“From the Borscht Belt to the Bible  Belt: Jewish Humor in Dixie”

Dr. Jarrod Tanny

UNC Wilmington, Dept of History, Block Distinguished Scholar in Jewish History

Jewish humor comes in many styles adapting to changes in where the Jews live, work and laugh. 

About the presenter: Dr Tanny teaches history at UNC Wilmington where he is the Charles and Hannah Block Distinguished Scholar in Jewish History. After completing a Ph.D. in Russian and Jewish History at UC Berkeley, Dr. Tanny was a post-Doctoral Teaching Fellow at Ohio University. Originally from Canada, he completed an M.A. at the University of Toronto and a B.A. at McGill University.

His 2011 book, City of Rogues and Schnorrers examines the Russian city of Odessa, famous for its large and varied Jewish population, ranging from gangsters to comedians.  

His current book, Laughter through Fears: Jewish Humor and Post-World War II America, traces the origins of American humor to the Yiddish speaking shtetls of Europe. “To truly understand Seinfeld and Sarah Silverman, one must understand Sholem Aleichem.”

Lunch Provider TBA.

RSVP by May 7 to guarantee lunch. 
After May 7 or when bookings are full, please call 919-676-6170 to RSVP. Lunch will not be guaranteed. 

JCC Members: FREE     General Community: $10.00

This program is partially funded by a BJH Foundation Grant. Date and speaker are subject to change.  Please verify with JCC before the RSVP date.