Comedy Night at ESRA Five Towns

April 2024 ESRA News

Comedian and author, Benji Lovitt

Despite a cold and rainy winter's night, ESRA Five Towns branch welcomed a capacity crowd and raised more than NIS 7,000 for the ESRA war effort appeal at its comedy night. It was held at the Hobbit Bar in Zichron Yaakov in early February.

Comedian and author Benji Lovitt headlined "Is it OK to Laugh" while reflecting on life in Israel and abroad during these difficult times. He engaged with the audience for an hour, focusing on new immigrants, especially Annette and Steve Batkin of Zichron.

Guests could enjoy (kosher) food and drink prior to the show while listening to songs of the 1960s,70s and 80s selected by the DJ, sound and light expert Mordi.

Recently returned from his two-month book tour of the US, Benji undertook signings of his latest book Israel 201 co-authored with Joel Chasnoff, which celebrity Mayim Bialik has described as "fantastic".

Benji has performed for audiences around the world and been featured in outlets such as USA Today, Time Magazine, BBC Radio, The Atlantic, and Times of Israel. He has also worked as a cross-cultural trainer with groups including the Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

About the author

Lucille Cohen

Lucille Cohen was born and educated in Leeds, UK. Her undergraduate, postgraduate degrees and Honorary Research Fellowship are from the University of Manchester. She is a former President of the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region; former President of the Zionist Central Council of Greater Manchester; Member of the national Jewish Leadership Council; delegate, Board of Deputies of British Jews. Lucille was a visiting lecturer in the Department of Middle East Studies and taught from 1990-2001 in the University Center for Continuing Education specializing in the history and archaeology of Jerusalem and the cross-cultural influences of mediaeval Spain. She writes occasional newspaper columns and has worked as a journalist on The Jerusalem Post, the Jewish Chronicle and the Jewish Gazette. She was acting editor of The Holyland (a Jerusalem fortnightly publication) and has edited academic work for the Hebrew University. She came to live in Israel with her husband in March 2014.

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