Ep. 14 — Why Humor Became a Survival Tool for Jews w/ Modi Rosenfeld (MODI)

A lineup of prominent Jewish comedians can be found in this seminal work: The Big Book of Jewish Humor: A Definitive Illustrated Collection of Jokes, Wit, and Comedy from the Marx Brothers to Philip RothGet it here:Amazon US - https://amzn.to/4vceuzDAmazon Canada - https://amzn.to/4v7WM01Jewish history has many survival strategies — and one of the greatest is laughter. In this episode, host Jimmy Bitton sits down with internationally acclaimed comedian Modi Rosenfeld for a conversation that’s equal parts hilarious and profound.From the origins of his career to the role of Jewish context in comedy, from performing in Israel to navigating free speech, Modi reminds us that humor is not just entertainment — it’s identity, resilience, and sometimes even prayer. Along the way, he reflects on the legacy of Jewish comedy giants — from Alan King’s to Jackie Mason. Other big names that come up are Seinfeld’s Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David’s — and how they shaped both his voice and Jewish culture at large.Modi also shares why Canada ranks among his top destinations, with Toronto and Montreal as two of his top favorite cities to perform, and gives us a glimpse into his upcoming show “Pause for Laughter.”Together, Jimmy and Modi explore:​How Jewish comedy doubles as Jewish education​The cultural differences between audiences in Israel and North America​Why October 7 changed the way even laughter feels​Where stand-up comedy still protects freedom of speech​And of course, a few Jewish jokes that land differently depending on who’s listeningThis is an episode that will make you laugh, reflect, and maybe even recite a blessing.Echoes Media — Unfiltered. Unfashionable. Unafraid. Position your brand where leadership listens: Follow MODI OUR SPONSORThis episode of Echoes of Jewish History is brought to you by the Wharton DC Innovation Summit.👉 Don’t miss it — register now: Wharton DC Innovation SummitExplore Echoes Media: https://jimmybitton.com