In this delightful and hilarious episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, comedian Modi Rosenfeld opens up about faith, fame, identity, and building unity through Jewish comedy. Recently named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 10 New York Comedians, Modi discusses what it means to be a proudly Jewish comedian in today’s cultural climate, and why laughter is his path to creating what he calls “Messianic energy.”
From performing at the Comedy Cellar, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and soon Radio City Music Hall, to navigating conversations with fellow comics like Dave Chappelle and Ben Shapiro, Modi shares candid insights on comedy, politics, and Jewish pride.
He reflects on growing up Israeli in America, coming out as gay later in life, marrying his husband Leo, and supporting LGBTQ inclusion within the Orthodox community through organizations like Eshel. Modi also reveals how COVID, Zoom shows, and social media transformed his career into a global brand with audiences in Israel, Europe, and beyond.
With humor and heart, this episode explores Judaism, comedy, Israel, identity, and the power of laughter to bring people together in divided times.
Topics discussed include:
- Modi Rosenfeld on being a “Jewish comedian” vs. a comedian who happens to be Jewish
- Roasting Ben Shapiro at a Commentary Magazine event
- Following Donald Trump at the Republican Jewish Coalition
- Touring internationally in Israel, Paris, Berlin, and London
- Processing October 7th and performing in Europe amid rising antisemitism
- Growing up Israeli-American on Long Island
- Marriage, faith, and partnership with husband Leo
- Supporting LGBTQ Orthodox Jews through Eshel
- Preparing for his upcoming Radio City Music Hall debut
- Building a global audience via Instagram and post-COVID Zoom comedy
- The meaning behind his tour title: Pause for Laughter
Mentioned In The Episode:
Anti-Jew Libels DECONSTRUCTED - Jonah Platt Debunks 4 Lies About Israel & The Jewish People (Part 1)
Modi Rosenfeld Website
Modi Rosenfeld Instagram
The reasons why what is happening in Gaza is not genocide
Amnesty International is among the NGOs bashing Israel
Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and his aid to the Nazis
B’tselem’s “broader analytical framework”
The U.N. Official Who Said Hamas is not a Terrorist Organization
The U.N. Condemned Israel 17 Times, more than the rest of the world combined
Alice Nderitu of the U.N. said Israel’s campaign in Gaza doesn’t meet the definition of genocide. She was fired.
Anyone can be a member of the International Association of Genocide Scholars, Including Cookie Monster and Emperor Palpatine
Arab countries ban Al-Jazeera
Israel distributes over 1 million polio vaccines in Gaza
Palestinian death toll passes 70,000
Defining genocide in a post WW2 world
Isreal’s critics rewrite the definition of genocide
Hineni Society Event with World-Renowned Comedian Modi
David Attel Instagram
Jeff Ross Instagram
Jerry Seinfeld Instagram
Chris Rock
Who are the classic Catskill Comedians
Old Jewish Catskill Comedian's Classic Jokes
The Messianic Era
Release of latest Epstein files unleashes online wave of antisemitic conspiracies
Modi | Know Your Audience (Full Comedy Special)
Q&A | Comedian Modi Is Running on ‘Moshiach Energy’
What Are Tefillin?
The Gestapo: Overview
Jewish comedian Modi Rosenfeld, a mainstay for Orthodox audiences, is gay. So what?
The Comedy Cellar
Ben Shapiro Roasted By MODI
Dave Chappelle Mocks “I Stand With Israel”
Dave Chappelle and the Space Jews
Jon Carhart
Republican Jewish Coalition
U.S. Congressman Mike Johnson
Orthodox Judaism and LGBTQ Issues
Eshel
Ritual Hand Washing Before Meals
What is Chabad?
A New Light
Fran Liebowitz
Modi Rosenfeld, Gay Jewish Comedian, Talks ‘Moshiach’ Energy, Celebrating Shabbat and Comparisons to Robin Williams and Richard Pryor
Ta’anit 22a-b: A Place in the World to Come
France reports dozens of antisemitic acts since Hamas attack
The History of Hatikvah
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Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt