Comedy Special: Comedian Gary Gulman's Report on Yom Kippur

 

Gary Gulman is a funny stand-up comedian whom we featured here previously. We got many requests to bring him back with other routines, so here he is again.

In an interview by the JDate editorial team published online, Gulman reflected on how he includes Jewish themes in his comedy. 

Judaism plays an enormous role in my life. It’s a great contributor to my identity. It’s common ground I share with many of my friends and a lot of the people I work with, partially by osmosis — being around people with certain values which my family shares, Jewish values and Jewish culture — as well as going to Hebrew school and reading and learning more about Judaism… going to Israel.

In this clip Gulman gives us his reaction to the Al Chet recitations on Yom Kippur and the relevance of the confessions to actual deeds done.

 

Enjoy! 

 

Yom Kippur Starts Tonight - Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot Sings Kol Nidrei

Every year when Yom Kippur comes around, we search the internet for something appropriate to post. Jokes just aren't right for the most serious and spiritual day of the Jewish year, and the music videos that appear in the weeks before the other holidays either don't appear for Yom Kippur or seem inappropriate for the awesomeness of the day.

So we're left with Kol Nidrei, which has been sung and recorded by almost every cantor and singer in the world, including the great Jewish cantors and popular singers such as Neil Diamond, Johnny Mathis, and Perry Como.


Most of our readers will hear Kol Nidre chanted three times tonight when they attend their local house of worship, and the melody will be the same, regardless of whether it's Orthodox, Conservative, or Reform. Today we're posting a version of this traditional start to Yom Kippur because some of our readers can't get to their shul, synagogue, or temple because of illness or physical limitations.

This year we're sharing a version by Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot, Chief Cantor of New York's Park East Synagogue. 

Admired for his incredible range, Chief Cantor Yitzchak Meir Helfgot is beloved and revered as one of the greatest and most important cantorial voices of the 21st century. He enthralls audiences all over the world with his passion and unbounded joy in bringing sacred Jewish music and opera classics to life.

Cantor Helfgot was born in Tel Aviv, Israel. From the tender age of five, after hearing Moshe Koussevitzky’s recording of “Akavia Ben Mahalalel,” Yitzchak Meir knew what his life’s calling would be. At just eight years old, Cantor Helfgot recorded his first works, and then spent much of his childhood and teenage years studying voice and nussach (the art of prayer).

We hope this melody puts you in the proper mood to experience a meaningful day of prayer and reflection. G'mar Chatimah Tovah! 

Rosh Hashanah Countdown - 3 Days to Go; Let's Start With a Song

Where did the time go? In three days Jews around the world will mark the start of the New Year 5787 as we welcome Rosh Hashanah, the start of the Yamim Noraim (Days of Awe). Ten days later we will observe Yom Kippur followed by the holiday of Sukkot.

Counting down to the High Holiday season, let's start with Shana Tova, a song posted by Brian M. Jacobs.

Enjoy!

Shavuot Starts Tonight! A Holiday of Torah Learning (and Cheesecake)

The holiday of Shavuot starts tonight. Although the two day holiday (one day in Israel) commemorates the giving and receiving of the Torah, it is the least well known and the least observed of the three pilgrimage festivals.

Shavuot doesn't have the vibrant visual symbolism of Pesach and Sukkot. Besides the festive meals that are part of every Jewish holiday, there is an emphasis on all night study and the reading of the Megillah of Ruth in the synagogue.

Here's a refresher from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, offering six facts about the holiday, one of which we didn't know about until today. 

We'll be observing the two days of Shavuot tomorrow and on Shabbat, attending classes, eating cheesecake, and reading the Megillah of Ruth with new insight. We'll be back on Sunday with our usual mix.

Shabbat shalom and chag sameach!

Argentina's President Javier Milei Lights Torch and Sings at Israel's Independence Day Celebration

Today is Yom HaAtzmaut, Israel's 78th Independence Day. Last night, at the conclusion of Yom Hazikaron, the traditional torch-lighting ceremony took place at Jerusalem's Mount Herzl.

As The Times of Israel reported,

Assorted dignitaries and hundreds of flag-waving spectators flooded into the makeshift stadium at Mount Herzl, marking the return of a live audience to the ceremony for the first time since 2023, with war and wildfires having kept them away for the past two years.

Among those in attendance were Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his wife Sara, Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana, Supreme Court Chief Justice Isaac Amit and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir. Joining them was Argentina's President Javier Milei, who was selected to light a torch at the ceremony — the first time the honor has been bestowed on a foreign leader.

Before delivering a short speech praising Israel and its relationship with Argentina, Milei enthusiastically joined Israeli singers in performing the Spanish song Libre, made popular by singer Nino Bravo. 

Yom HaAtzmaut sameach!

Timeless Tuesday Passover Nostalgia: Rare 1964 Recordings by Geula Gill and Yehoram Gaon

As we get ready for the last days of this Passover holiday, let's travel back in time 62 years to Israel in 1964 where Israeli singers Geula Gill and Yehoram Gaon recorded some Pesach songs which are now rare recordings.

They sing Betzet Yisrael Mimitzrayim, Yatzanu Mimitzrayim, Be'egozim, and Adir Hu.

We hope you enjoyed our Pesach postings. Jewish Humor Central will not be posting on Wednesday and Thursday. We'll be observing the last two days of this Chag and we'll be back with our usual mix on Friday.

Enjoy, and Chag Kasher v'Sameach!

Here Come the Pasover Videos - Six13 Sings A Michael Jackson Passover

Pesach is coming, and it's coming soon. In six days we will be sitting down to the seder in Israel, and the first of two sedarim in the diaspora. To get in the mood, we will be sharing some new music videos for the holiday right here on Jewish Humor Central. Today we start with Six13's latest entry, A Michael Jackson Passover.

Anchored by a strong Jewish identity and driven by a mission to connect Jews around the globe with their heritage through music, professional Jewish a cappella group Six13 are the originators of today's Jewish a cappella sound. 

They've performed to rave reviews at the White House, and many more at synagogues, religious schools, JCCs, fundraising events, B'nai Mitzvah and private affairs alike. They’ve appeared all over mainstream media, been cited by Billy Joel and Bruno Mars, received numerous awards for their eight best-selling CDs, been selected as finalists for casting in NBC's "The Sing-Off", and garnered more than 20 million views online.

As we start the countdown to next Wednesday's seder, come and moonwalk right out of Egypt with Six13's Pesach homage to the King of Pop. Ponder the meaning of maror and... Bubbe Jeanne ??? 

Enjoy!

Happy Purim! Today we Welcome This Joyous Holiday with the Kol Kaveret Choir of SAR High School

Today is the long awaited holiday of Purim. We're welcoming this Yom Tov by singing the traditional prayer Al Hanissim together with the SAR High School  Kol Kaveret Choir in Riverdale, New York.

The video was recorded at the American Dream mall in New Jersey. 

Enjoy, and Chag Purim sameach to all of our readers!

Comedy Showcase: Standup Comedian Elon Gold Puts the Jew in July

We've been following Elon Gold and posting some of his shtick on Jewish Humor Central for the last 17 years. 

Elon is an American comedian, television actor, writer and producer. He starred in the television series Stacked.  He also starred in the short-lived sitcom In-Laws. 

 

Known for his impressions, including those of Jeff Goldblum, Howard Stern and Jay Leno, Gold was a judge on the ABC celebrity impersonation competition series The Next Best Thing. Gold was also in the movie Cheaper by the Dozen as a cameraman from the Oprah Winfrey show.

Gold attended the Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck, NY and the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (MTA)/Yeshiva University High School for Boys in Manhattan, NY. He is a practicing Orthodox Jew.

Today we're sharing a performance by Gold at The Laugh Factory in which he takes a deep dive into Jewish holidays and how they tell us when to be happy and when to be sad.

Enjoy!

Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Disney's Voices of Liberty Sing a Hanukkah Medley at Epcot Center in Florida

Every December, Voices of Liberty, the resident a cappella singing group at The American Adventure at Walt Disney World's Epcot Center gives a two minute nod to Hanukkah by singing a short medley including I Have a Little Dreidel and Hevenu Shalom Aleichem. 

The singing is exactly the same every year, down to the short introduction to the medley and the Dickens caroling costumes. But what did you expect? Spontaneity? It is Disney, after all, and Jewish visitors will likely be pleased at the inclusion of some blue and white in the otherwise red and green holiday festivities.

This video, recorded last week in Florida, is the conclusion of our annual Hanukkah video series. Tomorrow we'll be back with our usual mix of Jewish humor, music, nostalgia, and Yiddishe nachas.

Enjoy!

Here Come the Hanukkah Videos: The Miami Boys Choir Sings "Chanukah Nights"

The Miami Boys Choir was founded in Miami in 1977 by Yerachmiel Begun, a well-known Jewish composer and musician at the forefront of the Orthodox pop genre. 

Begun, a native New Yorker, moved the whole operation to New York City in 1980. MBC concerts are major events in the Jewish community, and in 1995 the group made Jewish music history when 15,000 people attended one of their shows at Nassau Coliseum.

Chananya Begun says his father composes all of the group’s songs – more than 500 and counting, including 32 full-length albums. 

In this video the Miami Boys Choir sings Chanukah Nights. Enjoy!

Walt Disney World's Epcot Center Celebrates Hanukkah Around the World

Every year Epcot Center at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida celebrates Hanukkah as part of its Festival of the Holidays. 

This year Hanukkah Storyteller Zachary dramatized the Hanukkah story and illustrated it with a medley of traditional songs including the Ladino song Ocho Candelas as sung in Argentina.

This presentation started on November 28 and will continue until December 30. 

Enjoy! 

Here Come the Hanukkah Videos: Dancing With the Stars Celebrates Hanukkah with Matisyahu's "Miracle"

Dancing with the Stars recently featured its first-ever Hanukkah-themed dance in a holiday special, choreographed by Jewish pro Alan Bersten to Matisyahu's "Miracle", incorporating menorahs, dreidels, and hora steps for a powerful moment of Jewish representation that resonated with viewers. 

Bersten, along with fellow Jewish dancer Val Chmerkovskiy and other pros, created the routine to make Jewish kids feel seen and proud, receiving praise as a milestone for the show's history. 

The dance included spinning oversized dreidels, formations resembling a menorah, and steps inspired by Jewish folk dances and Fiddler on the Roof.

IDF Rabbinate Band Welcomes Chanukah with a Medley of Israeli Chanukah Songs

The

IDF Rabbinate Band, officially known as the IDF Military Rabbinate Choir (or Ensemble), is a musical group that is part of the IDF Orchestra and the Military Rabbinate. It primarily performs at military ceremonies and events to strengthen the connection of soldiers, especially religious ones, to Jewish life and culture. 

The ensemble performs at various military functions, such as swearing-in and track-ending ceremonies, particularly in combat units with a high percentage of religious soldiers and commanders. It also visits wounded soldiers in hospitals to lift spirits.

The band maintains an active presence on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where videos of their performances, including covers and holiday-themed medleys, are shared. 

Yesterday they posted a medley of songs to celebrate the first night of Chanukah.

Enjoy!

Lighting the First Chanukah Candle with Maoz Tzur by Hila Ben David

Hila Ben David is an internationally acclaimed vocalist whose powerful voice transforms ancient prayers into contemporary soul-stirring music. Bridging the gap between Celine Dion-style vocals and spiritual Jewish melodies, she creates a unique sonic experience that resonates with audiences across 191 countries. 

Following a profound spiritual awakening in 2020, Ben David embarked on a bold musical journey, reimagining traditional prayers through modern arrangements. Her distinctive blend of pop vocal prowess and sacred texts has earned her millions of organic views and a devoted global following. 

Often compared to Enya and Celine Dion, her music serves as a bridge between worlds - where contemporary pop meets timeless wisdom and personal prayer meets universal emotions. Each song is crafted as a spiritual experience, designed to open hearts and elevate souls through the power of music.

Let's join Hila in welcoming the first candle of Chanukah with the traditional song Maoz Tzur.

Enjoy, and Chag Sameach!

Israeli Standup Comedy Special: Shahar Hason on Too Many Holidays

Shahar Hasson is one of the leading stand-up comedians in Israel, appearing on Israeli stages for over 25 years, He is a graduate of Yoram Levinstein's acting school. 

Shahar is an entertainer who paved his way through the best entertainment programs in Israel: Eretz Nehederet, Zahirut TV, TV at its best, Laughter from Work, Limited Edition, Fun Night, Express Hearts and more.

In this performance before a live audience, Shahar carries on about Jewish holidays --how there are so many of them, which is his favorite, and the wonders of Moroccan food.

Enjoy!

Comedy Showcase: Elon Gold on Fun and Not Fun Jewish Holidays

We've been following Elon Gold and posting some of his shtick on Jewish Humor Central for the last 15 years. 

Elon is an American comedian, television actor, writer and producer. He starred in the television series Stacked.  He also starred in the short-lived sitcom In-Laws. 

 

Known for his impressions, including those of Jeff Goldblum, Howard Stern and Jay Leno, Gold was a judge on the ABC celebrity impersonation competition series The Next Best Thing. Gold was also in the movie Cheaper by the Dozen as a cameraman from the Oprah Winfrey show.

Gold attended the Westchester Day School in Mamaroneck, NY and the Marsha Stern Talmudical Academy (MTA)/Yeshiva University High School for Boys in Manhattan, NY. He is a practicing Orthodox Jew.

Today we're sharing a video clip of Gold on stage in a short bit of observational comedy about two Jewish holidays that are not fun and what would happen if we had one holiday when the "Do Not's" become "Do's".

Enjoy!

 

YidLife Crisis Comedians Jamie and Eli Explain Shavuot, Which Starts Tonight

Jamie Elman & Eli Batalion are filmmakers, writers and performers hailing from Montreal with credits spanning 25 years of theater, music, television and film - from starring in Mad Men, House MD and Curb Your Enthusiasm to writing, directing and producing films shown at the Sundance, Toronto, Berlin and SXSW film festivals.

Their unique friendship spawned an irreverent tribute to the Yiddish language, culture and comedic tradition they were reared on. Calling it YidLife Crisis, they hatched the world’s first Yiddish sitcom, toasting, roasting and wrestling with the modern Jewish experience. Its popularity has led to various awards and nominations, over 4 million online views, frequent live performances across North America and Europe, and hours of documentary content covering their travels and the Jewish diaspora.

To get ready for Shavuot, which starts tonight for one day in Israel and two days in the diaspora, Jamie and Eli are back in Montreal to visit Rabbi Lisa Grushcow at Temple Emanu-El-Beth Sholom for a humorous discussion of the holiday and its association with cheesecake. See video below.

We will be observing Shavuot tonight, tomorrow, and Tuesday, so Jewish Humor Central is taking a few days off. We will be back with our usual mix on Wednesday.

Chag Shavuot sameach! 

A Salute to Israeli Films on Yom Yerushalayim - Jerusalem Day

Tonight at sundown Israel starts celebrating Yom Yerushalayim, Jerusalem Day, a national holiday.

Fifty-eight years ago, in 1967, the Israel Defense Forces broke through the Jordanian defenses and captured the Old City of Jerusalem, marking the reunification of the city under Israeli control.

 

To share this joyous holiday, we're posting a medley of songs from classic Israeli films from the unforgettable face of Chaim Topol to lesser-known cinematic gems.

 

Featured films include The Policeman, Sallah Shabati, Kazablan, and The Band. They are sung by Azi Schwartz, cantor of New York City's Park Avenue Synagogue.

 

Chag sameach! 

 

Pesach Shopping in Israel: Like No Shopping Trip You've Experienced in America

Pesach shopping in the USA can be very different depending on where you live. In communities with large Jewish populations like New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, and Miami Beach, you may find a large selection of Kosher for Passover foods and supplies, but in areas with small Jewish populations your choices may be limited to a small display in your local supermarket.

In Israel, however, Pesach shopping can be a surreal experience with an overwhelming selection of products -- not only foods and supplies such as kiddush cups and matzah covers, but also toys for afikomen gifts like Playmobil and Hot Wheels.

A week before Passover, Malkah Fleischer made a video on her phone of her journey to an Osher Ad supermarket in Israel. Starting with a half hour wait for a parking space and anxiously navigating the parking lot looking for an opening, she documented the vast number and variety of products filling the many aisles of the cavernous space stocked with endless piles of merchandise, organized for Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews based on their respective customs and traditions.

After a dizzying tour of the supermarket, you'll either be jealous of the many choices offered to Israeli customers, or grateful that your choices are limited to a manageable number of products.

Enjoy!