columbia (BA and BS in Flight Sciences), a DC from Von Karman Institute (1963) and his PhD from Princeton in Aerospace Sciences. He worked as a researcher for NASA and the Naval Research Laboratory. 

With four other scientists, he founded Fusion Systems Corporation, which invented microwave-powered UV lamps for drying coatings. He founded and served on the boards of technology companies and is active in volunteer work. He served on the executive committee of the Jewish Council for the Aging of Greater Washington for many years.

Mickey also loves Jewish jokes and sent us this one to share with you. Here's the setup: A few men were getting dressed in the locker room of the golf club and all of a sudden a cell phone rang. 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.

Prank Call Accuses Yale University of Cultural Appropriation in Using Hebrew Phrase "Urim v'Tummim" as their Logo

After it was announced that Yale University was removing the word "Israeli" from its menu, a prank call was made to the Yale president's office by an Israeli prankster accusing the university of cultural appropriation for using the Hebrew phrase Urim v'Tummim on the school's logo.

The caller tells the hapless Yale employee that Israel considers this to be copyright violation and cultural harassment and demands that the Hebrew letters from the logo be removed and be replaced with another Hebrew phrase that translates to We are a stupid university.

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.

Welcoming Shabbat with Yismechu Sung by Cantor Yaakov Motzen

Cantor Yaakov Motzen is a native of Tel Aviv and the fifth generation of a family of Cantors. He attended the Kol Torah, Be’er Yaakov and Ponovezh yeshivot in Israel and studied music and vocal technique with the late Yosef Goland, the principal baritone in the Berlin opera in the late 1920’s. He also studied liturgy with the renowned Cantor Yitzchak Eshel, obm. Additionally, he served in the Israel Defense Forces.

Cantor Motzen served as vice president of the Nachala organization from 1973-1978, which was dedicated to entertaining wounded soldiers. Cantor Motzen held the position of Chief Cantor in Givatayim, Haifa, and Ramat Gan, and sang on Kol Yisrael radio and television.

Cantor Motzen served Congregation Shomrim Laboker-Beth Yehuda-Shaarei Tefillah and the Adath Israel Poalei Zedek Congregation in Montreal. From 1997 to 2005 he served as the Cantor of Shaarei Shomayim Congregation in Toronto, Canada. 

Since 2005, he has been the Chazzan at The Shul of Bal Harbour, Florida. Cantor Motzen has performed in concert in many parts of the world, and he has become a favorite of guests of many kosher cruises.

In this video Cantor Motzen sings Yismechu from the Shabbat liturgy.

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.

Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: The Catholic University of Korea Veritas Choir Sings "Hava Nagila"

We continue to be amazed by the number of countries where Hava Nagila has been performed. This is the 120th rendition of the popular Hebrew song that we've posted since starting Jewish Humor Central in 2009.

Here's the latest version that we just found, a concert performance a few days ago by the Veritas Choir of the Catholic University of Korea.

The Catholic University of Korea is a private Roman Catholic university  in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. It was established in 1855. The Catholic University of Korea operates campuses in Seoul and in the neighboring Bucheon City. The university's school of medicine operates eight affilIated hospitals throughout the country.

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.

1,000 Israeli Musicians in Caesaria Homeland Concert to Bring Hostages Home

When producer Talya Yarom thought about a giant production of musicians playing and singing for the hostages held captive in Gaza, she kept thinking about bringing 1,000 musicians and singers together.

As Jessica Steinberg wrote in The Times of Israel,

“One thousand sounds good,” said Yarom. “It’s a good place to get to, and 1,000 musicians in Caesarea, which to me is a symbol of the beautiful Israel.”

On December 18, Yarom brought together 1,000 musicians, old and young, rockers and classical players, amateurs and professionals, to the Caesarea amphitheater for a day of recording and filming.

The result is “Homeland Concert,” with a medley of lyrics from Ehud Manor’s classic song, “Home” and part of “Hatikva,” Israel’s national anthem, composed by Yair Klinger and melded into one work arranged by Eran Mitelman, with the orchestral arrangement by Ron Klein and directed by Shilo Gallay and Danny Casson.

But the concept was Yarom’s, a veteran of outdoor productions who felt that she had to bring something big and beautiful “to warm everyone’s frozen hearts” after the vicious Hamas terrorist attacks of October 7, when some 1,200 people were killed by gunmen in a widespread assault in the Gaza border communities, and another 240 people taken captive to Gaza.

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.

Actor Ben Stiller Tells Actress and Game Show Host Mayim Bialik His Favorite Yiddish Words

Mayim Bialik is best known for her lead role as Blossom Russo in the 1990s NBC sitcom Blossom, as well as Amy Farrah Fowler on the CBS comedy, The Big Bang Theory, for which she garnered 2 Critics’ Choice Award wins, a SAG nomination, and 4 Emmy nominations.

Bialik and her company, Sad Clown Productions, produced the FOX show Call Me Kat, which she starred in for three seasons. She has been hosting Jeopardy! since 2021 which won the Critics’ Choice Award for ‘Best Game Show’ in 2023.

Along with her partner, Jonathan Cohen, Bialik hosts a successful podcast, Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown, breaking down myths about mental health; the podcast has 20 million downloads and counting. 

In a recent interview on her podcast, actor and comedian Ben Stiller revealed his favorite Yiddish words and Bialik suggested a new one.

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 - "Pit Bull"

It's another Monday and time for another Joke to Start the Week. This week we're posting another 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:  A guy has this big mangy yellow dog, and he's out taking a walk with it in a really bad part of town. 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.

Wishing You a Happy New Year (Again) with "Bashana Haba'ah" by Cantors Azi Schwartz and Mira Davis

Here we are on another erev Rosh Hashanah (actually New Year's Eve) with wishes for all of our readers for a Happy New Year. We're lucky to have two occasions each year for sharing these good wishes, our own Rosh Hashanah in September and the secular New Year in January.

To get the secular New Year off to a good start, we're sharing a video recorded at New York's Park Avenue Synagogue on erev Rosh Hashanah this year by Cantors Azi Schwartz and Mira Davis of the popular Israeli song Bashana Haba'ah with words by Ehud Manor and music by Nurit Hirsch.

Once again, a happy and healthy New Year to all and may it be a year of success for Israel in defending and protecting Am Yisrael!

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.

Welcoming Shabbat with Ana Bekoach Sung by Hila Ben David

It's Friday again and time to welcome another Shabbat. Today we're sharing a beautiful rendition of the Kabbalistic prayer Ana Bekoach.

The singer is Hila Ben David.

Ana Bekoach is a liturgical poem from the Kabbalat Shabbat service that appears in the siddur just before Lecha Dodi. It's a Kabbalistic prayer composed by Rav Nehunia Ben Hakannah.

Known as the 42-letter Name of God, Ana Bekoach is a unique formula built of 42 letters written in seven sentences of six words each. Each of the seven sentences correspond to the seven days of the week, seven specific angels, and to a particular heavenly body. The letters that make up Ana Bekoach are encoded within the first 42 letters of the book of Genesis.

The kabbalists explain that this combination of letters takes us back to the time of Creation, and each time we meditate on a particular sequence, we return to the original uncorrupted energy that built the world. By performing the Ana Bekoach meditation, we enrich our lives with unadulterated spiritual light and positive energy.

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.

Throwback Thursday Musical Special: The Barry Sisters Sing "All of You"

For almost half a century, from the 1930s to 1976, The Barry Sisters, Claire and Merna, were the voice of Jewish jazz in recordings, nightclub acts, and television appearances on The Jack Paar Show, The Tonight Show, and The Ed Sullivan Show.

Born in the Bronx to Yiddish speaking immigrants from Kiev, Clara and Minnie Bagelman started out in show business using their real names as The Bagelman Sisters, but after awhile, Clara became Claire, Minnie became Merna, and Bagelman became Barry. They performed songs in nine languages.

Looking glamorous and sparing no expense for their orchestrations, they sang to a full house at the Concord and other Catskills resorts.

In this Throwback Thursday special, Claire and Merna perform Cole Porter's "All of You" from "Silk Stockings" in a 1963 TV appearance.

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.

 

   #Throwback Thursday       #TBT

Daniel Ahaviel, Hasidic Violinist, Performs at Kikar Hamusica in Jerusalem

We've been following the career of the amazing Hasidic Israeli fiddler Daniel Ahaviel ever since we discovered one of his early YouTube videos in 2010 and posted it on Jewish Humor Central.

His fame and his audiences keep growing as does our amazement at his boundless energy, his synthesis of Jewish, Irish, and bluegrass music, and finding that his talent comes from British secular musical roots.

Last year he performed at Kikar Hamusica, a modern complex in the picturesque Nachalat Shiva neighborhood in central Jerusalem and one of the most enchanting places to visit. Every day there are live performances in the square, the repertoire of performances in the square is wide and comprehensive, including rock n ‘roll, samba, klezmer, reggae, pop and Hasidic music.  

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.

Prank Call to Harvard University Asks if They Have a Terrorist Scholarship

A video of a prank call to the Harvard University admissions office, made by an Israeli comedian who pretends to be the mother of a Hamas terrorist, racked up millions of views on various platforms within 24 hours of its publication.

The illustrated clip produced by Racheli Rottner was the latest Israeli dig at American universities, which have come under fire for tolerating activities from students seen as downplaying the October 7 terror onslaught, supporting Hamas and targeting Jewish students on campus.

The call, reported in The Times of Israel and which Rottner says is authentic, features a mother named Jaama whose son Hamid is angling to attend Harvard on a terrorist scholarship.

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 - "What Did You Learn in School Today?

It's Monday again, and time for another Joke to Start the Week. Today we're sharing a joke told by Rabbi Avrohom Rapoport, also known as Rabbi Raps. Rabbi Rapoport is the spiritual Leader of the Chabad Ventnor Shul at the New Jersey shore. 

He is a graduate of the Rabbinical College of America and received his Rabbinical Ordination in 2003. Rabbi Rapoport is also the director of the Jewish Learning Institute of Atlantic County. 

Here's the setup: A young boy went to school for the first time. His mommy walked him to the school and said to him "My shepseleh, my zeeskeit, bubbeleh, be a good boy in school today." 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.

Tovah Feldshuh's One Woman Show "Aging is Optional" Comes to Pompano Beach January 11-12

If you're spending January in South Florida, you'll have a unique opportunity to see the award-winning actress Tovah Feldshuh in her acclaimed one-woman show Aging is Optional at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center on January 11 and 12, 2024. If you're wintering elsewhere, we're sharing a 10 minute excerpt from the show right here. 

In this video clip, Feldshuh portrays a range of characters from Mama Lily and Grandma Ada to a French nightclub singer to Naomi Bunch in My Crazy Ex-Girlfriend to broadcaster Sylvia Chronic and others.

Tovah Feldshuh is a six-time Emmy & Tony nominee and has been awarded three honorary Doctorates of Humane Letters. Additionally, for her theatre work, she has won four Drama Desks, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, three Dramalogues, the Obie, the Theatre World, and the Helen Hayes and Lucille Lortel Awards for Best Actress. 

She has recently been twice nominated as Best Actress in a Drama in Los Angeles for her work in the play Sisters-in-Law, in which she originated the role of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She recently starred in Funny Girl on Broadway as Rosie Brice. 

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.