Jewish Humor Central is a daily publication to start your day with news of the Jewish world that's likely to produce a knowing smile and some Yiddishe nachas. It's also a collection of sources of Jewish humor--anything that brings a grin, chuckle, laugh, guffaw, or just a warm feeling to readers.
Our posts include jokes, satire, books, music, films, videos, food, Unbelievable But True, and In the News. Some are new, and some are classics. We post every morning, Sunday through Friday. Enjoy!
Comedian Modi Rosenfeld and actress/blogger Mayim Bialik are very funny in their own right, but when they collaborate the fun just multiplies. Here they bring the Yiddish word tsuris up a notch by adding the adjective gehakte and give us the ultimate trouble -- gehokte tsuris.
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: Jake is walking along the beach and he notices a bottle lying in the sand. He pulls the cork out and a genie comes out of the bottle. And then...
Tonight we welcome Shabbat and the seventh day of Pesach with an Egyptian version of Yigdal, the hymn that usually closes the Friday Night service.
This rendition has roots in Egyptian music, which is part of the tradition of Jenni Asher's family. This is the tenth version of the song that we've posted, and it's the first to use an Egyptian tune.
The song is a musical expression of Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (Maimonides)’s Thirteen Principles of Faith.
We will not be posting on Sunday because we'll be in our Florida shul observing the last day of Pesach. We'll be back on Monday with another Joke to Start the Week.
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.
It seems like matzah balls are the perfect parody subject this year. After posting a Matzah Ball parody of Popular from Wicked last Thursday we came across an entirely different parody of Miley Cyrus' 2013 hit song Wrecking Ball with the same name that was posted on Kveller.
This one is performed by Rabbi Jaclyn Cohen of Temple Isaiah in Los Angeles with lyrics by Gordon Lustig.
The famed cartoonist, known for Dry Bones, has been published by many leading newspapers in both Israel and the Diaspora - including TheJerusalem Post, which was the first to enjoy publishing Kirschen’s work in January of 1973.
"Bones,
as his friends and colleagues called him, was a wonderful artist and
satirist who always hit the nail on the head with his cartoons," former Post editor-in-chief Steve Linde shared. "He really was a national treasure."
No political leader in Israel or the US was safe from Kirschen's perceptive and satiric wit. In addition to his daily cartoons, he wrote humorous books, gave lectures, and delivered jokes about life in Israel and other Jewish subjects. One of his long-time aims was achieved a few years ago with the publication of The Dry Bones Haggadah.
Here's a video clip from a Kirschen presentation in which he tells a few jokes about life in the Nixon era.
It's Pesach time again. Tomorrow night we sit down (and recline) for the seder in Israel and the first of two sedarim in the Diaspora. But tomorrow is Shabbat and so the preparations and procedures are somewhat different from other years.
At the seder we will be singing many songs during the recitation of the Haggadah, and one of the most enduring and memorable ones is Vehi She'amda.
Vehi She’amda, La’avotainu Velanu Shelo Echad Bilvad, Amad Aleinu Lechaloteinu Ela Sheb’chol Dor VaDor Omdim Aleinu Lechaloteinu V’HaKadosh Baruch Hu Matzilenu Miyadam.
And this (Hashem’s blessings and the Torah)
is what kept our fathers and what keeps us surviving. For, not only one
arose and tried to destroy us, rather in every generation they try to
destroy us, and Hashem saves us from their hands.
This verse has been set to many melodies, but this one is especially expressive of the message. Composed by Yonatan Razel in 2009, it is sung in this video by Israeli singers Shira Linshe and Noa Goren.
Jewish Humor Central will be taking a break on Sunday and Monday as we observe the first two days of Passover in Florida, but we'll be back with Chol Hamoed videos on Tuesday.
With only two days until the Passover seder, we're sharing yet another video parody created for the holiday. This one is a takeoff on the song Popular from the Broadway show and film Wicked.
It was created and sung by Cantor Laura Phillips Fogelman of Temple Beth Abraham in Tarrytown, New York. In this rendition she is joined by Stessa Peers.
Is Passover just about matzah and freedom, or is there more to the story? Ezra Weiser uncovers 10 of the most surprising Passover traditions, from burning bread to drinking four cups of wine in one night to a door left open for an invisible guest.
Exploring the deep symbolism, unexpected customs, and hidden meanings behind this ancient holiday, Ezra reveals how each custom carries a hidden lesson on freedom and turns history into a living experience.
This special Passover video comes to us through the Judaism Unpacked YouTube channel.
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, 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, and garnered more than 25 million views online.
Here's their latest Passover video, PSVR, a parody of Bruno Mars and Rose's pop hit APT.
It's Monday again, and at Jewish Humor Central that means only one thing -- it's time for another joke to start the week.
Today's joke is from our collection of jokes from Toronto's Jewish Folks Telling Jokes, a major contribution to Jewish humor by Jewish Family and Child Service, one of the foremost Jewish service agencies in North America. Most jokes in this series are oldies but goodies. You've probably
heard them before, but it's always good to hear them again, especially
when retold by new joke tellers.
Here's
today's setup for the joke told by Sally Mintz-Levy: It was a cold and miserable and stormy night. And Moishe (nebech) was laying on his deathbed. And then... Enjoy!
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 a new modern version of Adir Hu, one of the songs from the Hagaddah.
Rising Jewish music star Avi Ganz is back with his second single, a fresh and electrifying take on a classic Passover melody composed by the legendary Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach. Infused with an infectious funky groove and a bold fusion of Balkan, Middle Eastern, and R&B flavors, this new track is the perfect soundtrack as we prepare for Pesach.
The single features a powerhouse collaboration with Michael Bogart, former lead trumpet and trombonist of the iconic band Tower of Power. His fiery brass work, combined with Avi’s signature energy, brings new life to this timeless Passover text.
Accompanying the release is a vibrant, high-energy music video shot in the heart of Shuk HaTikva, Tel Aviv. The video captures Avi and Michael trading harmonica and trumpet solos, igniting an electrifying jam session filled with spontaneous crowd interaction and unstoppable rhythm.
Whether you’re cooking, cleaning, or getting in the Pesach spirit, this track is sure to get you moving. A modern holiday bop with deep roots and explosive energy, it’s a must-add to every Passover playlist.
The Shvesters (Chava Levi and Polina Fradkin) are a Yiddish vocal duo
hailing originally from Detroit, Michigan. They gained a reputation on
social media for their perfectly synchronized voices (and signature
matching outfits) — and have won the hearts of audiences from all
backgrounds.
The Shvesters transform classic Yiddish melodies into sophisticated, contemporary harmonic jazz arrangements.
In this video the Shvesters welcome Shabbat with a rendition of Lecha Dodi.
Jewbalaya plays a good-time mixture of Klezmer and Traditional New Orleans Jazz.
With a horn section, drums, banjo, accordion and vocals, Jewbalaya
offers a shmaltzy stew of funky beats and Yiddish treats. Jewbalaya has
performed recently at the Lake Harriet Bandshell, Mall of America, The
Slavic Experience Festival, and more.
Jewbalaya's vocalist is Lea Kalisch. From Rap to Rumba, Folk to Feminism, Lea blends styles and languages like a smoothie. Lea is a Swiss Jewish
international entertainer who gives tradition a facelift. Yiddish
Theater, forgotten melodies, original songs, and mashups—all delivered
with young, zestful energy. She slips into different characters to make
you laugh with one eye and cry with the other.
In this video, Lea and Jewbalaya sing and play the Yiddish classics Az Der Rebbe Zingt and Bim Bam.
Candid Camera
was a popular and long-running American hidden camera reality
television series. Versions of the show appeared on television from 1948
until 2014. Originally created and produced by Allen Funt, it often featured practical jokes, and initially began on radio as The Candid Microphone on June 28, 1947.
The show involved concealed 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 were
told the show's catchphrase, "Smile, you're on Candid Camera." The catchphrase became a song with music and lyrics by Sid Ramin.
Will people waiting in line at a ticket booth stay in their place or
will they follow the crowd to unknown locations and conform to their
actions? The Candid Camera crew conducted such an experiment and found
that the subjects were only too willing to blindly follow the others in
line without questioning their motives or destinations.
This Candid Camera episode took place 63 years ago in 1962.
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 the Yiddish word for hands and lots of related expressions.
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Just Published: The Kustanowitz Kronikle - 35 Years of Purim Parody
Every Purim for the past 35 years we have published a Purim parody edition of The Kustanowitz Kronikle, covering virtually every aspect of Jewish life, and including parodies of hundreds of popular movies. This year we decided to retire the series and capture all the fun in a book that's just been published and is available at Amazon.com. It has every Purim issue of The Kustanowitz Kronikle from 1988 through 2022 in a full-color, full-size paperback book with hilarious headline stories and parody movie picks. Here are a few examples: TRUMP, NETANYAHU SWAP ROLES, COUNTRIES; NEW TALMUD VOLUME "VOTIN" FOUND IN IRAQ; JOINS "FRESSIN", "NAPPIN", TANTZEN","PATCHEN"; "JUDAICARE" PROGRAM PLANNED TO ENSURE THAT ALL JEWS HAVE SYNAGOGUE MEMBERSHIP; RABBIS CREATE TALMUD AMERICANI; NEW LAWS EXTEND HALACHA TO THANKSGIVING AND JULY 4; JEWISH ORGANIZATIONS WORLDWIDE UNITE TO STOP GLOBAL WARMING; FOCUS ON REDUCING HOT AIR; RABBIS TO REQUIRE SHECHITA FOR MANY FRUITS AND VEGETABLES
Jewish Humor Central Staff
Publisher and Editor-in-Chief:
Al Kustanowitz Food and Wine Editor:
Aviva Weinberg Israel Food and Wine Consultant Penina Kustanowitz Reporter and Photographer:
Meyer Berkowitz Reporter Phyllis Flancbaum
Now You Can Book Program and Lecture Dates for 2025 and 2026 in Person and Via ZOOM
Now is the time to book our Jewish humor programs and lectures for your 2025 and 2026 events in person and via ZOOM anywhere in the world. Book any of our 22 popular programs including "The Great Jewish Comedians", “Israel is a Funny Country”, and "Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places." Click above for details and videos. To book a program with Al, e-mail: dan@hudakonhollywood.com
"Jewish Traces in Unexpected Places" is now available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle editions
This book presents 150 anecdotes and associated video clips that reveal the myriad ways that Jewish culture, religion, humor, music, song, and dance have found expression in parts of the world that, at first glance, might not seem supportive of Jewish Life. It includes 50 videos of Hava Nagila being performed from Texas to Thailand, from India to Iran, and from Buenos Aires to British Columbia. Also highlighted are 34 international versions of Hevenu Shalom Aleichem, Adon Olam, Abanibi, and Tumbalalaika. Whether you’re reading the print version and typing in the video URLs or reading the e-book version and clicking on the links, you’ll have access to 150 video clips totaling more than 10 hours of video. Enjoy!
"Israel is a Funny Country" is now available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle editions
This book explores the multifaceted nature of humor in Israel, some of which is intentional and some of which is unintentional. Either way, the quirks of Israeli life contribute to making that life interesting and fulfilling. In the pages of this volume, we take a look at humorous slices of Israeli life, Israeli comedy, satire and parody, funny TV commercials, unusual stories about food, surprising rabbinic bans on daily activities, simchas as they can only be celebrated in Israel, and endearing aspects of Israeli culture. There are more than 120 anecdotes and links to video clips totaling more than six hours of video. We hope that these anecdotes and video clips give you a new and different insight into life in Israel, and encourage you to join in the fun by planning a visit to the land flowing with milk and honey.
Now is the time to book our Jewish Humor Shows and Lectures in person or on ZOOM.
Bring Al's Jewish humor lectures and comedy programs with the funniest videos on the Internet to your community and your synagogue, club, JCC, organization or private event in person or via ZOOM. We're taking reservations now for 2025 and 2026 dates in your community. Click above for details. To book a program with Al, e-mail: dan@hudakonhollywood.com.
Now Open: The Jewish Humor Central Gift Shop
Jewish Humor Central logo merchandise is now available. Click on the image above to see the complete collection -- More than 100 items from tote bags, baseball caps, mugs, aprons, drinkware, T-shirts and sweatshirts, to pajamas and underwear.
The Best of Jewish Humor Central - Now Available in eBook and Paperback at Amazon.com
The Best of Jewish Humor Central - More than 400 video clips, including music and comedy videos for all the Jewish holidays. View them on Your PC, Mac, Kindle Fire, iPad, iPhone, iTouch, Android Tablet and Smartphone. Click on the image above to peek inside and download a free sample. And now, a paperback edition for anyone who prefers a traditional book and doesn't mind typing the URLs instead of clicking on them.
About the Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
A long-term devotee of Jewish humor, Al Kustanowitz has been collecting and sharing it even before there was an internet. In 2009, after a 36-year career at IBM managing new technology projects, he founded Jewish Humor Central (jewishhumorcentral.com. Through the blog he brings a daily dose of fun and positive energy to readers who would otherwise start the day reading news that is often drab, dreary, and depressing (subscribing is free). He has published 12 books on humor based on his more than 4,000 blog postings, each of which includes a video clip and his commentary.
He has presented more than 100 programs in South Florida and the Northeast on topics that include the great comedians and entertainers of the 20th century, funniest moments in film and television, flash mobs around the world, and composers and lyricists of the Great American Songbook.
He earned his bachelor's and master's degrees from the City University of New York and taught computer science courses at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences at New York University. He is a member of the Advisory Board of the International Association of Yiddish Clubs.
You can contact Al via email at akustan@gmail.com.
Audio Roundup 2025:15
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by Joel Rich Comment to blog discussing a girl’s elementary school’s gemara
celebration two thoughts If it’s not a mitzvah for women to learn gemara,
why w...
Kosher Roman Cuisine is Back in NYC: Casa Tevere
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A Beloved Kosher Institution Reimagined After a five-year hiatus, the
cherished kosher Italian restaurant Tevere has made a triumphant return to
New York...
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This is Sali, the LSW posting for Yaakov. Yaakov is recovering from a stoke
that he had about a month ago. Thank you all so very much for your good
wishes,...
Thoughts on the Haggadah by Rabbi Eli Teitelbaum
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[image: Story 375601404]
We just recently were able to find the latest version of my fathers, Rabbi
Eli Teitelbaum Z”L, thoughts on the Haggadah and conve...
Hamantaschen: The Symbolism behind Purim Cookies
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Purim is a celebration of masquerade, Mishloach Manot, Hamantaschen and
book of Esther reading. Every Jewish holiday focuses on a special dish and
the tria...
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Thank you very much for supporting our work at The Muqata. We appreciate
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Boarding School Massachusetts
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Every fall the Massachusetts Health Connector provides information
concerning the public higher education institutions and designed to prevent
offenders ...
A chat with some protesters…
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Originally posted on don of all trades:
Hi protesters, it’s me, Don. Do you remember me? No? I’m a police officer.
We’ve met before. Excuse me? Did you say...
Jerusalem Walking Tours for Sukkot
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It is about time that I brought back my “Jerusalem: Meet Jerusalem” walking
tour series. And while I am nearing completion on a few new ones that I
hope to...
Trayf of the Week: Bacon Jam
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Just when you thought it was safe to eat your bagels in mixed company,
comes this devilish concoction. Next time a Goyishe friend offers you a
shmear, mak...