Oct

30 2018

When Did Jews Become Funny?

10:30AM - 12:15PM  

JCC of Middlesex County 1775 Oak Tree Road
Edison, NJ, NJ 08820
732-494-3232 (Phone)
732-548-2850 (Fax)
efendrick@jccmc.org
http://www.jccmc.org

Contact Esther Fendrick
732-494-3232 (Phone)
732-548-2850 (Fax)
efendrick@jccmc.org
http://www.jccmc.org

Phil Halpern examines the dominant role Jews have played in the world of comedy and enlivens the conversation with illustrations and videos. He will give examples of different characteristics of Jewish humor and how they became an integral part of American comedy. Clips of famous Jewish comedians, Fanny Brice, Mel Brooks, Jackie Mason, Alan King and others will be used to create a historical perspective of American Jewish comedy.

Phil Halpern has a lifelong love of comedy. His teachers often commented (especially in Hebrew School) that he was more interested in jokes than in his studies. He has done extensive research on the subject of comedy, has taught history of comedy courses for Osher Life Long Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College, Jewish comedy courses at synagogues, and reviewed a comedy book for the Jewish Voice in the Berkshires. After almost thirty years working as an executive in the food and confectionary industry, he and his wife, Linda, bought a bed and breakfast in Lenox MA. They retired in 2015 and live fulltime in Stockbridge MA.