Join our Community
Support ToI and remove all ads
Learn more
×

Jewish humor

A cartoon from the July 4, 1900 issue of Puck, title 'No Envy,' shows stereotypically dressed Jews enjoying a building fire. (Courtesy NYU Press via JTA)
July 7, 2026, 1:03 pm
Scholar unpacks slur that early US Jewish immigrants were arsonists — and why it stuck
Jeffrey Marx’s new history, ‘Jewish Firebug,’ puts new light on an old trope as newcomers are again being blamed for economic and social ills and antisemitism reaches new highs
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
'What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine,' an exhibit at the Norman Rockwell Museum, features Norman Mingo's 1973 cover illustration for MAD Magazine #156 depicting Alfred E. Neuman as a character in 'Fiddler on the Roof.' (JTA Photo; MAD and all related elements © & ™ E.C. Publications. Courtesy of DC. All Rights Reserved. Used with permission.)
August 31, 2024, 5:57 am
Americana meets meshuggeneh at a museum exhibit about MAD magazine
‘What, Me Worry? The Art and Humor of MAD Magazine’ runs at the Norman Rockwell Museum through October 27, showcasing the periodical’s American satire with Jewish bite
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
A large sculpture of a bowl of borscht by artist Robin Schwartzman is the centerpiece of 'And Such Small Portions! Food and Comedy in the Catskills Resort Era' exhibit at the Borscht Belt Museum in Ellenville, New York. (Courtesy Borscht Belt Museum via JTA)
July 26, 2024, 1:19 pm
A museum exhibit on Jewish food and humor puts the ‘borscht’ in Borscht Belt
Running at the Borscht Belt Museum in Ellenville, NY, through November, ‘And Such Small Portions!’ reflects a bygone era where guests found comfort in food, laughs and one another
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Mullahs on missile-driven magic carpets (Matthew Morgenstern)
April 14, 2024, 9:57 am
Iran attack draws dark humor from captive Israeli audience
From politics to Passover, nothing is sacred as Israelis take to social media to ward off wartime jitters
By ToI Staff
Jeremy Dauber is the author of 'Mel Brooks: Disobedient Jew.' (Yale University Press via JTA)
March 8, 2023, 1:57 am
A history of Mel Brooks as a ‘disobedient Jew’
In new biography, Jeremy Dauber breaks down how the comedian and director just couldn’t help being a loving iconoclast skewering the establishment
By Andrew Silow-Carroll
Author Jennifer Caplan alongside her new book, 'Funny You Don't Look Funny.' (Courtesy)
March 7, 2023, 5:45 am
Is that (still) funny? Scholar explores generational shifts in Jewish humor
In her new book, ‘Funny, You Don’t Look Funny,’ Jennifer Caplan traces attitudes toward American Jewish comedy from Philip Roth to ‘Seinfeld,’ ‘SNL’ and ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’
By Amy Spiro
Jesus (Jay Ellis) and Judas (Nick Kroll) in a scene from the 'Curb Your Judaism' sketch in 'History of the World Part II.' (Courtesy of Hulu via JTA)
March 6, 2023, 2:00 am
In Mel Brooks’ ‘History of the World Part II,’ Jewish jokes reign
Out March 6, the eve of Purim, the long-awaited sequel to the classic 1981 film co-produced by comedian Nick Kroll revolves around Jewish history — and skewers it
By Jackie Hajdenberg
Noah Segan in 'Blood Relatives' (Shudder)
November 25, 2022, 1:48 am
In new comedic horror film, Holocaust survivor vampire faces his surprise daughter
Noah Segan writes, directs, and acts in ‘Blood Relatives,’ a not-too-bloody road trip movie with an uplifting message about family and the benefits of uniting in the face of evil
By Renee Ghert-Zand
Members of the Saraya al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestine Islamic Jihad movement, take part in a military parade. in Al-Shati refugee camp, west of Gaza City, on June 24, 2022. (Attia Muhammed/Flash90)
August 4, 2022, 2:00 pm
Daily Briefing Aug. 4: Israel on edge after terror head’s arrest; Holocaust humor
Military correspondent Emanuel Fabian on Israeli responses to heightened Islamic Jihad threats; news editor Amy Spiro takes a look at a ‘Big Brother’ foray into in-jokes for Jews
By ToI Staff
Comedian Judy Gold. (Anne Whitman)
June 16, 2022, 4:10 am
Can you laugh at that? Comedian Judy Gold on where to draw the line – then cross it
The comic, a proud gay Jewish mom, is moderating a June 16 panel on humor in today’s world where working comedians will weigh in on how they navigate hatred and hypersensitivity
By Cathryn J. Prince
Billy Crystal performing a 'Yiddish scat' routine during the 75th annual Tony Awards, June 12, 2022. (Screenshot via JTA)
June 14, 2022, 8:36 am
Billy Crystal scats in ‘Yiddish’ at Tony Awards
Comedian-actor flavors live performance with Jewish humor, complete with ‘oy vey’ chant
By Andrew Lapin
Comedian Pete Davidson attends the premiere of 'Big Time Adolescence' at Metrograph, on March 5, 2020, in New York. (Evan Agostini/Invision/AP, File)
April 30, 2022, 8:30 am
Pete Davidson to star in autobiographical comedy with Yiddish title
‘Bupkis,’ which will air on NBC’s Peacock streaming service, will reportedly reflect comedian’s self-deprecating sense of humor
By Andrew Lapin
Taika Waititi, center, playing Hitler, wrote and directed 'Jojo Rabbit.' Roman Griffin Davis, jumping to his right, co-stars. (Kimberley French/Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp. via JTA)
April 8, 2021, 8:03 am
Podcast: Too soon? Israeli scholar explains why Holocaust humor is here to stay
Granddaughter of survivors Dr. Liat Steir-Livny says analyzing the use of Shoah jokes in contemporary Israeli society offers a window into sabra souls
By ToI Staff
Author David Rakoff during an interview in Toronto, 2010 (Frank Gunn/AP Photo/The Canadian Press)
May 14, 2020, 6:14 am
Locked down? Open up to… David Rakoff’s defensively pessimistic wit
Award-winning humorist, who died at age 47, would have had lots to say about today’s tumultuous world
By Renee Ghert-Zand
Jay Baruchel plays a heartbroken millennial trying to navigate the crazy modern world of dating in 'Man Seeking Woman.' (Screenshot from YouTube/via JTA)
April 29, 2020, 5:40 am
Locked down? Open up to… ‘Man Seeking Woman’
Feeling down about the lack of romance during quarantine? This adults-only Hulu program is your antidote
By Arielle Kaplan
Load More

Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community

Sign in or Register

Paying ToI Community members are invited to comment on articles
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By joining you agree to the terms and conditions
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Join The Times of Israel Community
Sign in or Register
Only ToI Community members can comment below articles
Forgot your password? / Send me a login link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.
Join The Times of Israel Community
Commenting is available for paying members of The Times of Israel Community only. Please join our Community to comment and enjoy other Community benefits.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Confirm Mail
Thank you! Now check your email
You are now a member of The Times of Israel Community! We sent you an email with a login link to . Once you're set up, you can start enjoying Community benefits and commenting.
Back to top
Never miss breaking news on Israel
Get notifications to stay updated
You're subscribed
image
Register for free
and continue reading
Registering allows you to manage your newsletters and alerts and helps us improve your experience. It takes just a few seconds.
Already registered? Enter your email to sign in.
Please use the following structure: example@domain.com
Or Continue with
By registering you agree to the terms and conditions. Once registered, you’ll receive our Daily Edition email for free.
Register to continue
Or Continue with
Log in to continue
Sign in or Register
I forgot my password / Send me a sign in link
Or Continue with
check your email
Check your email
We sent an email to you at .
It has a link that will sign you in.