Volume 4, Issue 2, 5770
Jewish Women in Comedy: Is it Okay to Make Fun of Ourselves?
Having survived another winter, many of us are eager to laugh again. So it was a perfect time to explore Jewish women comics who are boldly pushing boundaries. One issue that came up a lot in our interviews with comedians is whether it’s okay to make fun of our religion, given that we are a minority? Does it only matter if the joke is funny, or is there more to it than that? We asked some Jewish women comics—from those fairly new on the scene to those who’ve already "made it"—what they had to say on the matter.
Michelle Cove, Editor, mcove@brandeis.edu
In This Issue
- The Nanny: From Risky to Risqué
Actress Fran Drescher straddles the hazy line between hysterical and outrageous in Jewish comedy.
- Catch a New Rising Star
Comedian Alana Eisner explains the joy of making a crowd laugh, the anxiety of pissing them off, and what not to do if you’re heckled.
- Rein in the Jew Jokes
Why certain things that some of us find funny—perhaps against our better judgment—should not be spread around.
- A Documentary Shout-Out to Making Trouble
Gail Reimer, executive producer of the documentary Making Trouble, shares her insights on this eye-opening film about Jewish women comedians who pushed the boundaries.
- Meet Stand-Up Comic Betsy Salkind
She has been questioning religion since she was 10 years old. Find out how Betsy managed to transform her questions into jokes—and make a living from it.
- Volume 4, Issue 2 Resources
A sampling of resources that provide more information on Jewish women in comdedy
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