Breakfast with Comedian Steve Calechman

What Makes Jewish Humor Funny?

9:15 am Breakfast
9:45 am Program
10:45 am Q & A

Brotherhood’s January breakfast will be led by Steve Calechman, a talented comedian, host, and speaker. Steve has emceed two Temple Isaiah events – an auction and a comedy night. At these events, Steve shared jokes and anecdotes. This time, Steve’s visit will be less about joke telling and more about discerning what is unique about Jewish humor.

Steve Calechman says funny things. He’s done it in clubs, bars, and zoos. Once, he did it on a ladder. He especially loves if the place has a gift shop. And an ark. And a bin of yarmulkes. If they’re at least 15 years old, even better. He’s worked with Sarah Silverman, Bobcat Goldthwait and Steven Wright, and appeared in The Proposal with Sandra Bullock. He’s been a correspondent for the New England Patriots online show, and, for eight seasons, he was the voice of the Boston Lobsters professional tennis team. He’s twice emceed a Fiddler on the Roof sing-along, come in second on an episode of Jeopardy, and is a contributing editor for Men’s Health. Taken together, he knows everything from how to de-shell a hardboiled egg to all 42 state capitals. If that wasn’t enough, Steve grew up in Newton as a hardcore Reform Jew. It goes without saying, the guy’s got serious transliteration skills.

So, please join us for a discussion of Jewish humor. Steve will tell some of his favorite Jewish jokes and then ask a few questions. What makes it funny? What makes it a Jewish joke? Is there any need for Jewish jokes anymore? And yes, you’ll get to ask questions as well. More than that, Steve wants you to tell your favorite Jewish joke, so come prepared. You’ll get to see how funny you think you are. You get to critique your friends. He’ll give you some feedback on your delivery, and, at the end, we’ll decide what the funniest Jewish joke of all time is. Or maybe we won’t. But we’ll have some laughs trying and at least we’ll have bagels.

Talks in this series are sponsored by Brotherhood and include a delicious buffet breakfast of assorted bagels, smoked salmon, pickled herring, whitefish salad, tabbouleh, desserts and more. Admission is $10; free to Brotherhood members. For further information, email brotherhood@templeisaiah.net.