Award-Winning Comedy Writer Explores Jewish History in Funny New Book

There’s no question that this is a difficult time for the Jewish people. There are haters on the right and the left, hostile Middle Eastern nations are threatening Israel, and college campuses and social media are rife with antisemitism.

Comedy writer Rob Kutner suggests that perhaps it’s time to laugh.

“Right now, we are feeling trapped in the endless news cycle of ‘bad news for Jews,’” he said. “We have a layer of doomscrolling within doomscrolling. It's hard to break out, but laughter and humor – which operate through surprise – are sometimes the only ways to do so.”

The author just published his new hilarious book, “The Jews: 5,000 Years and Counting” (Post Hill Press/Wicked Son)

In the book, Rob, who has won Emmy, Grammy, and Peabody Awards for his work on shows like “The Daily Show” and “Conan” as well as the Oscars, tells over Jewish history with a funny spin. The book comes complete with these testimonies and diary entries along with a therapy session between the matriarchs and patriarchs, an awkward “I’m dumping you” text chain from Spain to the Jews in 1492, and standup from King Solomon. Some readers may find it irreverent; Kutner believes it’s a great way to spark discussion and engagement about Jewish history.

The Jewish History Buff

Rob has always been fascinated by Jewish history. He believes it’s crucial for people to learn or refresh their own knowledge of Jewish history.

“Our backstory is essential to understanding what Jews are and ought to be doing today, and what our future could be,” he said.

The author’s favorite part of Jewish history?

“I wouldn't want to be around then, but I’m pretty impressed with how Yochanan Ben Zakkai took the utter decimation of the Temple and Jerusalem and exile from the land -- and ‘pivoted’ us into a people of text study and local prayer and observance,” he said. “That is a 2,000-year-old pivot that still holds. He should really do a TED Talk or something.”

Using Different Formats to Tell Our History

“The Jews: 5,000 Years and Counting” doesn’t shy away from tough moments throughout Jewish history; unfortunately, there are plenty of them. Rob has his own approach to handling them in a humorous way.

“Taking a big picture view of Jewish history, as my book does by necessity (and contract), reinforces the view that ‘We've been through every terrible thing, but we always find a way through and stay Jewish,’” he said. “In particularly dark periods, I become playful with formats and blending in modern sensibilities – for example, turning the Spanish inquisition into an awkward breakup text chain. I try to get as close as I can to the truth, but maintaining a little distance helps cushion the blow.”

When it comes to the Exodus, Rob uses diary entries he wrote as Moses to tell the story.

“Dear Diary, Sorry that I haven’t been able to write much,” the book says. “I’m kind of in ‘perma-travel’ mode now. After the last plague, the Egyptians sent us packing, and the Hebrews marched away as free people, unburdened by slavery, headed straight to the land promised to our ancestors. Except, there was this highly inconvenient body of water right in our way. And behind us, Pharaoh had reneged on his deal and come chasing after us with his army, pleading, ‘Come back, baby—I swear I’ll change!’”

Laughing Through the Pain

Jews are known for being funny; in part, it’s a reflex they developed in response to trauma. No matter what is happening in the world, Rob thinks it’s critical to keep a good sense of humor.

“In so many periods, we've been politically and sometimes even physically powerless,” he said. “But questioning and not-accepting authority – which Jewish humor specializes in – have ensured that our spirits and minds remain free. Just as Natan Sharansky mentally survived Soviet imprisonment through imaginary chess, we keep our limber Talmudic minds three steps ahead.”