Jewish Humor

Ziv, Avner (Editor)

ISBN 10: 1560009918 / ISBN 13: 9781560009917

Published by Transaction Publications, 1998

About this Item

Orig. published in 1986, this edition from 1998 contains both new material & a new Introduction, in 223 pages with Index & Scholarly Bibliography in rear. Part of a collection of social science books just removed from storage where they have been since the 1990s following review for an academic publication (review notice laid in), this trade paperback is in Near Fine condition: brand new save for slight smudging/foxing to fore edge side of text block. Else, completely clean, bright & unmarked. Our photos depict the Exact book you will receive, never "stock" images of books we don't actually have! Same day shipping on all orders received by 2 pm Weekdays (Pacific time); later orders, Weekends, & holidays ship very next business day.

Seller Inventory # 027401

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Jewish Humor
• Publisher: Transaction Publications
• Publication Date: 1998
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1560009918
• ISBN 13: 9781560009917
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: First Edition First Printing
• Condition: Near Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Social Sciences-Sociology-Social Anthropology-E...
  • Race/Ethnic Studies-Literature::Judaica/Holocau...
  • Comic Art/Cartoons/Humor/Animation/Graphic Novels

About this title

Synopsis

The thirteen chapters in this book are derived from the First International Conference on Jewish Humor held at Tel-Aviv University. The authors are scientists from the areas of literature, linguistics, sociology, psychology, history, communications, the theater, and Jewish studies. They all try to understand different aspects of Jewish humor, and they evoke associations, of a local-logical nature, with Jewish tradition. This compilation reflects the first interdisciplinary approach to Jewish humor. The chapters are arranged in four parts. The first section relates to humor as a way of coping with Jewish identity. Joseph Dorinson's chapter underscores the dilemma facing Jewish comedians in the United States. These comics try to assimilate into American culture, but without giving up their Jewish identity. The second section of the book deals with a central function of humor--aggression. Christie Davies makes a clear distinction between jokes that present the Jew as a victim of anti-Semitic attacks and those in which the approach is not aggressive. The third part focuses on humor in the Jewish tradition. Lawrence E. Mintz writes about jokes involving Jewish and Christian clergymen. The last part of the book deals with humor in Israel. David Alexander talks about the development of satire in Israel. Other chapters and contributors include: "Psycho-Social Aspects of Jewish Humor in Israel and in the Diaspora" by Avner Ziv; "Humor and Sexism: The Case of the Jewish Joke" by Esther Fuchs; "Halachic Issues as Satirical Elements in Nineteenth Century Hebrew Literature" by Yehuda Friedlander; "Do Jews in Israel still laugh at themselves?" by O. Nevo; and "Political Caricature as a Reflection of Israel's Development" by Kariel Gardosh. Each chapter in this volume paves the way for understanding the many facets of Jewish humor. This book will be immensely enjoyable and informative for sociologists, psychologists, and scholars of Judaic studies.

About the Author

Avner Ziv is professor in the Department of Psychology and Education at Tel Aviv University. He is the author of Personality and Sense of Humor and the editor of National Styles of Humor.