November 14, 2022
From Biblical Sarah to Seinfeld, 4,000 Years of Jewish Humor, Rabbi Arnie Sleutelberg will inspire humor throughout history on November 30 at 7 p.m. in the Oakland Center banquet rooms A and B. An open reception will begin at 6:15 p.m., and everyone is welcome.
Sponsored by the Cis Maisel Center for Judaic Studies and Community Engagement, Sleutelberg’s timeless takes will kick off with a dessert reception at 6:15 p.m.
“We wanted to bring an event to celebrate humor and laughter, especially at a time when we need some,” said Dr. Michael Pytlik, director of the Maisel Center. “Rabbi Arnie’s wonderful journey through Jewish humor will be chicken soup for our souls.”
Sleutelberg balances his 28 years in synagogue leadership with a compassionate and light-hearted outlook.
“There is nothing so sacred that we can’t joke about it,” he says.
After earning his bachelor’s degree from Albion College, Sleutelberg received his master’s degree and rabbinic ordination from Hebrew Union College in New York. He’s now Rabbi Emeritus of Congregation Shir Tikvah, where he devoted his career to teaching, counseling, and his community.
While he’s earned extensive education in traditional Jewish studies, Sleutelberg has also considered himself a “life-long student of Jewish humor.”
“[Jewish] history is such that we weren’t allowed to engage in the typical professions. We weren’t allowed to attend university. We weren’t allowed to own land. About the only thing we were allowed to do was to be merchants or to entertain,” he says. “So, when we brought that to America, we finally had a level playing field and we let our talents shine. That’s why we are so over-represented in that field.”
Sleutelberg cleverly situates history within his stand-up, ensuring a delight of a night to an arrayMof audiences, from a history buff to a Seinfeld fan.