In the winding backstreets of New York's Greenwich Village, historic comedy clubs serve as launching pads for aspiring comedians. While these venues may seem unassuming – often cramped, with sparse menus and modest stages featuring solitary microphones – they've catapulted the careers of comedy giants. Stars like Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Amy Schumer have transformed their wit into empires extending far beyond the Big Apple.

It was in one such club that a former Wall Street whiz traded spreadsheets for punchlines in the late 1990s, taking a chance on stage – and finding his true calling. Modi Rosenfeld, known professionally as Modi, has built his fame and packed venues largely by tapping into his Jewish heritage, even weaving Holocaust memory into his routines with surprising deftness.

Having moved to the United States at age seven, Rosenfeld's Israeli identity remains core to his being. "The Israeli mindset is part of my DNA," he explains. "Sure, I grew up stateside, but our home was 100% Israeli. Hebrew was our language, and our social circle was all fellow Israelis."

After earning his degree from Boston University, Rosenfeld stepped into the cutthroat world of American finance – living out the fantasy of countless Jewish mothers. Yet it was here that fate threw him a curveball. "Post-work dinners with colleagues became my informal comedy club," he recalls. "I'd start mimicking our secretaries and cracking jokes about office life. One friend insisted I had to take this talent to the stage and set me up for an open mic night. Talk about fish out of water – I showed up in an Armani suit, suspenders and all, while everyone else looked like they'd rolled out of bed."

"Must've struck comedy gold that night because the club manager practically begged me to come back. Before I knew it, I was knee-deep in New York's stand-up scene. From there, I hit the road, performing across the US Somewhere along the way, I stumbled into this niche that resonated with Jewish audiences. My act was clean, no profanity. Next thing you know, I'm getting calls to perform at synagogues, charity galas, you name it."

Rosenfeld's comedic journey began with impressions. In 1999, he took the plunge, resigning from his cushy gig at Merrill Lynch to pursue comedy full-time. "It wasn't an overnight success story," he reflects. "Early on, I was just doing impressions – larger-than-life characters with exaggerated accents. It took years to find my authentic voice, and turns out, it was Jewish. Very Jewish. When Chris Rock opens his mouth, you instantly see a Black guy from New York. When I start talking, you're getting the full Jewish New Yorker experience."

Rosenfeld credits his big break, in part, to his Ashkenazi Jewish roots, which continue to be a goldmine for material. From Yiddish kvetching to the cultural tug-of-war between Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jews, even touching on Holocaust trauma – he fearlessly mines every stereotype. In one memorable bit, he playfully attributes the outbreak of World War II to the Jewish tradition of Shabbat elevators.

"When I stepped on stage, I saw how desperately they needed that 90 minutes of laughter and release." (Ohad Kab)"Picture this: It's Friday night in pre-war Berlin. Hitler and Goebbels step into a Shabbat elevator, see every button lit up, and it clicks – it's those pesky Jews again." He seasons the joke with comically exaggerated German. "By the time they hit the 39th floor, they're wheezing and scheming about what to do with the Jews."

He then riffs on those who might not appreciate the dark humor: "If you got the joke – mazel tov. If it went over your head – congrats, now you've got something to complain about. And let me tell you, it's precisely these complaints keeping the Messiah away. Why? Because there's always that one yenta after the show going, 'First off, I'm not big on humor, but that whole Hitler and Goebbels bit – he really crossed a line...' That's when even the Messiah throws his hands up and says, 'I can't with these people,' and rolls his eyes."

Asked if non-Jewish audience members might feel lost in the niche humor, Rosenfeld flips the script. "Think about it this way: when we travel in Europe and get told 'you absolutely must see this famous cathedral,' we go in, and within minutes we're getting a crash course in Christian culture. It's the same deal with my shows. I see my jokes as a bridge to the Jewish world, built with comedy and pride. Trust me, non-Jewish folks can follow along just fine," he asserts. "Nothing beats seeing non-Jews bringing their Jewish buddies to my shows. I've even had women in hijabs in the audience. Turns out they were nurses, invited by their coworkers. That's the magic of comedy – it brings people together."

In recent years, Rosenfeld has taken his act global, filling venues across Europe. His upcoming itinerary includes Australia and another European tour before circling back to the US circuit. As he navigates different cultures and languages, his style remains consistent – though the challenge to evoke laughter intensifies.

Q: Do you notice differences between your US, European, and Israeli audiences?

"In Europe, I branded my shows as the 'Reparations Tour' – a nod to Germany's Holocaust compensation payments. I'd get on stage, proudly proclaim my Jewishness, and joke about how we control the media. You could hear a pin drop. In Europe, many Jews still keep a low profile, taking down mezuzahs and anglicizing their names. So when they see this guy boldly embracing his Jewish identity on stage – it's a shock to the system. Nobody does that there."

In the US, he's warmly embraced, especially in states with significant Jewish populations like New York, California, and Florida. The reception shifts, however, when he ventures into what he dubs "real America."

"Take Charlotte, North Carolina, for instance. I call it 'exile.' True exile. When word gets out that a Jewish comedian is coming to town, it's like the whole city shows up. In the big metropolitan areas, they're spoiled for choice with daily events supporting Israel or the Jewish community. But in places like Nashville or Charlotte? Everyone's itching to see the Jewish comedian, so they flood in. And when they remember I'm also gay, they bring along their LGBTQ+ friends too. It's a different vibe, but man, is it electrifying."

Reflecting on his Israeli audiences, Rosenfeld explains the evolution he's experienced from his first performance there to today. "The crowd in Israel holds a special place in my heart. Initially, I'd only perform for the Anglo crowd there. You know, the Ra'anana set – it's like Israel's version of Great Neck," he quips, referencing an affluent Jewish-American enclave on Long Island.

"Now, I've got this whole new audience – native Israelis who've discovered me through social media. So during shows, I'm constantly switching gears, translating jokes on the fly for those who might not catch every English nuance. If their English is shaky, I've got to pivot quickly into Hebrew. It's all about knowing your audience – that's the golden rule in this business. I even named one of my tours after that concept." Rosenfeld is set to reunite with his Israeli fan base on September 12th, marking his debut at the prestigious Heichal HaTarbut. This performance cements his status among the elite entertainers who've graced Israel's premier venue.

Throughout his career, Rosenfeld has coined the term "Messiah energy" to describe the unifying force he sees at his shows. "I genuinely believe comedy can pave the way to peace," he muses. It's a weighty topic, especially in light of recent events. Rosenfeld found himself in Israel when war broke out on Oct. 7, having arrived for a scheduled performance.

"I'd had this incredible week during Sukkot in Israel, and then came that devastating Sabbath. By Monday, I was due in Paris for a show. Normally, I never cancel – the stage is where I belong. But this time, I had to be mindful of how much news I was consuming."

"My podcast is called 'And Here's Modi' because I'm used to following up on intense situations. Usually, at fundraisers – whether for medical causes or organizations like United Hatzalah or Magen David Adom – they'll show a heart-wrenching video, and then I take the stage. But this time, it was all too real. By the time I performed in Paris, just days after the war started, everyone had been glued to the news, watching horrific footage. When I stepped on stage, I saw how desperately they needed that 90 minutes of laughter and release."

"Since then, I've been closing every show with 'Hatikvah.' I've done this across Europe and the US, asking everyone to remember where our hearts and prayers are, and to join in singing the anthem. It's my way of bridging comedy with the harsh realities we're facing. We need these moments to breathe, to laugh. That's why I've dubbed my next tour 'Pause for Laughter.'"

When asked if he feels his humor carries a different weight in these times, perhaps even a sense of mission, Rosenfeld doesn't hesitate. "Mission is exactly the right word – 10%. That's how I view my work. I wish I could do even more for the Jewish people. Thank God, I've got a diverse audience, but it's predominantly Jewish. Some might say I'm 'preaching to the choir,' but you know what? Sometimes that choir needs a refresher course, and I use humor to remind them of its power. Noa Tishby teaches history. Michael Rapaport channels anger. We've all got our lanes. Mine happens to be comedy. Because when I look out at an audience laughing for 90 straight minutes, I see the essence of Judaism – harmony and unity. That's why I see every performance as a mission for our people."

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Renowned comedian Jerry Seinfeld found himself in a tense situation during his recent performance at the Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney. The 70-year-old artist, best known for his iconic sitcom "Seinfeld," was forced to address a disruptive audience member who began chanting pro-Palestinian slogans mid-show.

BREAKING: Jerry Seinfeld CRUSHES Anti-Jewish Heckler

"Middle East 100% Solved"

During his show in Sydney, Australia, Jerry Seinfeld shut down an anti-Jewish heckler. The crowd erupted in cheers as security escorted the activist out of the venue.

One word: Legend.… pic.twitter.com/4veiQJMcJt

— Shirion Collective (@ShirionOrg) June 16, 2024

 Videos circulating on social media captured the moment when a man's voice could be heard shouting, "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free," interrupting Seinfeld's set. Undeterred, the seasoned performer swiftly responded with his trademark wit. "We have a genius, ladies and gentlemen," Seinfeld quipped. "He solved the Middle East. It's the Jewish comedians, that's who we have to get. They're the ones doing everything."

As security personnel moved in to remove the heckler, some members of the audience chanted "Jerry" in support of the comedian. Seinfeld then addressed the protester directly, his remarks laced with sarcasm. "They're going to start punching you in about three seconds, so I would try and get all of your genius out," he said. "It's a comedy show, you moron. You're really influencing everyone now, we're all on your side, you made your point so well. You've come to the right place for a political conversation. Tomorrow we will read in the paper, 'Middle East 100% solved thanks to man at the Qudos Arena stopping Jew comedian.'"

Jerry Seinfeld demolishes anti-Jewish heckler. - Sydney, Australia

Crowd cheers as security boots the activist.

Taken by AJA CEO Robert Gregory pic.twitter.com/9rUhfHu7tG

— Australian Jewish Association (@AustralianJA) June 16, 2024

Seinfeld's public stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is well-known. Following the October 7 attacks, he traveled to Israel and met with families of hostages abducted by Hamas. Additionally, a speech he delivered in support of Israel earlier this year prompted walkouts at an American university.

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Dave Chappelle, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon and Amy Schumer are part of a star-studded group of comedians that will perform for one night only at Madison Square Garden to mark the 20th anniversary of 9/11.

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All proceeds from "NYC Still Rising After 20 Years: A Comedy Celebration" will benefit 9/11 charities. Proof of vaccination is required.

"We wanted to put on a fun celebration to honor this great city's resilience. It's nice to be able to do this with friends and people we love," Stewart said in a statement.

The show is his brainchild with Pete Davidson, who will also perform.

A ticket pre-sale for the Sept. 12 show begins at noon Wednesday on Live Nation, Ticketmaster.com and MSG and runs until 10 p.m. Thursday, with general tickets on sale starting at noon Friday at Ticketmaster.com.

Bill Burr, Colin Jost, Colin Quinn, Dave Attell, Jay Pharoah, John Mulaney, Michael Che, Ronny Chieng, Tom Segura and Wanda Sykes are also in the line up.

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I assumed, because of the current #MeToo climate, this news would compel CK to disappear from our lives and take his comedy along with him, which is perhaps the most real thing I've ever seen on television.

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Shortly after the reality of his actions sunk in, I suddenly realized that even for someone like me who openly identifies with his brand of humor, the comedian lost a little something. The more one thinks of the sex act, the more one suffers from secondhand embarrassment. To masturbate in front of "consenting" women who either thought he was joking or froze and were too afraid to say no to the comedy giant when he asked if he could pleasure himself in front of them? That's not cool, to say the least. Really. 

Two years ago, five women came forward accusing CK of lewd behavior in an exclusive article in The New York Times. It is likely that CK performed the same act in front of many other women, who refused to speak up. But surely there is something defiant about a man who is accused of such acts selling out halls around the world – three of them in Israel – in such a short time after this news broke. It is almost as if nothing ever happened at all. 

In fact, he seems like a stronger and more confident comedian now. Granted, he's still neurotic and messed up, but in a charming and enlightening way. But do we really need to see him scratching at the bottom of our souls just so he can earn his redemption? Isn't it all a bit unnecessary? After all, we only live once and maybe we don't need to see the shady behind-the-scenes side of show business.

Instead of expecting our cultural heroes to follow a neat trajectory after they fall from grace to consist of coming forward with a spiritual and physical makeover, we should accept them as they really are: tired, worn out, drained of everything except the talent that brought them to the top of the game in the first place and blissfully aware of the embarrassing errors they make along the way.

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