Friday, December 14, 2018

Welcoming Shabbat with Benji Rafaeli and His Chai 5 Orchestra


Shalom Aleichem has been one of the most popular songs that we post to welcome Shabbat each week. Today marks the 24th time that we are posting still another rendition of this poetic welcome that's part of the Kabbalat Shabbat service. It's by Benji Rafaeli and his Chai 5 Orchestra.

Benji Rafaeli was born in to a musical family and till today carries on their musical tradition. Benji sings in 18 different languages, plays the guitar, piano, organ, drums and other instruments. His music has touched hearts around the world. His previous solo albums include The Moshiach and Standing Tall America.

The Benji Rafaeli Orchestra has been thrilling audiences with live music for over twenty years. Benji excels at providing several types of music for events. Jewish, Russian, DJ & Dance Music, Show Tunes, Contemporary, Pop, World, and Israeli music are all his specialties.


We've seen Benji perform a few times at Waterways, an outdoor mall in Aventura, Florida. He plays and sings while the snowbirds dance around his bandstand. Maybe we'll see him again this winter when we head down to Florida for another round of Jewish humor lectures for seniors in Deerfield Beach and a lecture on The Great Jewish Comedians at Florida Atlantic University on March 6.

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.





Thursday, December 13, 2018

Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca in "The Hickenloopers: The Phone Messages"


It's Throwback Thursday again and today we get another chance to go back 67 years to 1951 and another episode of The Hickenloopers on Your Show of Shows.

Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca starred in many episodes of the hilarious marital tribulations of Doris and Charlie Hickenlooper.

In this sketch, Doris Hickenlooper (Imogene Coca) gets into trouble with Charlie when she proves incapable of writing down his phone messages.

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

Wednesday, December 12, 2018

You Know You Are Dating an Israeli Man When...


There's a YouTube channel called Dating Beyond Borders that focuses on dating around the world. It has some funny insights into dating in different cultures.

The format is "You know you are dating an ____ man or woman when..." and then shows some stereotypical examples of dating situations.
 
One of the countries they profile is Israel and illustrate what it means to date an Israeli with video vignettes of dates in progress.

Back in October we posted a video vignette called You know you are dating an Israeli woman when...

Today we're back with the reverse situation: You know you are dating an Israeli man when...

Are they exaggerating? You probably know the truth.

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.


Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Evolution of Jewish Dating: From Eliezer's Shidduch for Yitzchak and Rivkah to the Robotic Future


Jewish matchmaking has been going on for thousands of years, and it comedians Meir Kay and Mendy Pellin have collaborated in a survey of the Jewish dating scene from Biblical times to the present day.

Starting with Eliezer's quest for a bride for Yitzchak, and revisiting the story of Jacob, Rachel, and Leah, the two comics show how the urge to merge has developed to include rabbinic romance, speed dating, online dating, smartphone app dating, and robotic dating in the future.

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.



Monday, December 10, 2018

Jimmy Kimmel Asks Kids on the Street What They Know About Chanukah


Last week on the second night of Chanukah late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel took to the streets of New York to ask random kids questions about Chanukah.

Most children who don't celebrate Chanukah are familiar with the story of Christmas, but they are less educated about the miracle of Chanukah. So Jimmy's crew went out on the street and asked kids who don't celebrate Hanukkah to tell us what they know about it.

- What is Chanukah?
- Have you heard of Jewish people?
- Why doesn't Santa bring any of the Jewish kids toys?
- Can you spell Hanukkah?
- Would you like to meet a Jewish person?
- Do you know any Hanukkah songs?

Enjoy the last day of Chanukah!

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.
  


Sunday, December 9, 2018



Nir Sarussi and Ariella Zeitlin are an Israeli virtuoso duo of performers who perform internationally for all kinds of crowds. This week they showed up in Zion Square in Jerusalem to play a medley of Chanukah songs. 

The violinists found an enthusiastic audience for their renditions of the classic songs in an Irish tempo reminiscent of Riverdance.

Zion Square, at the junction of Ben Yehuda and Jaffa streets, is where you're likely to find all kinds of musicians and entertainers any time of the day or night. It's one of the pleasures of living in and visiting Jerusalem.

Enjoy as we celebrate the seventh day of Chanukah!


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.





Friday, December 7, 2018

White House Hosts Two Hanukkah Parties to Light the Fifth Candle


Yesterday President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump hosted an afternoon and an evening Hanukkah party at the White House. All Jewish members of Congress were invited and the fifth candle was lit at each party, by a chaplain and by a Chabad rabbi.

The party included songs sung by the Y-Studs, the Yeshiva a cappella group whose songs we have posted here on Jewish Humor Central.

The president's remarks focused on our relationship with the State of Israel, recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and the swift opening of the new United States Embassy.

Welcoming Ivanka and Jared Kushner, he said "I'm also proud that the Jewish faith is so deeply woven into the fabric of my family. It's a great honor."

Each of the parties lasted more than an hour, and the full videos are available on YouTube. We'll include the links below so if you have the time you can watch both of them. If you're not inclined to spend so much time with them, here is a short version of one of the parties.

Happy Hanukkah 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.



FULL VIDEO OF THE HANUKKAH PARTIES BELOW:






Thursday, December 6, 2018

Throwback Thursday Chanukah Special: Supreme Court Justice Elana Kagan's Response at Confirmation Hearing



When Supreme Court Justice Elana Kagan was going through her confirmation hearings in 2010, it was Senator Lindsey Graham's turn, and the subject was the Christmas Day bomber. Senator Graham asked her where she was on Christmas day.

After Kagan asked for a clarification, Graham persisted and said that he only asked where she was on Christmas. Kagan's response was priceless.


"You know, like all Jews, I was probably at a Chinese restaurant."


Enjoy, and Happy Chanukah!


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

Wednesday, December 5, 2018

Israel's Technion Students Use Robotics and Technology to Celebrate Hanukkah


Nobody can accuse the students and faculty of Israel's Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa of taking the easy way out when it comes to observing Jewish holidays.

Through the years we've posted their unique videos of technology experiments for Hanukkah and Passover. Now they have a new take on all aspects of celebrating Chanukah....making latkes, spinning a dreidel, acting out the battle of Maccabees and Greeks, making sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and lighting the Chanukah menorah. 

And all without a human touch. Well, almost all. They still needed a team member to place the shamash in its central place in the Chanukiyah. 

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.


Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Here Come the Chanukah Videos: The Maccabeats sing the Dreidel Song in 8 Musical Genres


Originally formed in 2007 as Yeshiva University’s student vocal group, the Maccabeats have emerged as both Jewish music and a cappella phenomena, with a large fanbase, more than 20 million views on YouTube, numerous TV appearances, and proven success with four albums.

After years of performing parodies of pop songs with original lyrics, the Maccabeats have taken on the Chanukah classic I Have a Little Dreidel with the original lyrics and sing it in eight different musical styles: Big Band, Bluegrass, HipHop, the 80s, Blues, Classical, Reggaeton, and Gospel.

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.


Monday, December 3, 2018

30 Chanukah Puns to Start the Week - A Chanukah Special from Alma


On Mondays we usually start off the week with an old Jewish joke, or a joke told by an old Jew, or ...you get the idea. But this Monday is the first day of Chanukah, so we're starting the week off with something a little different -- 30 Chanukah puns in 60 seconds.

The idea comes from Alma, a new website aimed at young Jewish women. Alma [ahl-ma] is a Hebrew word meaning a woman of childbearing age who has not had kids. Alma, the website, is a new online community for Jewish women trying to figure this whole adult thing out.

For Jewish Humor Central, Alma is another source for funny Jewish material to share with our readers. For this one, you'll have to listen fast or replay the video a few times to get all the puns. 

The punster is Sam Corbin, a Brooklyn-based writer, comedian, and performer. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Vulture, Reductress, and Brokelyn. She performs in various comedy shows around New York City and co-hosts Quitters, a monthly show at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg. 


We'll give you a head start with interpreting the first sentence, and you'll have to take it from there. Watch the upper left corner of the video to get the references while she is speaking.

Festival, it's been a rough year, and Hanukkah believe I got through it.
(Translation: First of all, it's been a rough year, and I can't believe I got through it.) 
That's as far as we'll go with pun translation. You're on your own for the rest.

The punster is Sam Corbin, a Brooklyn-based writer, comedian, and performer. Her work has appeared in The New Yorker, Vulture, Reductress, and Brokelyn. She performs in various comedy shows around New York City and co-hosts Quitters, a monthly show at Pete’s Candy Store in Williamsburg.

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.

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Actress Mayim Bialik Makes Traditional and Progressive Latkes for Chanukah


Actress Mayim Bialik, a key cast member of the popular sitcom The Big Bang Theory, is getting ready for Chanukah by making latkes at home, and she posted a video of the process for her fans to share.

We light the first Hanukkah candle tonight, and if you haven't already grated your potatoes, Mayim shows a shortcut -- out of the box latkes (The Manischewitz box, that is).

After making the traditional ones, she offers Millennials something more daring -- Avocado toast latkes and Buffalo latkes.

Enjoy, and have a happy Hanukkah!

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.




Friday, November 30, 2018

Welcoming Shabbat with a Cappella Lecha Dodi by Pittsburgh Hillelujah


Hillelujah is a relatively new a cappella group established in 2015. The group is comprised of students from Carnegie Mellon University, University of Pittsburgh and Point Park.

Hillel Jewish University Center is currently conducting auditions for the Hillelujah a cappella group. All Jewish students from Pittsburgh colleges and universities are welcome to try out for the group. 

In this video, Hillelujah sings one of the traditional melodies for Lecha Dodi, a hymn sung to welcome Shabbat every Friday night. The music is Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah and the arrangement is based on a Pentatonix video.

Sing along and Enjoy. 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.  


Thursday, November 29, 2018

Throwback Thursday Chanukah Comedy Special: Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy Tells the Chanukah Story on Saturday Night Live


One of our favorite characters on Saturday Night Live is Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy, played to perfection by actress/comedian Vanessa Bayer.

Despite Seth Meyers’ best efforts, Jacob the Bar Mitzvah Boy (Vanessa Bayer) can’t break away from his prepared speech about the miracle of Hanukkah... which is almost as big a miracle as his mom leaving a sale empty-handed. 

This skit is from 2013, Vanessa's third year as a cast member.

With this video clip, we continue our funny Chanukah-themed videos and also add to our Throwback Thursday collection.

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 






Wednesday, November 28, 2018

Here Come the Chanukah Videos: Six13 Sings "Bohemian Chanukah" - A Tribute to and Parody of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody


Six13 is a groundbreaking, six-man a cappella vocal band that brings an unprecedented 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.

They’re 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. 

Six13 has recorded an Chanukah-inspired parody of Bohemian Rhapsody, the pop song made famous by the British rock band Queen and viewed more than 700 million times on YouTube.

It's one of the best Chanukah music videos that we've seen so far this year.

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.