For the second year, the Jewish Community Center will host an evening of Jewish joke telling and comedy — and crown the best joke-teller in St. Louis. Purim Night Live will take place at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 1 at the Jewish Community Center Staenberg Family Complex, 2 Millstone Campus Drive It is free and open to the public (ages 18 and older). 

“In addition to the mitzvot of reading the megillah, sending gifts to neighbors and friends, giving gifts to the poor and having a festive feast, one of the customs of the Jewish holiday of Purim is to put on a “shpiel,” laugh and rejoice together as a community,” says Rabbi Brad Horwitz, JCC Director of Jewish Engagement and Adult Programs. “This Jewish joke telling event is a fitting way for adults to come together and get in the mood for the Purim holiday soon to follow that week.”

Local comedian and JCC Director of Programming Craig Neuman will be the master of ceremonies for the event.  In addition, a special rabbinic panel of judges will include Rabbi Elizabeth Hersh from Temple Emanuel, Rabbi Hyim Shafner from Bais Abraham Congregation and Rabbi Jonah Zinn from Congregation Shaare Emeth. 

Those attending are encouraged to bring their funniest joke or two to share (or organizers will have some available for participants to tell). A $360 cash prize will be awarded to the winner. The event is free, but RSVPS are required by Feb. 24 to Rabbi Brad Horwitz [email protected]. This event is chaired by Richard Katz and coordinated by the JCC Helene Mirowitz Center of Jewish Community Life.