Tribal mischief

From ‘Borscht Belt’ to Borat, museum celebrates Jewish comedy

To celebrate its exhibit ‘Let There Be Laughter – Jewish Humor Around the World,’ Museum of the Jewish People releases list of 15 most memorable moments in Jewish comedic history

By ToI Staff 15 December 2018, 4:58 pm

Edit

Visitors at the "Let There Be Laughter – Jewish Humor Around the World" exhibit at the Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot on August 13, 2018. (Miriam Alster/Flash90)

Though there may be no business like show business, there is also funny business and what could be better than them together, of course?

In an ode to the outsized role many Jews have had in the world of comedy, the Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot in Tel Aviv has released a list of the top 15 moments in Jewish comedic history ahead of a December 17 gala in New York celebrating its exhibit, “Let There Be Laughter – Jewish Humor Around the World.”

The list, which is largely dominated by Jewish-American comedians, includes some of the top highlights in comedy over the past century, ranging from the comedy shows at the “Borsch Belt” resorts in New York’s Catskill Mountains to a segment by former Daily Show host Jon Stewart.

The following is the complete list in chronological order, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

1. “Borscht Belt”