Museum Of The Jewish People At Beit Hatfutsot Celebrate Global Jewish Contribution To Comedy And Honor Caroline Hirsch

The Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot will hold a gala honoring the contributions of Jews to the world of comedy and celebrating its hugely popular, critically-acclaimed exhibit, "Let There Be Laughter - Jewish Humor Around the World," on Monday, Dec. 17 at the Mandarin Oriental New York (80 Columbus Circle). Cocktails will begin at 6 pm.

Proceeds from the evening - presented by the American Friends of Beit Hatfutsot - will directly support the Museum, a one-of-a-kind global institution in Tel Aviv that tells the story of the Jewish past, present and future through relevant, engaging and ever evolving content. The Museum's new Core Exhibition, scheduled to open in December 2019, will celebrate Jewish life and inspire appreciation of the values, history and achievements of the Jewish people.

"Let There Be Laughter," currently on view at the Museum, celebrates the diversity and vitality of Jewish humor and explores how elements of Jewish comedy remain constant across the boundaries of time, space and language. Rich in history and full of challenging cultural questions, the exhibit examines the origins of Jewish humor from every hilarious angle.

Exhibit highlights include a replica of Jerry Seinfeld's iconic NYC apartment living room from "Seinfeld," personal artifacts from some of history's greatest Jewish comedians, and interactive stations that enable visitors to have their say about what makes them laugh.

The gala will include a special tribute to Caroline Hirsch, founder and owner of the legendary Carolines on Broadway comedy club, and founder of the New York Comedy Festival.

The event will also feature performances from emerging Jewish stand-up comics headlined by Modi, Yidlife Crisis, Greg Radin and Eric Neumann.

Notables expected to attend the gala include former U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman (Honorary Chair of the Museum of the Jewish People at Beit Hatfutsot), award-winning actor John Lithgow, comedian and actor Gilbert Gottfried and comedian and actress Judy Gold.