Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By admin on June 7, 2024

Mens events designed to gather men together hold significant importance for fostering community, personal growth, and spiritual development. These events can help men build meaningful relationships, support one another through lifes challenges, and grow in their faith and leadership roles.

Just such an even is coming up and all St. Louis men are invited to enjoy a special night of comedy, food and fellowship on June 10 at The Factory in Chesterfield. The Mens 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, Were 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 Im funny! When you get a genuine crazy laugh, its 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 wasnt surprised that it went viral because I knew it was a good bit and its of the times. I was genuinely surprised by the vitriol because I dont think its 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 didnt 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 thats the most important skill. Ive gotten a bunch of interviews where they ask, What were you trying to say with that bit? I wasnt 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 hadnt gone into entertainment, would you possibly have been a chef?

Ive actually interned in fancy kitchens and its definitely not for me. I love cooking, but cooking in a restaurant sounds like a nightmare. Its the last thing Id 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 Mens Event expect to hear from you?

Im going to put on a show that regardless of if youre Jewish or not, youre going to have a great time. Its going to be an awesome show. Im not an Iranian comedian. Im a comedian who happens to be Iranian. Im not a Jewish comedian. Im a comedian who happens to be Jewish.

Tickets for The Mens Event are available here.

Originally posted here:

JFed's 'Mens Event' promises laughter and connection - St. Louis Jewish Light

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