Oy

Step inside a fascinating world of Jews who relate to their Jewishness through the vehicle of punk—from prominent figures in the history of punk to musicians who proudly put their Jewish identity front and center. Why did punk—a subculture and music style characterized by a rejection of established norms—appeal to Jews? How did Jews who were genuinely struggling with their Jewish identity find ways to express it through punk rock? Oy Oy Oy Gevalt! Jews and Punk explores the cultural connections between Jews and punk in music and beyond, documenting how Jews were involved in the punk movement in its origins in the 1970s through the present day. Author Michael Croland begins by broadly defining what the terms "Jewish" and "punk" mean. This introduction is followed by an exploration of the various ways these ostensibly incompatible identities can gel together, addressing topics such as Jewish humor, New York City, the Holocaust, individualism, "tough Jews," outsider identity, tikkun olam ("healing the world"), and radicalism. The following chapters discuss prominent Jews in punk, punk rock bands that overtly put their Jewishness on display, and punk influences on other types of Jewish music—for example, klezmer and Hasidic simcha (celebration) music. The book also explores ways that Jewish and punk culture intersect beyond music, including documentaries, young adult novels, zines, cooking, and rabbis.

From Rabbis to Relationships, Latkes to lawyers, marriage to miracles, and from chazans to chutzpah, here is a feast of over 1,000 old and new Jewish jokes and witty anecdotes-- and you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy them. The book includes an appendix of terms for those who need to brush up on their kvetching. "...this clever kosher compilation generates giggles galore." - Publishers Weekly

The year is 1953 and Henry Saltzman, an Americanized Jew looking for his first job as a high school English teacher, unexpectedly finds himself confronting a roomful of intense, hyperactive ten-year-old boys in a Hasidic Brooklyn yeshiva. The assimilated Saltzman is profoundly challenged by their prejudices and fears about the world outside their close-knit religious community and vows to help them become not just good Jews, but good Americans. In the process, like any good teacher, he learns from them as well. Based on the author’s own experience, this charming novel takes us inside the alien world of Hasidic Judaism with humor, warmth, and deep affection.

What would happen if a feminist Jewish wit and scholar invaded David Lodge’s territory? Marleen S. Barr, herself a pioneer in the feminist criticism of science fiction, provides a giddily entertaining answer in this feisty novel. Oy Pioneer! follows professor Sondra Lear as she makes her inimitable way through a world of learning—at times fantastic, at times all too familiar, often hilarious, and always compulsively interesting. As if Mel Brooks and Erica Jong had joined forces to recreate Sex and the City for the intellectual set, the story is a heady mix of Jewish humor, feminist insight, and academic satire. Lear is a tenured radical and a wildly ambitious intellectual, but is subject nonetheless to the husband-hunting imperatives of her Jewish mother. Her adventures expand narrative parameters according to Barr’s term "genre fission." Mixing elements of science fiction, fantasy, ethnic comedy, satire, and authentic experience of academic life, Oy Pioneer! is uncommonly fun—a Jewish feminist scholar’s imaginative text boldly going where no academic satire has gone before—and bringing readers along for an exhilarating ride.

Always remember the two rules of life: RULE #1: Never forget how to laugh RULE #2: Never forget Rule #1 From romance to rabbis, from housework to hearing, with Oy Vey: More! The Ultimate Book of Jewish Jokes Part Two, David Minkoff takes us on a hilarious, sideways look at Jewish life and culture. Picking up where off the first volume left off, this laugh packed sequel includes over 800 meandering stories, riddles, one-liners, and even a glossary of Yiddish terms for the uninitiated, so goys, no problem, you don't have to be Jewish to enjoy. With chapters on birth, death, matters of faith, people and professions, medicine, romance, families and more, all aspects of everyday life are covered. From marriage brokers (shadchen) to bar mitzvahs, from schmucks to gossips (yentas), Oy Vey: More! features a recognizable character on every page, including a special child-friendly section and a humor test for couples. Contemporary and traditional by turns, from young people, to couples and grandparents, this compendium of Hebrew hilarity is great fun for the whole family to enjoy.

"To me, the Jews are funnier than any other group. Why? Because they have had more trouble. And trouble is often the heart of humor."-- Steve Allen (who is not Jewish) from A Little Joy, A Little Oy Not just a slice of Jewish wit and wisdom, this collection is the whole challah*. By including over 350 entries from 200 sources, Winston-Macauley has amassed a unique cross-section of Jewish quotes, anecdotes, proverbs, history, biographies, jokes, unusual facts, "Yinglish," and much more. A Little Joy, A Little Oy showcases this rich and remarkable assembly of all things Jewish through the universal language of laughter and, yes, a few tears. A must in every Jewish household, A Little Joy, A Little Oy also makes the perfect holiday gift. *A rich twisted bread

Front Cover -- Title Page -- Copyright -- Contents