February 10, 2012 Rabbi Nathan Lopes Cardozo: The biblical case against small-mindedness involved diminishing His precious prophet Caroline B. Glick: The Peace Process is over. Finally Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage Rachel Koning Beals: Gen X Women Continue to Shrink Gender Investing Gap The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Durand: Who Says You Can't Make Restaurant Favorites at Home?: MANGO AND STICKY RICE February 9, 2012 Jeff Strickler: An argument a day keeps the divorce away, they say Clifford D. May: CAIR's Crusade against The Third Jihad Melissa Healy: Study finds jolt to the brain boosts memory Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation Emily Brandon: 10 Necessities for a Great Retirement Spot The Kosher Gourmet by Diane Rossen Worthington: Winter Squash and Red Swiss Chard Risotto is Colorful Cozy Cold Weather Fare (includes detailed dos and don'ts) February 8, 2012 Rivy Poupko Kletenik: Tree hostility: The auspicious history of the evolution of Tu B'Shevat Steven Emerson: Planting Trees is Racist?! Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups Anne Applebaum: Russia's Potemkin democracy Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs Emily Brandon: 10 Necessities for a Great Retirement Spot The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets) February 7, 2012 Kathleen Hennessey and Christi Parsons: Obama not worried that birth-control move will hurt his re-election chances with Catholics, other faithful Caroline B. Glick: Obama's rhetorical storm Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design David Francis: How to Avoid an IRS Audit The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen: These homemade energy bars (3 recipes) are far better workout fuel than commercial ones, packing power and taste February 6, 2012 Scott Peterson: Iran's top ayatollah: We're trumping the West Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland' Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good Philip Moeller: Where Smart Investors Put Their Money Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard? The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: Vegetable Frittata --- leftovers never tasted so scrumptious February 3, 2012 Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein: Living with ideals --- in reality Caroline B. Glick: Fool me twice Jonathan Tobin : Adelsonphobia Strikes in Nevada Caucus Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US Kimberly Palmer : 8 Ways to Get Ready for Retirement Now Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Durand: A quick cookie recipe: Hazelnut and Olive Oil Shortbread: Sweet, Nutty, and Savory February 2, 2012 Rabbi Yaakov Rosenblatt : Welcome Home, Governor Perry Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran Kelsey Sheehy : 5 Tips for Choosing an M.B.A. Concentration Rachel Koning Beals : Investors Increasingly Tap Social Media for Stock Tips Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day The Kosher Gourmet by Leela Cyd Ross : Savory vegetable pie is a taste of European bistro with minimal effort and maximal flavor February 1, 2012 Nara Schoenberg: What to do when you've been dissed Michelle Malkin: First, They Came for the Catholics Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran Lisa M. Krieger: Possible breakthrough in preventing Alzheimer's Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures Susan Johnston: 5 Apps for Organizing Your Expenses at Tax Time The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: The famed chef's Broccoli and White Bean Soup can easily be a lunch in itself, or a nice antipasto --- and is hard to mess up January 31, 2012 Paul Greenberg: Separation of Church and State works two ways Caroline B. Glick: Hamas and the Washington establishment Frank J. 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May: How terrorists lose their stigma Suzanne Bohan: Vanquishing social anxieties without drugs Lisa Fernandez and Sean Webby: In alternative lifestyle, domestic violence means men as victims and women being abusers Danielle Kurtzleben: The 10 Best Cities for Finding a Job The Kosher Gourmet by Diane Rossen Worthington: Three bean soup with gremolata January 18, 2012 Edward I. Koch: Why the Crocodile Tears, Hillary? David G. Savage: Supreme Court to Principals: You have been warned George Friedman of Stratfor: Iran, the U.S. and the Strait of Hormuz Crisis Jason Koebler: 'Holy Grail' of Flu Vaccines by Next Year Alex M. Parker: The Off-the-Radar Congressional Targets of 2012 The Kosher Gourmet by Susan Russo: Got soft apples? Make Apple-Maple Walnut Breakfast Quinoa January 17, 2012 Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court Sharon Palmer, R.D.: Believe it or not, your cuppa joe offers potential health perks David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors Confronting the Car Nerds on their home turf --- the Detroit Auto Show (VIDEO; 3 minutes) The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen: Eleventh-Hour Freezer Pasta, Made Interesting: Ravioli with romesco sauce; Tortellini salad with apples and walnuts January 13, 2012 Chief Rabbi Dr. Warren Goldstein: Expansion Of Spirit (PROFOUND yet UPLIFTING) Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time Rachel Koning Beals:Top Complaints About Daily Deal Sites --- how to avoid missteps Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body The Kosher Gourmet by Diane Rossen Worthington: Braised Oxtail Stew with Olives January 12, 2012 Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony Ken Dilanian and David S. 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The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Durand : Colorful Lentil Salad with Walnuts and Herbs January 10, 2012 Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations Paul Bedard: Study: Is Fox Too Balanced? Rachel Koning Beals: Is it Time to Move into Homebuilder Stocks? The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: Brothy Chinese Noodles Half the Sodium (and More Than Twice the Fiber!) January 9, 2012 Caroline B. 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Jewish World Review March 6, 2009 / 10 Adar 5769 When Funny Was Really Funny By Greg Crosby http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | Funny. Remember funny? I do. My earliest memory of funny was sitting on the couch with my mother and father and seeing them doubled over with laughter as they watched Sid Caesar on television in "Your Show of Shows." I wasn't laughing, being only about one or two years old at the time I didn't know how yet, but as the years went by and I continued to watch Sid Caesar I learned what funny was. Oh boy, did I learn. It wasn't jokes that made Sid Caesar funny. It wasn't pratfalls or goofy props or slapstick knock-about routines. And it wasn't funny faces, although he certainly could do them when the occasion warranted. No, Caesar was funny because he was real. He was honest. I believed him in every one of the sketches he was in. I believed him because HE believed who he was in those sketches. For me he was never a comic pretending to be a husband with insomnia - he WAS that husband with insomnia. He WAS a bullfighter. He WAS that crazy German professor. Sid Caesar became each character he was portraying. Believability is not only a crucial element of a great comedian; it is the sign of a truly great actor. Not many comics have it. Buster Keaton had it. Laurel and Hardy had it. W.C. Fields had it. Jack Benny had it. On TV, Jackie Gleason had believability, Lucile Ball had it in "I Love Lucy," Dick Van Dyke had it, and Sid Caesar has it in spades. Of course honesty and believability alone aren't enough to make you funny. You need a few other qualities - like impeccable comic timing, spot-on delivery, an ear for dialect and the skill to burlesque it, an ability to ad-lib, and that indescribable feeling down deep in the kishkes (guts) that tells you that something is not just funny, but really works! Put those qualities all together, they spell Sid Caesar - the man who showed me what funny was over fifty years ago. I should add that it certainly doesn't hurt to have co-stars such as Imogene Coca, Carl Reiner, and Howard Morris performing with you. And the fact that some of the best young comedy writers in the business were writing on the show was also a major plus. But frankly, all the Neil Simons, Mel Brookses, and Larry Gelbarts in the world won't make you funny if you don't have the goods. I doubt that even the esteemed writer's room of "Your Show of Shows" could have turned Marlon Brando into a first rate sketch comedian. As much as the writers helped make Caesar a star, it was working with Caesar that helped make the writers stars. Along with Jack Benny and Buster Keaton, Sid Caesar was one of my idols. I eventually got into comedy writing myself. I have spent most of my working life at the Walt Disney Studio, a good deal of it in writing gags, comic stories, and drawing animation story boards. I never expected that I would ever have an opportunity to meet one of my idols in person. Then out of the blue about a week ago, I got a message to call a guy. The guy happened to be character actor, Lee Delano. He was very nice on the phone and said how he had been reading my columns for awhile and enjoyed my work. Then he mentioned that he had been Sid Caesar's co-star for the past 30 years, basically replacing Carl Reiner's straight man role from the early 50's shows. Lee had toured with Sid all over the world, performing the great sketch comedy that had made Sid so famous. And then he asked, "How would you like to meet Sid Caesar in person?" I couldn't believe my ears. That would be like someone asking, "How would you like to have ten or twelve million dollars?" Lee said he would get with Sid, set it up and call me back. In the meantime Lee sent over a DVD of a couple of sketches he did with Sid awhile back - very funny stuff. As of this writing I haven't yet met with Sid Caesar, but it could very well take place in the next couple of days. I'm not sure what I could possibly say to Mr. Caesar that ten thousand other fans haven't already said to him. The man has won, I don't know, maybe seventy-two Emmys and has gotten at least a billion other awards and honors over the years. What does one say to a legend? What does one ask a comedy genius? Maybe I'll just thank him. Thank him for showing me all those many years ago what funny is all about. Every young comedy writer should take a month off and sit in a room in front of a DVD player and watch those classic Sid Caesar comedy sketches. That's how it's done, guys. No bodily function jokes, no four-letter words, no hard-edged ugly street slang, no put downs. Just pure funny. Believable. Honest. No one has ever been funnier than Sid Caesar. No one. Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here. JWR contributor Greg Crosby, former creative head for Walt Disney publications, has written thousands of comics, hundreds of children's books, dozens of essays, and a letter to his congressman. A freelance writer in Southern California, you may contact him by clicking here. Greg Crosby Archives © 2008, Greg Crosby

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