From Sinai to Seinfeld: Jews and Their Jokes
This course reveals a treasure of irresistible jokes from the Israelite relationship with God to the growing divide between cultural and religious Judaism in the early 21st century. Treating Jewish jokes as text, this course invites learners to analyze and interpret the evolving concerns, styles, rhythms, preoccupations, and values of the Jewish people buried deep in words. Long since part of the Jewish soul, humor throughout history, has elevated our spirit and bonded us as a people.
Table of Contents
Lesson 1 – How to ‘read’ a Jewish joke
Lesson 2 – A lack of graves
Lesson 3 – The goyim annoy’em
Lesson 4 – If you’re so smart…
Lesson 5 – The joy of text
Lesson 6 – Take my wife, please
Lesson 7 – “You can change your noses but not your Moses”
Lesson 8 – Dig, I’m Jewish
Lesson 9 – Mothers and others
Lesson 10 – Seriously funny
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