Members of the Case Western Reserve University community are invited to join the Siegal Lifelong Learning Program three-session remote course titled “Bare Necessities: Food, Clothing and Shelter in American Jewish Humor.”
Instructor Ted Merwin, senior writer of the Jewish Federations of North America, will use clips from vaudeville, popular music, film, TV and stand-up comedy routines to show how the basic needs of human existence became the central themes for Jewish American humor.
Following a difficult history, Jews arrived in America both tied to their faith and the idea of freedom. However, they had insecurities living in a capitalist society. As many rose to affluence, they retained their religious and ethnic distinctiveness and became notable creators of pop culture.
This course will be held on three Wednesdays: Nov. 29, Dec. 6 and Dec. 13. The course costs $70, with a 15% discount available to members of the Siegal Lifelong Learning Program.