JNS.org writers Leo Margul, Lev Novak and others regularly poke fun at Jewish traditions, holidays, news and events around the world. Read on to laugh with JNS.org. To select another topic, choose from the other content “categories” in our navigation bar.
Later this month, Israelis will have a chance to experience legendary comedian and television personality Jerry Seinfeld firsthand in four Tel Aviv shows. But Jerry isn't going solo—he'll be accompanied by his friend of 37 years, fellow comedian Mark Schiff, in a private jet that will land in the Jewish state just minutes before Shabbat. Schiff, the opening act for Seinfeld at all four performances in Israel, tells JNS.org, “Israel is the best. Jerry loves Israel, too—that is for sure.”
“Both Jews and Muslims have a lot in common. What are we fighting over? Jews and Muslims don’t eat pork, we don’t celebrate Christmas, we both use ‘ch’ in our pronunciation, and we are both hairy creatures of God,” says comedian Ahmed Ahmed. “The only real difference between Jews and Muslims is that Jews never like to spend any money and Muslims never have any money to spend.” So goes one of the jokes featured in the “Laugh in Peace” comedy routine of Ahmed and Rabbi Bob Alper. The unlikely duo’s show will be coming to Israel (Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and Haifa) and the Palestinian territories (Ramallah) for the first time from Aug. 12-17. Together, Ahmed and Alper have performed more than 150 times during the last 14 years—throughout the U.S., Canada, and England—at synagogues, churches, mosques, theaters, and college campuses. Their story began as a gimmick by a savvy publicist, but has transformed into both a fruitful business partnership and a personal friendship.
Passover means seders. They are important Jewish traditions, but also social and hunger-filled minefields. JNS.org humor columnist Leo Margul provides tips to help you navigate the time between when you show up and avoid questions about your career/relationship to when you shout “Next year in Jerusalem!” and run out with all the flourless desserts.
As young people, bar and bat mitzvah parties helped us build character: awkward social interactions, quiet slow-dances where you desperately try not to make eye contact, and condescending head-pats from adults and kids taller than us. Now that we’re older, and head-pats have taken on a sexier implication, how do we behave ourselves at our cousin’s/nephew’s celebration? JNS humor columnist Leo Margul explains how to act—and how not to act.