A special night of comedy, food and fellowship is coming up June 10 at The Factory in Chesterfield. The Men’s Event is being planned by Jewish Federation to bring together a wide cross-section of the community.

According to Amy Bornstein, senior director, transformational giving, “We’re really trying to bring everyone together for a fun night, and make sure that people have the chance to feel the connection in the room.” Headlining the program is Iranian Jewish comedian, actor, producer and writer Dan Ahdoot. Recently, Ahdoot shared his thoughts on stand-up comedy with the Jewish Light.

Do you remember the first time you got a laugh and how it made you feel?

It was in kindergarten. I think I realized that I have a little bit of a superpower because I always was kind of the smaller kid and would get, you know, picked on and beaten up. So it was nice to have that superpower. In high school I realized, oh my G-d, cute girls that I have no business talking to think I’m funny! When you get a genuine crazy laugh, it’s better than any feeling.

You recently did a routine that went viral about how Palestinian chants roll off the tongue a little easier than Israeli chants. Were you at all surprised by the reaction it got?

I wasn’t surprised that it went viral because I knew it was a good bit and it’s of the times. I was genuinely surprised by the vitriol because I don’t think it’s the most controversial thing that I say, “I think Israel has a right to exist.” I thought that joke would get me a lot of likes. I didn’t think it would get me death threats. That was a shocker to me.

Being able to take a serious situation as a setup and get humor out of it, is that a skill that a comic needs to master?

I think that’s the most important skill. I’ve gotten a bunch of interviews where they ask, “What were you trying to say with that bit?” I wasn’t trying to say anything. I saw an opportunity for a good joke. And I took it. With comedians, rule No. 1 is be funny.

 Your podcast, Green Eggs and Dan, is quite popular. You are a student of food and cooking. If you hadn’t gone into entertainment, would you possibly have been a chef?

I’ve actually interned in fancy kitchens and it’s definitely not for me. I love cooking, but cooking in a restaurant sounds like a nightmare. It’s the last thing I’d want to do. My podcast is just a way for me to scratch my foodie itch and perform comedy at the same time. I try to be at the intersection of comedy and food. And I have a show on the Food Network coming out to prove it.

What are some of the themes the audience at The Men’s Event expect to hear from you?

I’m going to put on a show that regardless of if you’re Jewish or not, you’re going to have a great time. It’s going to be an awesome show. I’m not an Iranian comedian. I’m a comedian who happens to be Iranian. I’m not a Jewish comedian. I’m a comedian who happens to be Jewish.

Tickets for The Men’s Event are available here.