But, alas, it’s time to post again which was a good excuse to fix the site (in just two hours, I found someone on Fiverr, sent the order, and had it delivered back. Now that’s what the internet is for!)

In any event, Joel Chasnoff and I are releasing a book about Israel in the spring of 2023 so what better reason to whet your appetites with some teasers? Without further ado, here’s one of the issues we’ll be digging into in the book.

One of the most misunderstood aspects of daily life in Israel relates to guns. It’s a topic that, sadly, is again in the news after the recent school shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

Many visitors to Israel assume that the country has little gun control, if any. Tourists are surprised by the abundance of soldiers, typically in uniform but sometimes in T-shirt and jeans, walking around with assault rifles slung casually over their shoulders.

But as law professor Dr. David Weisburd of Hebrew University explained to us when we interviewed him for our book, Israel has very strict gun control policies. To qualify for a license, a person needs to prove s/he needs a weapon. Examples include security personnel, tour guides who lead groups into secluded and dangerous areas, and veterinarians who work with potentially threatening animals.

But even then, according to The Times of Israel, forty percent of applications are rejected. Those who are approved can own one gun at a time, and almost always a handgun (no rifles or automatic weapons). Ammunition is capped at fifty bullets per purchase.

Do Israel’s gun laws work?

The country’s homicide rate is less than a third of America’s.

Part of this is due to Israel’s gun laws, but Professor Weisburd points out that there’s a sociological factor too. “Israelis have experience with guns primarily through the army,” he says. “Though young soldiers might first ‘enjoy’ the idea of having a gun, they soon come to see it as a responsibility, one that is necessary for national protection.”

The post Not-So-Open Carry: The Israeli Gun Control Paradox appeared first on Benji Lovitt.

What an interesting year it’s been. Zoom, Zoom, and more Zoom. Over the last few months, I’ve performed for groups in Ireland, India, South Africa, and of course, North America and Israel. Take a look at some recent testimonials….

(Nothing like a global pandemic to give you lots of new material.)

Though I’m no longer traveling to perform in the US, I’ve had the opportunity to meet groups I wouldn’t normally speak to (like Hadassah of Montana last month). If you’re looking for some fun programming for Chanukah or beyond, talk to me.

The post What a Long, Strange Year It’s Been… appeared first on Benji Lovitt.

If you aren’t on my mailing list, check out my latest newsletter which came out yesterday including this video from my comedy club, I mean, living room.

Stay healthy out there and keep laughing!

The post COVID-19: Moving Laughs Online appeared first on Benji Lovitt.

Did you hear the story about the Ministry of Absorption fabricating aliyah success stories, using fictitious names and stock image photos to encourage immigration? (Because, you know, why use real people?) Further investigation has uncovered some of the fake profiles, previously thought to be actual immigrants. My latest on the Times of Israel….

Rivka Silverberg
Silver Spring, Maryland, USA
Favorite Israeli tradition: Yom Haatzmaut BBQ/mangal, burning (live) meat

“I love Tel Aviv! There is nothing better than Shabbat on the beach, drinking arak, and playing matkot with my pet dragon Bamba. What took me so long to come home?”

Moishe Goldfarb
Manchester, England
Zionist dream: Long-term shlichut on Planet Melmac

“I came so far to get here, it sometimes feels like another planet. I could never have adjusted if not for my wonderful host family, and the food is fantastic! But why does everyone complain about the cats?”

Fleur Dubovski
Paris, France
Favorite Israeli beverage: Tea (Party) with nana

“Everything feels so familiar to me here! In fact, I can see Russia from Bat Yam!”

Alexei Polivkin
Kiev, Ukraine
Most meaningful experience: Working as volunteer firefighter on Masa program

“I don’t know if I would have made aliyah if not for the incredible health care I received during my Masa internship. At an out-of-control Lag B’Omer party, I suffered third-degree burns on my face and spent three weeks recovering in Hadassah Hospital. My experience there inspired me to earn my graduate degree in sleep studies (completely free under the age of 30).”

Claire Levine
Sydney, Australia
Favorite Shabbat activity: Melting in the Dead Sea

“Ever since I moved to the Negev, life has been perfect! Just as Ben-Gurion dreamed, I too hope to ‘make the desert broom’.” (cackles uncontrollably)

Simon Borstein
Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Professional aspiration: Become attorney general

“Israel is MY home!!!! (pounds fist) Everyone is against ME! Israelis should thank me for making aliyah because ONLY I CAN RESCUE THIS COUNTRY!!!!!!”

Photo by RONEN ZVULUN / POOL / AFP

Victor Rodriguez
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tip to future olim: Avoid exorbitant Israel bank fees by hoarding cash in your offshore account

“Israel is a beautiful nation.. It has felt like my home from the moment I arrived. It is almost a shame that I have to share it!”

The post Fake Immigrant Profiles Uncovered! appeared first on Benji Lovitt.

On a hot Tel Aviv night, over 45,000 people rocked out during the triumphant return of classic rock band Bon Jovi. Considering I have a word limit, “on a hot Tel Aviv night” may have been the most unnecessary lede in the history of journalism. Then again, some called this very concert “unnecessary” after the band’s 2015 visit.

Friend: “They were just here a few years ago. Isn’t it too soon?”
Me: “THAT’S too soon? We’re having national elections twice in five months.”

You can read it in its entirety here.

The post Bon Jovi Concert Review: Two Jovis Up appeared first on Benji Lovitt.

The post I Love Shlichim (Video) appeared first on Benji Lovitt.

Enjoy this blog post as seen here:

In 2006, I left my Jewish communal job in New York and made aliyah. This week, I fly to the US to perform standup comedy shows about Israel for Jewish organizations. Neither of these things would have happened if not for my experiences at Young Judaea summer camps. My Jewish identity, connection to Israel, leadership and communication skills, and so much more are a result of my journey which began as a camper, then a staff member, and continue to this day.

Today, my friends are camp directors, camp parents, and Foundation for Jewish Camp employees, and have done wonders to improve the camping world over the years. I can only imagine how camp has evolved since my first summer in 1984.

Without further ado, here are the top 10 ways camp has changed since the ‘80s:

10 – The chadar ochel now includes a Starbucks.

9 – Camp cheers downloadable via Soundcloud.

8 – “Today is the last day of camp. To capture the current moment, you’ll now write yourself a text message which will be sent to you in 5 minutes.”

7 – Loud, colorful outfits are worn ironically for theme parties, not because they don’t know better.

6 – OUT: Name labels on clothing. IN: Campers connected to lost socks via Bluetooth.

5 – The bunk cleanup wheel now includes the KonMari method for cubby organization.

4 – Archery and ceramics replaced by coding and podcasting.

3 – Tsofim caravan performance includes autotune and smoke machine.

2 – Kids no longer terrified by ghost stories but by having to go three weeks without Instagram.

1 – It’s even better now!

The post Top 10 Ways Camp Has Changed Since the ’80s appeared first on Benji Lovitt.

Here’s proof in the form of a TV interview (shockingly my Hebrew wasn’t so bad!)

Despite my lack of written content, I’ve been doing a lot more standup as of late which I’ve really enjoyed, as my material gets less oleh chadash-y (new immigrant-ish) and more Israeli (or at least, more sophisticated in terms of my observations). If you haven’t seen my show in a while, you have several opportunities here in Israel, and I’m already planning my next few US trips.

Here’s what I’m up to over the next few weeks (more details here or coming soon).

If you’re looking for some fun Israel programming, talk to me! And be sure to subscribe to my newsletter at the bottom of this page for more updates.

The post This Month in English-Jewish-Israeli Comedy appeared first on Benji Lovitt.

Last night, the Israeli people were let down by Prime Minister Netanyahu’s unfulfilled promise of a “dramatic announcement.”

Here are the top 10 actual dramatic announcements of 2019.

10. Theodore Herzl is still dead.

9. Forward this list to 10 people and a message from Bill Gates will appear on your screen.

8. (hidden behind paywall)

7. You are going to LOVE #6!

6. It’s going to snow in Gush Etzion — this time we mean it!

5. The high speed train is done!

4. It’s almost Pesach. Start cleaning.

3. The high speed train is not done.

2. Right now….somewhere in this country….someone is doing sponja.

Hey, look! My first sponja in 2006. No, really.

1. National elections are April 9th. Please vote!

—

Co-written by Liron Kopinsky

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A bit of what I’ve been up to:

The Jewish Federations of North America held their annual General Assembly in Tel Aviv for the first time ever. I was in attendance and filmed a few short interviews for the Times of Israel, asking people to weigh in on the America-Israel relationship (per the “We Need to Talk” theme). The following video is with David Bryfman, long-time Jewish educator of the Jewish Education Project in New York.

You can watch the rest (and read the rest of my recent newsletter) here and subscribe to future updates at the bottom.

Last week, I had the pleasure of leading a cultural differences workshop at the Foreign Ministry for a group of economic diplomats from around the world. It’s amazing how many stereotypes and generalizations you can unpack and debunk in an hour.

And because I never tire of cultural differences talk, in just a few weeks at the huge Limmud Festival in England, I’ll be debuting a presentation I’ve thought about for years: “Curb Your Confusion: Cultural Differences through Larry David”. And that’s all I’ll say about that for now. : )

Wherever you are and whether you prefer applesauce or sour cream with your latkes, chag Chanukah sameach!

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