Something to Laugh About:  A Sampling of Jewish Humor

Books of Jewish Interest 2024

Meeting at Bethlehem Public Library and by Zoom on Wednesday afternoon at 4 pm on
July 10, July 24, August 7, and August 21

From Gail Robinson, Books of Jewish Interest Leader

“A 2013 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 42 percent of American Jews rated humor as essential to their Jewish identity.”
— Cathy Lynn Grossman (October 1, 2013). "Survey: Being Jewish means being funny, and that's no joke". USA Today. 12 May 2022.

I don’t know about you, but I need a good laugh. Nothing hits the spot like our own Jewish humor.

It's a way of indicating that people are proud that Jews are funny, that Jews are educated – the people of the book – that these qualities are more important than being 'gastronomic Jews,' " said Alan Cooperman, deputy director at the Pew Research Center's Religion & Public Life Project and a co-author of the survey. While a taste for a bagel and a schmeer is low on the list, wit is a hit for Jews of all ages, including those who may be more likely to know Adam Sandler's goofy "Hanukkah Song" than the ritual Hebrew blessing for the holiday candles.

Want to get ready for a summer of Jewish humor? This YIVO Institute online class may be for you.

Jewish comics themselves confess that they can't turn off their culture even if they don't practice the rituals of Judaism. "I'm Jew-y," Sarah Silverman once told Piers Morgan. "It oozes out of my pores uncontrollably. Personally, I have no religion but … I am Jew-ish. I'm culturally beyond my control."

And what a treasure trove of comedians and writers we have.  Jewish comedy has led the way to some of the most successful formats like the situation comedy, comedy-variety shows to late-night comedy talk shows. And through comedy, we have been able to make fun of ourselves, speak of the most horrific tragedies that have hurt us and by extension the world.

Our co-sponsor, Bethlehem Public Library will be hosting BJI again this year in person and on Zoom.  The library has conference call capability.  It is also handicapped accessible and has plenty of parking.  We will be meeting at the Library (2245 Main St, Bethlehem, NH 03574) on Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. on July 10, July 24, August 7, and August 21.

I have selected four books for the 2024 Books of Jewish Interest summer season.  I have tried to pick authors that would give us a sampling of today’s humor and hopefully whet your appetite to read more on your own.

Books selected for this season are:

  • Wednesday, July 10, 4:00 pm -  Sick in the Head by Judd Apatow, moderated by Nancy Fages

  • ·Wednesday, August 21, 4:00 pm -All About Me! by Mel Brooks, moderated by Dave Goldstone

All books are available at Amazon and Abe’s Books https://www.abebooks.com and are available at the Bethlehem Public Library.  

Meetings are open to anyone, and everyone interested in participating in a reading group.   Contact the book club for details, to volunteer, or get Zoom login information.

Past Books of Jewish Interest Seasons

We have saved our past series logs for your knowledge base. Meetings are open to anyone and everyone interested in participating in a reading group. The actual dates for each book will depend on volunteer and Author availability. Please contact us if you want to volunteer or have questions.