The Schmooze: September 2024

In the weeks following October 7, comedian Elon Gold couldn’t bring himself to perform. He canceled most of his gigs and lacked a desire to make audiences laugh.

Eventually, Gold returned to the stage for a Jewish Federation event in Los Angeles. After that night, he recalled “a veil was lifted” and realized his comedy offered a bit of much-needed relief from the heartbreak and fear surrounding the war.

The Bronx native is no stranger to the stage. Over the course of his career, Gold has appeared on the Tonight Show ten times and guest starred on Chappelle’s Show , Chelsea Lately , Curb Your Enthusiasm , and Frasier . His Netflix special, Elon Gold: Chosen & Taken received acclaim from a variety of audiences.

Judaism plays a central role to his work. In fact, much of his comedy draws upon his own experience as the child of a rabbi and as an observant Jew.

Currently, Gold is back on tour, bringing joy and humor to audiences nationwide. He will perform at North Shore Center in Skokie on Nov. 17. To learn more or to get tickets, visit elongold.com.

What was the last book you read?

Rabbi Manis Friedman and Dr. Elad Ben Elul’s To Win a War (The Jewish Way): A Guide for Post-War Sanity . A must read!

What’s your all-time favorite movie?

It’s a tie between The Godfather and The King of Comedy .

What’s your favorite Jewish food?

My mother’s sweet chicken; it’s cold jellied sugary pieces of chicken. Sounds terrible, but tastes delish!

What are you listening to these days?

I hate podcasts. I think they’re a waste of time, except for those rare ones that can inspire and teach you. However, I always make time for music and right now I’m all about Israeli singer Omer Adam.

Who was the last person you texted on your phone?

My “FAM” chat.

If you could invite three people, famous or not, to a Shabbat dinner, who would they be?

Larry David, Albert Brooks, and Bari Weiss. I’ve already had them all at a Shabbat dinner at our house and it was a dream come true.

If you could have any other occupation, what would it be?

A Kosher butcher like my Zayde was. I love raw meat.

Who are two of your biggest role models?

My mother and father. They’re a model of the perfect marriage and how to live the most fulfilling, most meaningful, happiest, and longest life.

What are you currently binging on TV?

Curb Your Enthusiasm . Can’t believe I was on it. Can’t believe it’s over.

If you could offer the teen version of yourself one piece of wisdom, what would it be?

Whatever you want in life is going to take time and, more importantly, effort. “Good things come to those who wait” is the expression I often hear. But I think it should be, “Good things come to those who work.” Everything–from turning my best friend into my girlfriend and now wife to becoming a seasoned comedian–has taken way more time than I expected, as well as focus, energy, and painstakingly arduous work.