Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Sid Caesar Pantomimes Grieg's Piano Concerto

Today we're going back 61 years to May 25, 1957, when Sid Caesar performed in pantomime on Caesar's Hour. The subject was a pianist struggling to play Grieg's Piano Concerto. And in mock playing for almost six minutes, he manages to produce laughs all along the way. 

Sid's performance is reminiscent of similar ones by Victor Borge, but Sid adds his unique comic touch to every note.

Enjoy!

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#Throwback Thursday    #TBT

Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Just Jewish Dance in New JCC in Kiev, Ukraine

In response to the onset of World War I and the devastation it wreaked on thousands of Jewish communities in war-torn regions, the newly-formed American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC) initiated massive relief projects in pre-Israel Palestine to sustain fragile communities and across Eastern Europe to support communities devastated by the war.

"The Joint," as it came to be known, is still active and was instrumental in creating the Halom Jewish Community Center (JCC), a new 17,000 square foot facility located in central Kiev. The center — a project of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and Kiev’s Jewish community — serves as a multi-generational hub for Jewish cultural, educational, community, and social service programs and activities.

Among the activities is Just Jewish Dance, a creative program of dance set to Jewish and Israeli music. Here are some of the dancers in a graphical production of Shmor Na Aleinu. Enjoy! 

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Conversations About Comedy: Woody Allen Talks About Mel Brooks

Great comedians appreciate other great comedians and frequently talk to interviewers about their unique talents. Here's an interview with Woody Allen in which he talks about the comedic talents and musical flair of Mel Brooks.

Enjoy!

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God Bless the USA on This Memorial Day

Yes, we know it's Monday and we usually post a joke to start the week. But it's also Memorial Day, and just as we refrain from telling jokes on Yom Hazikaron (Israel's Memorial Day) we're feeling patriotic and grateful to be citizens of this great country and putting off the weekly joke to next Monday.

America's Memorial Day got started as Decoration Day because it was a time set aside to honor the nation's Civil War dead by decorating their graves. It was first widely observed on May 30, 1868, to commemorate the sacrifices of Civil War soldiers, by proclamation of General John A. Logan of the Grand Army of the Republic, an organization of former sailors and soldiers.

In Israel this day is a very solemn day that precedes Yom Haatzmaut, Israel Independence Day, and is marked by a siren that stops all vehicular and foot traffic for two minutes. On Memorial Day in the USA, while there are commemorations everywhere, shopping and sales have become part of the tradition.

Today we're sharing an excerpt from a Memorial Day Concert in Washington, DC some years back on the Mall in front of the Capitol where Lee Greenwood's song God Bless the USA was performed in front of veterans of all branches of the military. The singer is Kris Allen, winner of the eighth season of American Idol.

Enjoy!

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Comedy Showcase: Standup Comic Bob Greenberg at the Gotham Comedy Club

Bob Greenberg performs regularly at the Friars Club, the Metropolitan Room and the Gotham Comedy Club. He has been featured on Saturday Night Live, Letterman, Conan, The Next Best Thing and Prime Time Live.

He has had roles on Vinyl (HBO), The Characters (Netflix) and Law and Order and starred as "Morty" in The National Tour of Old Jews Telling Jokes.

Here's a good example of his comedy routine, performed at the Gotham Comedy Club last year.

Enjoy!

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Welcoming Shabbat with The Maccabeats and Shlock Rock Singing Shir Hamaalot, Billy Joel Style

Capping a month of postings with a Jerusalem theme, we're getting ready to welcome Shabbat with a unique collaboration of two a cappella groups, The Maccabeats and Shlock Rock.

To commemorate Jerusalem Day, they teamed up to sing the psalm that is usually sung to star the Birkat Hamazon (Grace after meals), Shir Hamaalot (Song of Ascents). This version is based on Billy Joel's hit song The Longest Time.

Enjoy and Shabbat shalom!

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Comedy Showcase: Standup Comic Mike Fine at the Actors' Temple

 

With a sharp mix of an unpredictable demeanor, abstract observations and deadpan delivery, Mike Fine’s comedy styling is reminiscent of the classic Borscht Belt comedians. 

Always a crowd favorite, Mike’s adept ability to tailor his act for any audience keeps him in constant demand, making regular appearances at major clubs, colleges, and corporate events in the U.S. and abroad.

Whenever Mike performs, he always makes it a priority to give back. He actively volunteers for Veterans' causes, such as Wounded Warrior Project, Wheelers for The Wounded, Disabled Sports USA, He also dedicates time to other charitable oauses such as the Friars Sunshine Committee, Gilda’s Club, Police Athletic League, Fresh Air Fund, The Actors Temple, United Hatzalah, and many other non-profit organizations that he’s passionate about.

We've previously shared one of Mike's stand-up routines. Today we're sharing his performance last summer at the Actor's Temple in New York City.

Enjoy!


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What Israeli Policemen Do for Fun

Policemen in Israel have a very serious responsibility to keep the peace and respond quickly to crises. But in any job, there is downtime and a need to let off steam. It's no different in Israel.

In this video, the cops take a break from reality and belt out a version of The Lion Sleeps 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.

Rabbis Tell Jokes at Annual Chabad Photo Shoot

Last November, 5000 Chabad rabbis came to Brooklyn for the 30th annual International Conference of Chabad Shluchim (representatives).

Workshops included topics as diverse as community building and social media strategies.

Themes addressed the role of leadership and problem solving. Some sessions were more specific: lockdown training, lessons in creating fundraising strategies and assisting teens and families in crisis.

Chabad Lubavitch representatives serve communities on six continents. Their reach goes as far as Vietnam and Ghana, and now, as was formally announced at the Conference, Uganda, in eastern Africa will be the 100th country served by Chabad.

But this annual event is not without some humor. What better way to spend the time waiting for bleachers to be set up for the annual photo shoot than exchanging some old Jewish jokes?

Let's listen in as some of the attendees tell some oldies but goodies.

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.