Freddie Roman (born Fred Kirschenbaum)
5697-5783; 1937-2022
As the world mourns the loss of an icon, it behooves us to reflect on the fast-disappearing world that was the Borscht Belt. The current nostalgia driven by the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel stems from how much of today’s comedic landscape was inspired by Jewish comedians performing in mid-20th century New York’s Lower Hudson Valley. With air travel prohibitively expensive to all but the most well-heeled, people looked for more affordable vacation options closer to home and thus the Jewish Alps was born.
While Mel Brooks, Woody Allen and Shecky Greene remain the last remaining Catskill Comics, dozens if not hundreds preceded them, honing their material in the mountains before performing on Steve Allen, Jack Parr, Laugh-in and eventually Johnny Carson. Rabbi Jackie Mason, Joan Rivers, Rodney Dangerfield, Estelle Getty, and more were all accustomed to setting up a joke in English before delivering the punch line in Yiddish. People came for the food (which was terrible, but the portions…) and stayed for the entertainment. Bungalow colonies to full-fledged resorts dotted the landscape with names like Nevele, Concord, Grosinger’s and of course the inimitable Kutsher’s Hotel and Country Club.
Much of the humor assumed a high degree of cultural competence and didn’t always translate to new audiences. For instance, Henny Youngman, who Walter Winchell dubbed ‘The King of One-Liners’, performed “A man says to another man, ‘Can you tell me how to get to Central Park?’ ‘No.’ ‘Alright, I’ll mug you right here.” Replacing Central Park with Yoyogi Park kills the joke. Kabuki-cho maybe but even then. These were comedians of a time and place that no longer exists but their genius lives on in Larry David, Jerry Seinfeld, Adam Sandler, Sarah Silverman (whose sister is a rabbi), Billy Crystal and more who take the stage every day (except Shabbat) like Modi and Ariel Elias.
Even though the Borscht Belt era sunset with the advent of more affordable travel and a new generation who preferred sushi to split pea soup, you can turn to most any television show or film and hear an echo of a joke told 70 years ago. So the next time you’re at the JCC for Friday night dinner, channel Henny Youngman and ask ‘for a table…near a waiter.’
Services
Family Shabbat
Friday, December 2nd
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with reservation: 7:00pm
Shabbat Parshat Vayetze
Kiddush sponsored by the Semaya Family in honor of the upcoming 63rd wedding anniversary of Iris and Ike Semaya. Mazal Tov!
Saturday, December 3rd
Services: 10:00am
Kiddush: 12:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, December 9th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with reservation: 7:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, December 16th
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with reservation: 7:00pm
Shabbat Parshat Vayeshev
Kiddush Sponsored by the Bass Family in honor of David’s arrival back on Japanese shores
Saturday, December 17th
Services: 10:00am
Kiddush: 12:00pm
Kabbalat Shabbat
Friday, December 23rd
Services: 6:00pm
Dinner with reservation: 7:00pm
Shabbat Parshat Miketz/Rosh Chodesh Tevet/6th Day of Hanukkah
Three Torah Take-Out!
Kiddush Open for Sponsorship
Saturday, December 24th
Services: 10:00am
Kiddush: 12:00pm
Events
Annual Family Tzedaka Project
Sunday, December 4th
11:00am at the JCJ
Get Fit with Idit – HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
Wednesday December 7th
5:00pm – 6:00pm (session 1)
7:30pm – 8:30pm (session 2)
Location: JCJ
Cost: FREE
Registration Details
Community Hanukkah Celebration
Sponsored by Doctors Arron Besant and Hotaka Matsui
Sunday, December 18th
3:30pm – 7:00pm at the JCJ
Registration Details
If you have an idea for an event or a topic you would like to share with others, please visit our website.
Announcements
Ambassador Rahm Emanuel dazzled the congregation with his keen insight and acerbic wit last night. Thank you to Chicagoland’s own Eric Siegel for sponsoring falafel, hummus and refreshments including Koval Whiskey and Goose Island IPA proudly made in the Windy City. Kudos to Sherry Greenfield and the Events Committee for organizing, President David Semaya for his opening remarks and Tal, Ayako-san, Ozawa-san and Izaki-san for ensuring everything went off without a hitch.
Condolences to Jeffrey Behr on the loss of his dad, Jake. May the family be comforted among the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.
Congratulations to our hometown Samurai Blue on utilizing their 大和魂 to best Franco’s Spain, thereby condemning Japan’s onetime Axis ally Germany to the dustbin of the World Cup.
Yiddish Club with Jack Halpern: Meetings have started monthly in-person at the JCJ. Please contact Jack at jack@cjki.org if you are interested to join. All levels are welcome, from beginner to advanced. Much more than just language, the club enjoys exploring Yiddish culture as well.
Shabbat Parshat Vayetze
Candle Lighting: 4:09pm
Havdala: 5:09pm
(earliest of the year!)