Can We Tawk? – A History of Jewish Humor

Comedy professor and performing artist Sara Felder will deliver a concise history of Jewish humor, from biblical times to Purim shpiels, Chelm fools, jokes and stereotypes, Yiddish vaudeville, the Catskills, sit-coms, sketch, stand-up and contemporary performance.  By studying the history and the relationship of the Jewish people to humor we hope to understand an essential aspect of Jewish identity and culture. What does Jewish humor have to teach us about Jewish history and culture?  If Jewish humor was born out of persecution, what is the role of Jewish humor today, in a time of less oppression?  And, most importantly, is Sarah Silverman good for the Jews?  Come talk, listen, watch and laugh.  Lots of audio and video clips will add to our discussion.

Prime Time Club is a monthly gathering featuring lunch and interesting guest speakers for congregants and guests 65 (or getting there) and older.

Bio:
Sara Felder is a playwright and performer who, over the last 3 decades, has created a body of work that juggles personal narrative, circus shtik and social justice.  She has toured with San Francisco’s Pickle Family Circus and Joel Grey’s Borscht Capades and performed at Jewish/Yiddish cultural festivals all over the world.  Using her signature style of addressing important social issues with humor, her solo theater shows – all comedies -- have tackled such topics as a traditional Jewish lesbian wedding in June Bride, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict in Out of Sight, Abraham Lincoln/depression in Melancholy A Comedy and grief in A Queer Divine Dissatisfaction.

Felder currently teaches the “Art of Comedy” in addition to other Theatre and English classes at San Francisco State University.   She has also taught “Gender and Comedy” at Road Scholar in addition to lecturing on Jewish Humor.  Felder believes in the power of humor, not just to entertain but to heal, instruct, expose, attack and create/build community.