The Genocide Libel and Comedian Modi Rosenfeld
Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Jonah Platt
4.9 • 1.3K Ratings
🗓️ 17 February 2026
⏱️ 71 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In this delightful and hilarious episode of Being Jewish with Jonah Platt, comedian Modi Rosenfeld opens up about faith, fame, identity, and building unity through Jewish comedy. Recently named one of The Hollywood Reporter’s Top 10 New York Comedians, Modi discusses what it means to be a proudly Jewish comedian in today’s cultural climate, and why laughter is his path to creating what he calls “Messianic energy.”
From performing at the Comedy Cellar, the Republican Jewish Coalition, and soon Radio City Music Hall, to navigating conversations with fellow comics like Dave Chappelle and Ben Shapiro, Modi shares candid insights on comedy, politics, and Jewish pride.
He reflects on growing up Israeli in America, coming out as gay later in life, marrying his husband Leo, and supporting LGBTQ inclusion within the Orthodox community through organizations like Eshel. Modi also reveals how COVID, Zoom shows, and social media transformed his career into a global brand with audiences in Israel, Europe, and beyond.
With humor and heart, this episode explores Judaism, comedy, Israel, identity, and the power of laughter to bring people together in divided times.
Topics discussed include:
- Modi Rosenfeld on being a “Jewish comedian” vs. a comedian who happens to be Jewish
- Roasting Ben Shapiro at a Commentary Magazine event
- Following Donald Trump at the Republican Jewish Coalition
- Touring internationally in Israel, Paris, Berlin, and London
- Processing October 7th and performing in Europe amid rising antisemitism
- Growing up Israeli-American on Long Island
- Marriage, faith, and partnership with husband Leo
- Supporting LGBTQ Orthodox Jews through Eshel
- Preparing for his upcoming Radio City Music Hall debut
- Building a global audience via Instagram and post-COVID Zoom comedy
- The meaning behind his tour title: Pause for Laughter
Mentioned In The Episode:
Anti-Jew Libels DECONSTRUCTED - Jonah Platt Debunks 4 Lies About Israel & The Jewish People (Part 1)
The reasons why what is happening in Gaza is not genocide
Amnesty International is among the NGOs bashing Israel
Grand Mufti of Jerusalem and his aid to the Nazis
B’tselem’s “broader analytical framework”
The U.N. Official Who Said Hamas is not a Terrorist Organization
The U.N. Condemned Israel 17 Times, more than the rest of the world combined
Israel distributes over 1 million polio vaccines in Gaza
Palestinian death toll passes 70,000
Defining genocide in a post WW2 world
Isreal’s critics rewrite the definition of genocide
Hineni Society Event with World-Renowned Comedian Modi
Who are the classic Catskill Comedians
Old Jewish Catskill Comedian's Classic Jokes
Release of latest Epstein files unleashes online wave of antisemitic conspiracies
Modi | Know Your Audience (Full Comedy Special)
Q&A | Comedian Modi Is Running on ‘Moshiach Energy’
Jewish comedian Modi Rosenfeld, a mainstay for Orthodox audiences, is gay. So what?
Dave Chappelle Mocks “I Stand With Israel”
Dave Chappelle and the Space Jews
Orthodox Judaism and LGBTQ Issues
Ritual Hand Washing Before Meals
Ta’anit 22a-b: A Place in the World to Come
France reports dozens of antisemitic acts since Hamas attack
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Written and Hosted by Jonah Platt, Executive Producers: Steve Hein, Jonah Platt, Chief Business Officer: Kenyon Laing, Chief Marketing Officer: Katya Nayman, Production Manager/Executive Assistant: Josie Rothschild, Research Associate: Samantha Greenwald, Production Associates: Rachel Stern, Charlie Zuker, Production Interns: Sasha Nelson, Emma Webb, YouTube Consultants: Jason Al-Samarrie & Zac Stein, Post Production by TIMEWEAVER, Creative Director: F. Brian Scofield, ACE, Lead Editor: Noam Klement, Editor: Gray Clevenger, Joe King. Graphic Designer: Noah Bell, Theme Music by Gabriel Mann, Performed by Jonah Platt
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Shalom, Kavarim, Banot, and welcome to another very special episode of the world's number one Jewish podcast. |
| 0:08.1 | I have to ask for a small favor. |
| 0:10.4 | As an independent show, we don't have a massive marketing machine behind us. |
| 0:14.6 | Our growth is purely organic, fueled by dedicated viewers and listeners like you. |
| 0:19.5 | So if you would be so kind, please take 30 seconds, |
| 0:24.0 | head over to Apple Podcasts and Spotify, find this show, and leave me a five-star rating and a short |
| 0:30.0 | written review. I love seeing all of your thoughtful and generous feedback. Some of it has even |
| 0:35.0 | made it onto the show and may again. And as of this recording, |
| 0:38.7 | we are just eight ratings away from hitting 500 on Apple. Crossing that threshold would be a huge |
| 0:44.3 | milestone for us. It's a small mitzv on your part, but it really is the fuel that allows us to |
| 0:50.0 | keep these amazing conversations going. So thank you in advance. |
| 0:54.8 | Unless you don't leave a rating, |
| 0:56.1 | in which case, you're a butt head. |
| 0:58.2 | Everything they told you about Israel is a lie. |
| 1:02.1 | No, seriously. |
| 1:05.3 | Welcome to part two of me deconstructing |
| 1:07.7 | anti-Zionis libels. |
| 1:09.1 | If you missed part one, you'll find the link |
| 1:10.7 | in the episode description. |
| 1:11.8 | I suggest you check that one out first, then come on back. |
| 1:14.2 | But what do I know? |
| 1:15.0 | I just work here. |
... |
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