Jewish Philanthropy Podcast · Dovid M Cohen

Topic: Comedy & Philanthropy Guest: Modi Rosenfeld

·44 min·2 clips

Modi says he is “a shliach of the Lubavitcher Rebbe” every time he performs for Jews.

1. Jewish Philanthropy Podcast with Modi Rosenfeld centers on comedy, Jewish identity, money, and giving. 2. David M. Cohen introduces himself as a rabbi, lawyer, fundraiser, therapist, and author, and Modi Rosenfeld is the guest comedian known as “Modi.” 3. The episode asks how a performer uses laughter, Jewish pride, and philanthropy to shape public life. 4. Modi describes a Pesach performance at the Diplomat Hotel in Miami, Hollywood, where he flew from Los Angeles to Florida with luggage and arrived minutes before Yontif. 5. He recalls a scooter rolling into the room during that show and turning into an opening joke about why a microphone should be allowed if an electric scooter is allowed. 6. He says he has seen “every type of Pesach program,” and lists Miami, Doral, and Aventura as places where he is working this year. 7. Modi explains that his tour and new special are called “Know Your Audience,” which means changing material based on the room. 8. David Cohen compares spontaneous stage work to being asked for a drasha at a shul vacation program without preparation. 9. Modi says he was born in Israel, moved to North Woodmere at age seven, and has not lived in Israel since childhood. 10. He connects the changing Jewish landscape of the Five Towns to Ort Torah, Temple Hillel, Hebrew Academy, and earlier Bar Mitzvah-era memories. 11. Modi says comedy started while he was working in investment banking and imitating secretaries. 12. He says a friend pushed him to do the impressions on stage, and that step became the beginning of his career. 13. He tells a story about trying to fit in last-minute flights to Miami for Pesach and later says his material is built on “enjoy the ride.” 14. He says his pandemic social-media characters, including “Yoyly,” were created because audiences were captive at home and watching phones all day. 15. Modi names the Lubavitcher Rebbe as one of his biggest influences and says the Rebbe’s lesson was to help other people first. 16. He says he feels like a shliach of the Lubavitcher Rebbe when he performs for Jewish audiences and uses comedy to unite Jews rather than mock Judaism. 17. He says “not every gig is the same,” and contrasts theater shows with fundraising events where a depressing film comes before his set. 18. He says good sound, good lights, and no food matter, because once food hits the table during a Jewish event, comedy becomes harder. 19. Listeners who like Jewish comedy, touring stories, and philanthropy discussions will get the most from this episode. 20. Listeners wanting a technical comedy craft interview with less Jewish context may skip it.

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