AllMovie

Alan Zweig investigates the history of Jewish culture in America in the 20th Century by showcasing how the humor of the Hebrew people has evolved and stayed the same over a long period of time in his documentary When Jews Were Funny. He interviews a number of prominent and up-and-coming Jewish comics in order to get their opinion on if Jewish culture has fundamentally changed since Zweig was a child. Among the interviewees are David Steinberg, Shecky Greene, Andy Kindler, and Bob Einstein. Also included are vintage television performances by such legends as Alan King and Jackie Mason. {#When Jews Were Funny screened at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.