Why has laughter played such a central role in Jewish life, literature, and culture?  Writer, editor, translator and all-around wise guy, Boris Dralyuk, will lead us on a historical overview of Jewish wit as a response to diaspora, persecution, assimilation, and resilience—tracing its roots in Eastern and Central Europe and its transformation in the American context. From the melancholic ironies of Sholem Aleichem and Kafka to the neurotic brilliance of Philip Roth and Gary Shteyngart; from the zany wordplay of S.J. Perelman and the Marx Brothers to the existential absurdities of Woody Allen and Andy Kaufman; from the bawdy stage presence of Fanny Brice and Sophie Tucker to the razor-sharp provocations of Joan Rivers and Sarah Silverman—this seminar will explore how Jewish humor has both reflected and refracted the anxieties, aspirations, and identities of modern Jewish life. Join us for a journey through laughter that’s as much about survival as it is about punchlines.

Breakfast at 9:30 a.m., Seminar at 10:30 a.m. There is no cost to attend, but please indicate your attendance by registering on the link below.