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Bringing Laughter for a Cause: Modi Rosenfeld Headlines Live Laugh Give 2024
April 2024
By Julie Loftis, JFS Marketing Specialist
In today's world, where challenges abound, humor often emerges as a powerful remedy. Jewish Family Services (JFS) presents an annual fundraising event, Live Laugh Give comedy night, aimed at spreading joy while supporting a noble cause.
Scheduled for June 9, this event celebrates the contributions of honorees Jerry and Barbara Levin, showcases JFS programs, includes a live auction, and features a comedy performance by Modi Rosenfeld, a well-known comedian.
Modi, known for his sharp wit and engaging humor, will entertain the audience with his blend of observational comedy and storytelling. Voted one of the top 10 comedians in New York City by The Hollywood Reporter, Modi is one of the comedy circuit’s most sought after performers.
Featured on HBO, CBS, NBC, ABC, Comedy Central, Howard Stern, and E! Entertainment, Modi has received rave reviews in The New York Times, Time Out NY and The New York Post.
Born in Tel Aviv, Israel, Modi immigrated with his family to the United States at the age of seven and was raised on Long Island. After graduating from Boston University, he worked as an investment banker until his first open-mic night made him realize that stand-up was his true calling.
Equipped with a sharp wit and a knack for reading an audience, Modi has gone on to become a successful fixture in New York’s vibrant comedy scene, often doing bits that incorporate his heritage, and he is a hit with diverse Jewish audiences as well as fans of all backgrounds and beliefs. With a career spanning over two decades, Modi has established himself as a prominent figure in the comedy scene, performing at various prestigious venues worldwide.
Modi has played himself on HBO’s “Crashing” and Netflix’s “When Jews Were Funny.” He’s also appeared in several feature films and played leading roles in two: “Waiting for Woody Allen,” which won the LA Film Festival, and “Stand Up,” a feature-length film. In 2018, Mayor Bill De Blasio declared June 26 Mordechi Modi Rosenfeld Day in the city of New York for his accomplishments and contributions to the artistic community.
Beyond providing entertainment, Modi sees comedy as a means to effect positive change. His participation in events like Live Laugh Give underscores his belief in the power of laughter to make a difference.
Each year a highlight of the event has been the live auction, offering a range of experiences and memorabilia and this year is no different. Previous auction winners have expressed their enjoyment using the auction items they won. For instance, Leon and Jennifer Golynsky cherished their auction-winning trip to stay in an upscale mountain home, knowing that their bid supported vital community initiatives. Similarly, Kevin Levine and Louis Sinkoe valued their experience and autographed memorabilia from a Charlotte FC game, not just for its significance but also for the contribution it made to the JFS Food Pantry.
Modi's concept of "mashiach energy" reflects a belief in the importance of kindness, empathy, and love in driving positive actions. Regardless of religious connotations, embracing mashiach energy entails engaging in good deeds and fostering a positive impact on those around us. Modi emphasizes the significance of kindness in creating a better world, echoing the sentiment that laughter and goodwill can truly make a difference in people's lives.
