Joel H. Cohen is a New York-based humorist and satirist, who especially enjoys lampooning political figures. Occasionally, he writes a serious column. His “Just Kidding” satires are always identified on San Diego Jewish World to avoid possibly confusing our readers.
By Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — An old joke that’s resurfacing tells of a little boy coming home from school and excitedly telling his mother, “I got a part in the class play” “Great,” says his mom, “What character do you play?” “A Jewish husband,” the boy replied. “Well, you go right back and tell […]
Fact- checking an old Jewish joke Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK–President Trump is so impressed with two Jewish customs described to him by his son-in-law, he’s urging even non-Jews to employ them. One of the pre-High Holy Day practices in question is tashlich, in which Jews symbolically cast their sins into flowing water with pieces of bread, usually on the
‘Just kidding’: Trump likes 2 High Holy Day customs Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H Cohen NEW YORK — A popular old story tells of a Jewish woman on a New York City subway sitting next to a bearded man who’s wearing a black hat and long black clothing. After minutes of staring at the man, the woman can’t contain herself. “I don’t understand you people,” she
As Judgment Day nears, let’s try being less judgmental Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joel H. CohenBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — President Trump salutes the Jewish people and threatens “sackcloth and ashes” for any person or group that does harm to a Jewish individual or people. These themes emerged in the just-leaked first draft of the president’s prepared Rosh Hashanah message to Jews everywhere. He dedicates his remarks “to
‘Just kidding’: Trump’s Rosh Hashanah message Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — Just revealed: borsht and a prospective U.S.-Russian production of Fiddler on the Roof were the main subjects discussed at the hitherto secret meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin at the G-20 meeting in Hamburg, Germany. Highlights of the session were released today by the Russian translator, the only
‘Just kidding’: Trump, Putin discuss ‘Fiddler,’ borscht Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — Although it’s a tremendous honor serving as the conduit for divine blessing, and though Aaron, our founding father, is cited in prayer as a paragon of peace, being a Kohen is not for sissies. Sure, there are perks –we’re called for the first aliyah (even the first two,
Just Kidding: A Kohen’s life is not for sissies Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — The trio celebrated in so many jokes — a priest, minister and rabbi — were discussing a mutual problem: how to rid their respective houses of worship of a stubborn family of squirrels who’d taken residence there. The priest and minister had valid ideas, but the topper came
More bar than mitzvah? Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — Ever since our patriarch Abraham dispatched a servant to find a wife for his son Isaac, arranged marriages have been a staple of Jewish life. (Isaac’s son Jacob did it on his own, and got two wives for just the price of 14 years of labor). From Biblical
Shadchan weddings: ‘Have I got someone for you!’ Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — President Trump, often criticized for failing to act “presidential,” has reluctantly taken the advice of his daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner and convened a telephone conference of five shul presidents for their suggestions. The presidents, four men and a woman, are from various parts of the nation
‘Just Kidding’: Trump conducts a presidential round table with synagogue leaders Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & Satire, USABy Joel H. Cohen (A Shavuot highlight is the reading of the Book of Ruth, a remarkable widow who, rather than return to her native Moab and her own family, chose to stay with her mother-in-law and accompany her on her spiritual and physical journey, adopting her people and religion. How Ruth’s family reacted to that
‘Just Kidding:’ If Ruth’s Moabite family wrote to her Read More »
Jewish Religion, Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — Invoking his “great love” for his family, the Jewish people and Israel –“I can say the word now” – President Trump planned to sign an executive order establishing a national Ten Commandments Day in honor of Shavuot. He wants to make the holiday “great again,” he said. But
‘Just Kidding’: Trump drops Decalogue Day Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK –Jared Kushner recently bounded happily into the Oval Office to share a plan he’d developed that he believed would protect Trump holdings from competition. He cited a controversy in Brooklyn, New York, involving two kosher pizza restaurants. The owner of the older, established restaurant contended that by moving across
‘Just kidding:’ Talmudic doctrine could help Trump properties Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK — President Trump is considering naming an Israeli to head the FBI, according to unidentified sources. The prospective nominee – nicknamed “Falafel” by Trump, presumably to preserve his anonymity – is reportedly a former member of Mossad, Israel’s secret intelligence service. While not confirming or denying the report,
‘Just kidding:’ Israeli to head FBI? Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & SatireBy Joel H. Cohen NEW YORK –Apparently frustrated with the inaction of what he called “pathetic, so-called Congress” on the wall he wants built between the United States and Mexico, President Trump has hired a Jewish fund-raising firm to conduct the drive for contributions to pay for it. Press secretary Sean Spicer said at
‘Just Kidding’: A Jewish fundraiser for the Wall Read More »
Joel H. Cohen, Trivia, Humor & Satire