Jewish humor isn’t just about getting a laugh—it’s an essential part of Jewish identity. According to a 2020 Pew Research Center survey, 34% of American Jews say having a sense of humor is a crucial aspect of their Jewish identity. That’s more than the number who prioritize being part of a Jewish community (33%), eating traditional Jewish foods (20%) or observing Jewish law (15%).
Humor occupies a unique space in Jewish life, acting as both a coping mechanism and a source of joy. It bridges generations, lightens heavy topics and reflects the resilience of a people who have weathered history’s harshest challenges with sharp wit and a good punchline.
It’s this connection between humor and identity that author Adam Kegel captures in his new book “The Best Of Jewish Humor,” a celebration of what it means to laugh as Jews.
Jewish humor: the group
The same sense of humor that defines Jewish identity is on full display in Kegel’s Facebook group aptly named “Jewish Humor.”
Take a recent post poking fun at how Jews handle splitting a check after a meal. The first comment, “Not funny at all,” sparked a cascade of replies explaining why it was hilarious. In true Jewish humor fashion, the discussion ended with the original poster agreeing it was, indeed, funny.
That post came from Kegel, the group’s creator and administrator, whose page has grown to include over 241,300 members since its inception in 2014. The group has become a go-to space for laughter and connection, a digital haven where humor reigns supreme. And now, with the release of his book, Kegel is bringing those laughs to an even wider audience.
Adam Kegel’s journey into Jewish humor
For Kegel, humor is deeply personal. Growing up in Montreal, Sunday mornings were marked by his parents tuning into AM dial 1410, station CFMB, to hear Jewish comedy and music on Nachum Wilchesky’s program. “The show was like medicine,” Kegel recalls. “It made my parents forget their hardships even if just for a moment.”
That experience sparked Kegel’s lifelong appreciation for humor and ultimately inspired him to create the “Jewish Humor” Facebook group. “I welcome all new members with open arms,” he says, adding that the group thrives because of its members. “But I remind them to follow the rules: Be kind and if you can’t say something nice, just scroll past.”
Why Jewish humor resonates
“Comedy never changes; it’s either funny or it’s not,” Kegel says. “In the moment of a laugh, you forget every problem you ever had. ‘Laughter is an instant vacation!’”
His book balances fresh jokes with timeless humor from legends like Joan Rivers and Henny Youngman whose work, he says, “never gets old.” Kegel fondly remembers his parents laughing at Groucho Marx and Rodney Dangerfield, a joy that left a lasting imprint on him.
“The Best Of Jewish Humor” collects some of the most beloved jokes from his group paired with comments from members that often rival the jokes themselves.
Humor as a lifeline
Perhaps most poignantly, Kegel highlights the role of humor in Jewish resilience. “In concentration camps, Jews created plays and told jokes because the only thing they could do was laugh at their predicament,” he says. “The people who had the greatest reason to weep learned more than anyone else how to laugh. In today’s troubled world, reading the funniest Jewish humor jokes is just what the Jewish doctor ordered.”
An invitation to laugh and learn
The book also includes a chapter, “Let’s Have Fun with Yiddish,” which explores the humor and cultural richness of the language. For Kegel, it’s a way to keep Ashkenazic traditions alive while bringing smiles to a new generation.
The conclusion of “The Best Of Jewish Humor” takes a deeply personal turn, sharing the story of Kegel’s Holocaust-survivor parents. “If my parents hadn’t survived, I wouldn’t exist and neither would this book,” he says. Their resilience inspires his mission to spread laughter and positivity.
As we wrapped up our conversation, Kegel left me with one final thought: “I guarantee anyone reading this book will have many, many laughs. And laughter truly is the best medicine. Who knows, it might even save a life.”
“The Best Of Jewish Humor” is available now on Amazon in multiple formats with a new edition featuring fan-favorite comments just released.
