Volume 67, Issue 4  

Comedy Nite Rocks the Commons

by Gennady Gelman

October 24th – Weissberg Commons showcased up and coming talent in the world of humor this evening with the Yeshiva Student Union event  “Comedy Nite at the Commons.” The prompt 8PM kickoff coupled with sizeable attendances from both the Wilf and Midtown Campuses testified to both the event’s punctuality and popularity.

As the doors to the Commons swung open, crowds piled in, charging for the much-heralded munchies:  over 1400 slices of sushi and platters loaded with Chinese food were perched on tables around the room.  At around 8:30, having munched through most of the victuals, some 270 attendees took to their seats.

The evening’s host, Sy Syms Senior Elly Goldenberg, then welcomed all students and introduced the night’s opening act: comic Lenny Marcus, who has appeared on NBC and MTV, as well as comedy clubs across the country.  Marcus’ jokes about his sister, the teacher, elicited hoards of laughter from the audience.  “My sister is a teacher and when the kids do something bad she threatens them that she’ll give them a zero,” mused Marcus. “I think we should use zeroes in the real world. Like if you don't like your cab driver, tell him you'll give him a zero.”

After Marcus descended the stage to resounding applause, Goldenberg introduced Modi, the featured act of the night. Modi is a “regular” at well-known comedy clubs in New York, including Caroline’s, Comic Strip, and Stand-up New York. He has also appeared on Comedy Central, NBC, and has recently completed a pilot for HBO. Taking the mic he quipped, “I did HBO, NBC and now the lobby of Yeshiva.” 

As part of his interactive routine, Modi pointed out an audience member donning an excessively colorful sweater, gibing that it must have been the student’s birthday.  He went on to poke fun at Jewish names, which seem to change curiously as time goes on.  According to Modi, the archaic Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov, seem to have been displaced by the more modern Shimsh and Hesh.

And he wasn’t done yet.  “You can do certain things to non-Jewish girls that you can’t do to Jewish girls,” said Modi, pausing for effect. The crowd responded falling silent, but eagerly awaiting the punch line.  “You can call them Christine,” he continued to tremendous cheers.  “That's what their names are. If you get a single red rose for a Christine and say ‘I got you one rose because you're the only one for me‘ she will melt and think that ‘you're so sensitive‘. When you do the same thing to a Rivka, she will say ‘Oh, what, are you too cheap to get the other 11?’”

Overall, students responded positively, both during and after the event, and many are looking forward to future entertainment.  “It was a good idea,” enthused Sy Syms Sophomore Lisa Getman.  “The campuses got to interact.” 

As for the food, Adina Sara Stub, Stern College for Woman Sophomore, summed it up, saying that “the food was geshmak.”

Andrew Leibowitz, Assistant Dean of Students, joined in the praise for the event. “It was a tremendous success,” said Leibowitz. “It's always nice to see both campuses get together for a night of socializing, fun and, of course, FOOD! Hats off to all the student council on a job well done.”

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