Another Story by Sol Krupnick - "Key Solution"

Today Joel Gibbs is back in the role of Sol Krupnick telling one of his short stories. 

Gibbs is starring as Sol Krupnick in “Meet Sol Krupnick,” “an on-stage, theatrical, one-man-show” about a “Jewish kibitzer of undetermined (old) age who shares fun stories about his crazy family, tells classic jokes and offers ‘unique’ observations about the world around him.”

Or, in other words, the 70-year-old Jewish grandfather is performing a one-man show as himself.

Gibbs, a longtime congregant at Shir Ami in Newtown who still attends events at the synagogue, opened his show with a recent performance at KleinLife in Northeast Philadelphia. About 200 friends and family members came to show their support. But really, they came to laugh. As Gibbs said of the night, “I portrayed the character; I told the stories and jokes; the audience laughed a lot.”

Gibbs calls himself the “Man of a Thousand Voices.” He does more than 100 celebrity impressions and has worked on more than 40,000 projects worldwide, according to his press release. He partnered with Billy Crystal, Julie Andrews and other celebrities on the “Love the Arts in Philadelphia” campaign to promote the city’s cultural institutions.

Today we're sharing one of Sol's stories about how his friend Murray tried to recover his lost car keys.

Enjoy!

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Welcoming Shabbat in London with Adon Olam to Commemorate King Charles' Coronation

As part of the London Jewish community’s celebrations in honor of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III on May 6th 2023, a brand new adaptation of an ancient Jewish song composed by Stephen Levey and arranged by The Portnoy Brothers is being released digitally today. 

A musician ensemble based in the Ukraine participated in the production by providing all the strings and orchestration. ‘Adon Olam’ – which translated means ‘Lord of the Universe’ – is a hymn that has been part of the Jewish daily and Sabbath liturgy since the 15th Century and which speaks of God in both cosmic terms and as a personal presence in our lives. 

Wienerworld, the UK’s leading independent music publisher and distributor, worked in partnership with the United Synagogue to invite 200 primary school children from five Jewish schools in the London area to learn the song and come together to record this new composition together with featured artists The Portnoy Brothers. 

The United Synagogue is the largest synagogue body in Europe, supporting some 60 Jewish communities across England. King Charles III has always been a stalwart personal friend to the Jewish community. It is hoped that this new recording of ‘Adon Olam’ will act as further recognition of the community’s affection for the Royal Family and our gratitude that Jews can observe their customs and traditions safely and openly in the UK. ‘Adon Olam’ is being released as a single on all streaming and download platforms together with a video on all social media channels, with proceeds going to charity.

Mendy and Israel Portnoy, who together form The Portnoy Brothers, have been making music together for as long as they can remember. Their music spans many genres and their most recent album “No Complaints” (recorded between Nashville and Jerusalem) charted in the TOP 10 Billboard Heatseekers Chart and features a duet with Alex Clare. They have also shared the stage with Idan Raichel and Ivri Lider as well as performed with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. Their time is split between Jerusalem and New York. 

Stephen Levey started writing and performing music from a young age and has worked with some of the biggest names in the world of Jewish music. For thirty years, Stephen was the Musical Director and Conductor of the Shabbaton Choir. 

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

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Throwback Thursday Comedy Special: Alan King and Johnny Carson Talk About Bad Food and Bad Restaurants

Today we're turning the calendar back 38 years to 1985 when Alan King and Johnny Carson talked about their experiences with bad food served in bad restaurants.

The conversation was triggered by King giving Carson a copy of his newly published book, "Is Salami and Eggs Better than Sex?"

Alan King appeared on the Johnny Carson Tonight Show a total of 73 times. He was a frequent guest on the show and often appeared as a guest host. King was a well-known comedian and actor who was popular in the 1950s and 1960s, and his appearances on the Tonight Show helped to solidify his status as one of the greats of his time.

Enjoy!

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  #Throwback Thursday   #TBT

Wacky Wednesday Comedy Showcase: Movie Snack Counter Sells Recycled Popcorn

What would you do when buying popcorn at a movie snack counter if you see the popcorn seller filling your bag from assorted bags left behind in the theater? This is one of the funniest Candid Camera stunts we've seen in a long time. It was recorded in a movie lobby in 2002.

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 classic episode set in a movie theater, customers react in different ways when they realize that the the popcorn that they just paid $4.75 for is not fresh, but a combination of leftovers from other customers.

Enjoy!

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Celebrating Israel's 75th Independence Day with Rabotai a Cappella Group

Rabotai (meaning gentlemen) is a fresh and exciting Jewish a cappella group comprised of energetic vocal talent and professional beatboxing. 

Coming from different corners of the world, its members found each other in Israel, where they are rapidly becoming a sought after group to entertain audiences big and small. They specialize in mixing classical Jewish songs with modern pop. 

Today we're celebrating Israel's 75th Independence Day by sharing Rabotai's mashup of Hatikvah and the prayer for the State of Israel that they recorded for Israel's 70th Independence Day in 2018.

Wishing you a very happy Yom Haatzmaut!

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A Prayer for the Israel Defense Forces on Yom Hazikaron

Tonight is the start of Yom Hazikaron, Israel's Memorial Day, which lasts until Tuesday evening. All schools have special plays and ceremonies on Yom HaZikaron, enacted into law in 1963. 

While the day has been traditionally dedicated to fallen soldiers, commemoration has also been extended to civilian victims of terrorism. 

As the sad day ends, the country is transformed at nightfall into all night partying that lasts through the following day to commemorate the founding of the state 75 years ago.

At many of the memorial ceremonies, names are read, photos projected on screens and walls, prayers are read and appropriate songs are sung. 

We're doing our part at Jewish Humor Central on Yom HaZikaron, by abstaining from humor for the day and posting a rendition of the Prayer for the Welfare of Soldiers of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) by the a cappella group Six 13 and Cantor Chaim Dovid Berson.

Mi Sheberach is a prayer for the soldiers of Israel's Defense Forces that is sung to the tune of El Eretz Tzvi by Yehoram Gaon.  

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Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places: Hava Nagila Finds Its Way to Montenegro in the Balkans

We continue to be amazed by the number of countries where Hava Nagila has been performed. This is the 116th 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 last December by the KIC Pop Choir in the tiny Balkan country of Montenegro.

Montenegro is sandwiched between former Yugoslavian countries, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Kosovo, Serbia and Albania. The country is famous for its spectacular mountains, glacial lakes, the elegant beach resorts of the Budva Riviera, and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Bay of Kotor.

And now, for Hava Nagila.

Enjoy!

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Welcoming Shabbat with V'Shamru at the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation

Originally named Nidche Yisroel (Scattered of Israel), the Baltimore Hebrew Congregation was founded in 1830, and for the first fifteen years of its existence, services were held in a small room above a local grocery in Baltimore. Rabbi Abraham Rice was the first ordained rabbi to serve in the United States and came to BHC in 1840. 

In 1845, the Congregation moved to Lloyd Street under the new name, Baltimore Hebrew Congregation. That building, the Lloyd Street Synagogue, the third-oldest synagogue building in the United States, is now preserved as part of the Jewish Museum of Maryland. 

In 1891, BHC moved to Madison Avenue, where the Jewish community had begun to settle. The Congregation moved to its final home on Park Heights Avenue, on the border of Baltimore City and Baltimore County, following the Second World War in 1951.

Today we welcome Shabbat with Cantor Ben Ellerin, Cantorial Intern Leslie Goldberg, and the BHC Synagogue Choir singing V'Shamru, part of the Kabbalat Shabbat service.

From Exodus 31:16-17

וְשָׁמְרוּ בְנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵל אֶת־הַשַּׁבָּת לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת־הַשַּׁבָּת לְדֹרֹתָם בְּרִית עוֹלָם׃ בֵּינִי וּבֵין בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל אוֹת הִוא לְעֹלָם כִּי־שֵׁשֶׁת יָמִים עָשָׂה יְהֹוָה אֶת־הַשָּׁמַיִם וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ וּבַיּוֹם הַשְּׁבִיעִי שָׁבַת וַיִּנָּפַשׁ׃ 

V’shamru v'nei Yisrael et HaShabbat, laasot et HaShabbat l’dorotam b’rit olam. Beini u’vein b’nei Yisrael ot hi l’olam, ki sheishet yamim asah Adonai et hashamayim v’et haaretz, u’vayom hashvi-i shavat vayinafash. 

The people of Israel shall keep Shabbat, observing Shabbat throughout the ages as a covenant for all time. It is a sign for all time between Me and the people of Israel. For in six days Adonai made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day God ceased from work and was refreshed.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

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Throwback Thursday Musical Showcase: Israeli Song "Kan" Wins Third Place in 1991 Eurovision Contest

Israel first joined the Eurovision Song Contest in 1973. The first singer ever to represent Israel was Ilanit, with Ey Sham The song won 4th place. 

In 1978 and 1979 Israel won the contest with A-ba-ni-bi and Hallelujah. Israel won again in 1998 and 2018 with Diva and Toy.

The Eurovision Song Contest 2023 is set to take place on May 13 in Liverpool, United Kingdom, after Ukraine, winner of the 2022 contest with the song Stefania by Kalush Orchestra, was unable to meet the demands of hosting the event due to security concerns caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Today we're turning back the clock to 1991 when Orna and Moshe Datz (Duo Datz) performed the song Kan and won 3rd place. Here they are performing on stage with English subtitles.

Enjoy!

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  #Throwback Thursday      #TBT

Wacky Wednesday Comedy Special: Hotel Downgrades Guests in a Candid Camera Classic

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 classic episode from 2002, guests checking in at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Santa Clara, California are greeted by a hotel clerk who tells them that their rooms are being downgraded.

Enjoy!

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On Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) We Remember With the Theme From Schindler's List

There are very few days in the year when we don't post jokes or funny anecdotes, and today is one of them.  

Today we commemorate Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day. It's not a day for Jewish humor, but it can be and should be a day to recognize acts of bravery and compassion of Jews and non-Jews who saved lives in those troubled days of the 20th century.

The essence of heroic resistance was captured in Steven Spielberg's 1993 film Schindler's List and the haunting theme that recurs during the film.

This live performance of the Schindler's List theme was recorded at the Sydney Opera House in Australia in 2017. The performers are the musical duo known as 2Cellos, a Croatian cellist duo, consisting of classically trained cellists Luka Šulić and Stjepan Hauser. Signed to Sony Masterworks since 2011, they have released six albums. They play instrumental arrangements of well-known pop and rock songs, as well as classical and film music.

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A Joke to Start the Week: "Best Way to Go Fishing"

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 is walking down the street and he sees a guy who is obviously shaking and cold, fishing in water that's accumulated in a pile. And then...

Enjoy!

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The New Jewish Comedians: Meet Emily Azrael, Standup Comic

We've been posting clips of Jewish comedians going back to the days of vaudeville and burlesque, from Jack Benny to Alan King, and including dozens more. We've posted many of them since we started Jewish Humor Central 14 years ago.

But a new generation of Jewish comedians is on the rise. And they're very funny. It's a rare one who can get through a routine without off-color words or phrases, but some are trying very hard to let the jokes and situations carry the day without resorting to outright foul language.

Some of the new comedians are only new to us, since we haven't been watching all the late night TV shows and going to comedy clubs where they make their first appearances. But as we discover them, we'll share some of their video clips with you.

Today we're sharing a video clip of Emily Azrael, who tells comedy club audiences about the Jewish dating scene in New York. Emily has been making the rounds of comedy clubs, delivering this set about her dating encounters and awkward conversations with her mother.

Enjoy!

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Welcoming Shabbat with Shalom Aleichem at Chicago's Anshe Emet Synagogue

With Pesach in the rear view mirror, and freshly baked challah returning to our dining room tables, we're ready to welcome another Shabbat with a Kabbalat Shabbat service including Shalom Aleichem. 

After a busy week of Passover, it's time for another restful Shabbat. Today's Kabbalat Shabbat includes Shalom Aleichem, the liturgical poem that we sing on Friday evening at home before a traditional Shabbat dinner.

It's the 57th version of Shalom Aleichem that we've posted on Jewish Humor Central. This traditional version is sung by the clergy of Anshe Emet Synagogue of Chicago.

Anshe Emet is one of the oldest Conservative congregations in Chicago. Founded in 1873, Anshe Emet has a long history of being a center for Torah study, cultural activity, and Israel and social justice advocacy.

Enjoy, and Shabbat shalom!

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Sol Krupnick Reflects on the History and Hysteria of Passover

Today Joel Gibbs is back in the role of Sol Krupnick with his funny observations about Passover.

Gibbs is starring as Sol Krupnick in “Meet Sol Krupnick,” “an on-stage, theatrical, one-man-show” about a “Jewish kibitzer of undetermined (old) age who shares fun stories about his crazy family, tells classic jokes and offers ‘unique’ observations about the world around him.”

Or, in other words, the 70-year-old Jewish grandfather is performing a one-man show as himself.

Gibbs, a longtime congregant at Shir Ami in Newtown who still attends events at the synagogue, opened his show with a recent performance at KleinLife in Northeast Philadelphia. About 200 friends and family members came to show their support. But really, they came to laugh. As Gibbs said of the night, “I portrayed the character; I told the stories and jokes; the audience laughed a lot.”

Gibbs calls himself the “Man of a Thousand Voices.” He does more than 100 celebrity impressions and has worked on more than 40,000 projects worldwide, according to his press release. He partnered with Billy Crystal, Julie Andrews and other celebrities on the “Love the Arts in Philadelphia” campaign to promote the city’s cultural institutions.

So you think you know everything about Passover? Think again, because Sol Krupnick may reset your assumptions.

Enjoy! 

We'll be observing the last two days of Passover tomorrow and Thursday. We'll be back with a Welcoming Shabbat post on Friday.

Chag sameach!

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A Joke to Start the Week: "Driving on the Interstate"

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: Morris Rabinowitz was 87 years old. He was still driving. One day he was on the Interstate and he heard the cellphone ring. And then...

Enjoy!

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5 Surprising Differences Between Ashkenazi & Sephardic Jews

Oftentimes, Jewish people depicted in the media typically appear to be of European descent, yet most Jews don’t fit into this category. 

While the two largest groups of Jews in North America are Ashkenazi Jews from countries like Germany, France and Eastern Europe, and Sephardic Jews from Portugal and Spain, there are also Mizrahi Jews from the Middle East, Ethiopian Jews, and so many more across the globe. 

Although there are many differences between these groups such as the languages they speak, the foods they eat, or even the Jewish customs and traditions they keep, they all share the core connection of Judaism and are a part of one peoplehood. 

This video, part of the The Z3 Project, an initiative of the Oshman Family JCC in Palo Alto, CA. Promoting a stronger relationship between Diaspora Jewry and Israel, the Z3 project is dedicated to modeling how Zionism can evolve, and how Jewish communities can come together for meaningful discussions about the Diaspora and Israel. 

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Wacky Wednesday Comedy Special: Robin Williams Tells the Passover Story in 2 Minutes

Tonight we'll sit at the seder table and retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt. A story that continues to be retold through many different lenses, with the help of thousands of Haggadot.

But nothing captures the imagination more than watching and listening to a personal retelling, complete with gestures, nuances, and sometimes comic exaggeration.

Robin Williams was a master of story telling and in 2002 he did a two minute version of the Passover story in a Broadway comedy show.

Enjoy the video, and have a chag kasher v'sameach! 

We'll be observing the first two days of Pesach and the Shabbat that follows, so Jewish Humor Central is taking a few days off. We'll see you again on Sunday, the second day of Chol Hamoed. 

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The Yiddish Chefs are Back with a Passover Dessert Recipe: Southern Pecan Macaroons and Egg Yolk Coffee

Our favorite Yiddish chefs, Rukhl Schaechter and Eve Yochnowitz from the Jewish Daily Forward are back with a recipe for an easy to make Passover dessert.

We've been publishing most of their videos featuring Yiddish-flecked banter while they cook traditional dishes.

Since their Est Gezunterheit series started in 2010, we've published 25 of their recipes and mini-glossaries of funny-sounding Yiddish words connected to the recipes. (Look for Est Gezunterheit in the Keywords list in the left column to catch up on any that you've missed.)

Today, with one day to go until the Pesach seder, here's an easy recipe for Southern Pecan Macaroons to serve with coffee made with egg yolks.

Enjoy!

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Here Come the Passover Music Videos: Boys Town Jerusalem Choir Sings "Avadim Hayinu"

Boys Town Jerusalem is one of Israel's premier institutions for educating the country's next generation of leaders in the fields of technology, commerce, education, the military and public service. 

Since its founding in 1948, BTJ has pursued its mission of turning young boys from limited backgrounds into young men with limitless futures. From Junior High through the College level, the three part curriculum at Boys Town - academic, technological and Torah - is designed to turn otherwise disadvantaged Israeli youth into productive citizens of tomorrow. 

Boys Town’s 18 acre campus is a home away from home for its more than 950 students. More than 7,500 graduates hold key positions throughout Israeli society.

For Pesach 2023, the Boys Town Jerusalem choir performs a very creative and upbeat version of Avadim Hayinu. 

Enjoy! Chag Kasher v'Sameach!

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Here Come the Passover Videos: Six 13 Pays a 25th Anniversary Tribute to "The Prince of Egypt"

No collection of Jewish holiday music videos would be complete without an entry from Six13, an a cappella group that has produced videos for Chanukah, Rosh Hashana, Purim, and Passover. In previous years we posted many of their Jewish music videos.

Six13 is a groundbreaking, six-man a cappella vocal band that is bringing an unprecedented style and energy to Jewish music, with nothing but the power of the human voice.

One of the great epic animated films and musicals of all time -- and possibly the greatest retelling of the Passover story -- is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Six 13 is celebrating the occasion with a medley of songs from the beloved film, including When You Believe.

Enjoy!

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