Israeli-American Comedian Modi Rosenfeld, who took part in the inaugural AJC’s Voices Against Antisemitism (https://www.ajc.org/voicesagainstanti...) Campaign, just-released a stand-up comedy special, Know Your Audience, which reflects a principle he has always subscribed to. But what happens when you know your audience is suffering a trauma like no other? Listen to this conversation with Modi, who was in Israel on October 7, on how he jokes about antisemitism and what he sees as his mission in this difficult moment: helping the Jewish community laugh again.


Episode Lineup: 


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(0:40) Modi Rosenfeld



Show Notes:


Learn more:


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AJC's Voices Against Antisemitism: Meet the Celebrities Standing Up for the Jewish People and Israel (https://www.ajc.org/voicesagainstanti...)


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modilive.com (https://www.modilive.com/)



Photo Credits:


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John Cafaro



Credits – Standup Clips:


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On Antisemitism (   • Modi at The Comedy Cellar on antisemi...  )


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Jewish Boyfriend (   • Jewish Boyfriend   #modilive #comedy  )



Listen – People of the Pod on the Israel-Hamas War:


•

A Look Back: AJC’s Award-Winning “Remembering Pittsburgh” Series (https://www.ajc.org/news/podcast/a-lo...)


•

Jewish College Student Leaders Share Their Blueprint for Combating Antisemitism (https://www.ajc.org/news/podcast/jewi...)


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Matisyahu’s Message to His Fellow Jews and to the Israel Haters Trying to Cancel Him (https://www.ajc.org/news/podcast/mati...)


•

Unheard, Until Now: How Israeli Women Are Powering Israel’s Resilience (https://www.ajc.org/news/podcast/unhe...)



Follow People of the Pod on your favorite podcast app, and learn more at AJC.org/PeopleofthePod (https://www.ajc.org/peopleofthepod)


You can reach us at: [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])


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Transcript of Episode with Modi:


Manya Brachear Pashman:  


Comedian Modi Rosenfeld, known by his fans as simply Modi, is nearing the end of a live national tour, co-hosts his own podcast, and he recently released his first televised stand-up comedy special titled Know Your Audience. It’s a principle the Israeli-American comedian has always subscribed to. But what happens when you know your audience is suffering a trauma like no other. Here with us to talk about how we can and why we should laugh again is Modi Rosenfeld. 


Modi, welcome to People of the Pod.


Modi:  


Hi, People of the Pod.


Manya Brachear Pashman:  


You were born in Tel Aviv and grew up on Long Island. Tell us how you found your way to comedy. 


Modi:  


I was actually just doing investment banking. And I used to imitate the secretaries. And my friends said this is really funny, you should do it on stage. And they set up an open mic night. And that was about 30 something years ago. And that's how the comedy began.


Manya Brachear Pashman:  


The special that I mentioned was filmed nearly a year ago. It was filmed before the Hamas terrorist attack and the war. You talk about COVID, you talk about marrying your millennial husband, you talk about Shabbat elevators. I'm curious if you do feel like the material still resonates in the current climate? 


Modi:  


Ever since October 7, I've been doing my shows and not mentioning the war itself. Until the very end where I sing Hatikva with the audience. I feel like the audience needs a moment to just laugh and not think about the war. And not think about what's happening in Israel and just have a laugh about being Jewish, being Jewish, about non-Jewish people. 


Sometimes I tell the story about how I was October 7, while I was in Israel. And then sing Hatikva with the audience, people seem to, they're very touched and moved by it. And it reminds them, now, let's just remember where our hearts and where our prayers and where our thoughts are.


Manya Brachear Pashman:  


So let's talk about where you were on October 7.


Modi:  


The war began at the end of the holiday of Sukkot and I was in Israel. I had six shows, sold out shows in Israel that were absolutely amazing. One of the highlights of my career. Thursday was the last show. Friday we were there for Shabbat and Saturday we were scheduled to fly out to Paris to do four shows there. And obviously Saturday morning, the alarms went off and t...