Joel Chasnoff

Joel Chasnoff redefines the meaning of Jewish comedy. A stand-up comic and best-selling author, Chasnoff is the only comedian who's also a veteran of the Israeli Army. His hilarious take on Jewish life is clean, hip, and wonderfully original; no wonder The Forward calls him the comedic voice of his generation.

A Chicago native, Chasnoff has performed at more than 1,000 fundraisers, universities, and festivals in nine countries. On the road, he was the warm-up act for Jon Stewart and Lewis Black of The Daily Show. He is also a frequent guest on NPR and has appeared on ABC, NBC, and Israeli late-night television.

In 2001, Simon and Schuster published The 188th Crybaby Brigade, Chasnoff's comedic memoir about his tour of duty in the Israel Defense Forces, which the Los Angeles Jewish Journal called "laugh-out-loud funny" and Kirkus Reviews dubbed "horrifyingly hilarious." Chasnoff has also contributed to The Big Book of Jewish Humor: 25th Anniversary Edition and The Idiot's Guide to Jokes and is currently co-authoring The Balaboosta Way: A Mediterranean Cookbook with two-time Chopped! champion Chef Einat Admony.

In his hysterical keynote and stand-up presentations, Joel Chasnoff engages audiences with a personal yet universal tale about the quirks and challenges of being Jewish in America. His story begins in Jewish day school, where he was the starting center on the Solomon Schechter basketball team; continues with his stint as an IDF tank gunner in Lebanon; and concludes with the trials and joys of raising his four Jewish children. His uplifting take on Jewish life and commitment to Jewish continuity make him a natural and often-requested choice for Jewish organizations and groups with ties to Israel. Audiences come away with a once-in-a-lifetime appreciation for the unique relationship between Israelis and North American Jews, and what it means to be Jewish in today's world.