The Haunted Smile

01What's Jewish comedy all about?

Ever heard the one about the Jewish man who walked into a bar? Well, he owned it. This joke, like many others in Lawrence J. Epstein's "The Haunted Smile: The Story Of Jewish Comedians In America," is a testament to the unique brand of humor that Jewish comedians have brought to America. But what's the story behind this humor? What makes Jewish comedy, well, Jewish? To understand Jewish comedy, we need to go back to its roots in the European Jewish communities. Jewish humor, as Epstein explains, is a reflection of the Jewish experience, steeped in their beliefs, values, and the trials they've faced. Take, for instance, the humor of Sholem Aleichem, a Yiddish author whose stories often revolved around the everyday struggles of Jewish life in Eastern Europe. His humor was a way to cope with hardship, a tool to make the unbearable bearable. But Jewish comedy isn't just about making light of tough times. It's also a reflection of the unique cultural and social experiences of the Jewish community. The Jewish people have a long history of diaspora, persecution, and resilience, and these experiences have shaped their sense of humor. In Epstein's book, he shares an anecdote about a Jewish comedian who joked about his family's escape from Nazi Germany. The joke, while dark, was a way for the comedian to process his family's traumatic history and share it with others. When Jewish immigrants brought their humor to America, it was deeply rooted in their tradition and history. But it also evolved and adapted to the American context. Jewish comedians like the Marx Brothers and Jack Benny used humor to navigate their dual identities as Jewish Americans. Their comedy was a way to fit in and stand out, to be both part of the American fabric and distinctly Jewish. Jewish comedy, as Epstein's book shows, is more than just a form of entertainment. It's a form of cultural expression, a way for the Jewish community to express their identity, share their experiences, and engage with their history. Consider the comedy of Lenny Bruce, who used humor to challenge societal norms and confront anti-Semitism. His comedy was a form of resistance, a way to assert his Jewish identity in a society that often marginalized it. So, what's Jewish comedy all about? It's about laughter, sure. But it's also about history, identity, resilience, and expression. It's about a community that has used humor to navigate their experiences, share their stories, and engage with their past. And as long as there are Jewish comedians, there will be Jewish comedy, evolving and adapting, but always rooted in the Jewish experience. So, what's the next chapter in the story of Jewish comedy? Well, that's a punchline we'll just have to wait for.