Joel H. Cohen is a New York-based humorist and satirist, who especially enjoys lampooning political figures. Occasionally, he writes a serious column. His “Just Kidding” satires are always identified on San Diego Jewish World to avoid possibly confusing our readers.
By Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — “My grandmother has forgotten everything,” an Italian comedian joked,”except her grudges.” The funny-sad comment rings true for a lot of folks, and not just Italians or grandmothers. Among champion grudge-holders are some of our own people, of all ages and both genders (though men seem to have a […]
Grudges are forever Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — As we East Coast residents shudder in anticipation of snow and sleet, we also tremble a little at the thought of the inevitable flurry of year-end letters to come. It you’ve ever received any, you know that the no-detail-too-small missives (of interest mainly to grandparents) almost always come
Oy, those year- end letters from over- achievers! Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USABy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — The motto on a bumper sticker in an Orthodox Jewish neighborhood in Brooklyn — “Stamp Out Lashon Hara” — seemed like a wonderful idea. Curbing our “evil tongue” — ridding ourselves of the inclination, if not the desire, to gossip about, slander, defame, disparage, ridicule, belittle or simply embarrass another person — was and is certainly a
Real challenge: Eliminate lashon hara Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joel H. Cohen, USABy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — In what may be hid most controversial appointment yet, President-elect Donald J. Trump has confided to intimates he’s seriously considering naming israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a special envoy at large. According to insiders’ reports, Trump had thought of naming Bibi to his cabinet, but “then there’d
‘Just Kidding’: Bibi may become Trump’s special envoy Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — President-elect Donald J. Trump has tweeted that he intends to have a shul built in the White House “to make Judaism great again.” He said that Judaism “was once a great religion, but had waned during the Obama years. And, if Hillary had been elected President, it would
‘Just Kidding’: Trump to build shul in White House Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USABy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — Today’s observance of Veterans Day takes me back to a Memorial Day parade years ago, when it was the custom on Staten Island, NY, to rotate the leadership of the march annually among the various local veterans organizations. Early that May, I got a phone call from a
Jewish marchers and political correctness Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, USABy Joel H. Cohen In ancient documents recently discovered by archeologists, Absalom charged that his brother Solomon’s ascendancy to the throne was “rigged.” Absalom told an ancient scribe, “Crooked Sol conned the corrupt media into believing he was the smart one, but I had him beat by an incredible number of cubits. When he wasn’t
‘Just Kidding’: Absalom calls Solomon’s rise ‘rigged’ Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — A group of Brooklyn pulpit rabbis, heads of yeshivas and prominent laymen has quietly enacted an informal, non-binding agreement to rein-in “extreme” shuckling. The compact applies to themselves, their students and congregants. The action came in the aftermath of injuries suffered by an unidentified 12-year-old boy, who swayed so
‘Just Kidding’: Regulating extreme shuckling Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — We’ve come a long way from the time when Jewish garment workers and others who wanted to observe Shabbos were told on Friday, “If you don’t come in tomorrow, don’t bother coming in on Monday.” Observance today is easier, thanks to such advances as the five-day work week, and
Dilemmas of taking off work on Jewish holidays Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joel H. CohenBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — The Hebrew Free Burial Association has been burying indigent Jews in the New York area since 1888, and in recent years has been doing its interments in Staten Island. One intriguing aspect is that volunteers from synagogues,and yeshivas in the area and beyond attend the funerals to
Coincidence, providence and free burials Read More »
Jewish History, Joel H. CohenBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — A story I enjoy hearing (and retelling) deals with a synagogue in which two factions can’t agree on whether everyone stands when Kaddish is recited or just the mourners. At an impasse, they finally decide to consult the oldest member of the congregation, whose mind is still sharp,
Stiff- necked — who us? Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — With the approach of the High Holidays and other Yom Tovim, and Chanukah not that far off, it’s not too early to be thinking about gifts for Jewish friends and relatives. Here are a few suggestions of unique, appropriate gifts: “ESTHER, Mein Shvester” (my sister). A recently discovered
‘Just Kidding’: Bedroom mechitzas and other gifts Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK – Downtown Abie, a series about the shifting fortunes and intriguing rise, fall and recovery of a conflicted Jewish man and his family, will debut this October on public television stations throughout the nation. It is just “a happy coincidence,” its producers say, that the show’s title so closely resembles
‘Just Kidding’: New TV series ‘Downtown Abie’ Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — Years ago, in the wide-open office of a trade newspaper where I worked, a young woman staffer suddenly stood up and declared in a loud, clear voice: “When you’re in love, the whole world is Jewish.” And then she quietly sat down. I don’t know how long her love
When the whole world seems Jewish Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & Satire