Modi: Five Things I Wish Someone Told Me When I First Became A Professional Comedian

…When I do shows now, I see women with hijabs, brought by their friends, sometimes Jewish nurses bringing their Muslim friends. I always say, be the friend that brings friends to the comedy show. When I see them laughing together, it unites them. Laughter puts everyone on the same wavelength. To answer your question, I think every session of the Knesset in Israel should begin with standup comedy. Every time Congress or the Senate meets, they should have a comic open with a hot five minutes. Let everyone get on the wavelength of laughing, and then get to business. People will be more united, having laughed together. Unity is divine. Laughter brings us together, and that’s what I think: comedy will bring us peace…

I had the pleasure of talking with Modi Rosenfeld, an Israeli-born American stand-up comedian and actor. Born Mordechi Rosenfeld in Tel Aviv, he moved with his family to Woodmere, New York, at the age of seven. After completing his high school education at George W. Hewlett High School in 1988, Modi went on to Boston University, where he graduated in 1992 with a major in psychology and a minor in voice.

Modi’s early interest in music led him to study cantorial music at Yeshiva University’s Belz School of Music. Despite his career shift, he continues to sing as a hobby at his synagogue. Before his foray into comedy, Modi worked as an international banker for Merrill Lynch on Wall Street. His transition into comedy was sparked by a friend who encouraged him to perform at an open-mic night, a moment that revealed his true calling.

In the world of comedy, Modi has established himself as a prominent figure, performing regularly at renowned comedy clubs across the United States, including the Comedy Cellar, his home club. His ability to connect with diverse audiences has carved out a unique space for him within the Jewish community, where he performs for both Orthodox and non-Orthodox groups globally. Notably, he performed at the launch party for the late Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon in Houston.

Modi’s contributions extend beyond stand-up. He has served as a fashion critic for US Weekly’s fashion police and was a semi-finalist on the fourth season of Last Comic Standing. He hosts his own podcast, “And Here’s Modi,” where he provides an insider’s view of his life and career. Modi cites comedians like Don Rickles, Jackie Mason, George Carlin, and Louis CK as his inspirations and attributes his comedic timing to Alan King.

In 2018, Modi was honored by the City of New York with a proclamation declaring June 26 “Mordechai ‘Modi’ Rosenfeld Day” for his contributions to the arts.

Beyond his live performances and podcast, Modi has an extensive filmography. His television roles include appearances on “The Sopranos,” “CSI: NY,” and “Madam Secretary.” He has also been featured in various films such as “Connecting Dots,” “Waiting for Woody Allen,” and “One, Two, Many.” His voice work includes roles in the video game series “Grand Theft Auto.”

Modi’s comedic talent has been recognized by The Hollywood Reporter, which named him one of the top 10 comedians in New York City. He has been featured on major networks like HBO, CBS, NBC, ABC, and Comedy Central, and has received praise from publications such as The New York Times, Time Out NY, and The New York Post.

Modi’s recent projects include his debut comedy special, “Know Your Audience,” released in March 2023 through 800lb Gorilla Media. The special explores his Jewish background and offers humorous insights into various aspects of Jewish life. Following this release, he embarked on the “Know Your Audience” tour and is currently performing a series of summer shows before launching his “Pause for Laughter” tour.

Modi resides in Manhattan, where he is an active member of the Sixth Street Community Synagogue, a Modern Orthodox congregation. His work continues to bring laughter to diverse audiences, bridging gaps and fostering unity through humor.

Yitzi: Modi, it’s a delight to meet you. Before we dive in deep, our readers would love to learn about your personal origin story. Can you share the story of your childhood and how you grew up?

Modi: Oh, wow, that’s a lot. I was born in Israel and moved to America when I was seven. We lived in the Five Towns, before it became religious. I went to school there. I ended up graduating from Hewlett High School, then went to Boston University, came back to New York, and worked in investment banking. I used to imitate the secretaries, and my friend said, “Do it on stage.” That’s when the whole comedy thing began, and I’ve been doing comedy since then.

Yitzi: So we’d love to learn more about that. How did your comedy career take off? We’d love to hear how that developed.

Modi: At first, I was performing at regular comedy clubs in the city, doing these over-the-top characters. As my voice began to develop, it became very Jewish, and that’s what I leaned into. I was always clean in my acts, so I started doing Jewish events, synagogues, fundraisers, charities, and galas. It became a market for me, and that’s what I was doing alongside the comedy clubs.

Yitzi: It’s awesome. So you probably have some amazing stories from different parts of your career. Can you share with our readers one or two of your favorite stories from your professional life?

Modi: You know, it’s when you figure out what you’re doing comedy for. I see you wearing a yarmulke and a white shirt, so you probably know the Talmud a little bit. It says in the Talmud that comedians have a role to make people who are sad happy and to bring peace where there’s a rift.

One of my favorite events was at a synagogue in Pennsylvania, right after Trump’s first election. The synagogue was split in half, literally, with brothers who went to the synagogue on opposite sides — some were pro-Trump, some were against. The synagogue almost had to have two minyans, two different services. The first event that brought everyone back together was a comedy night with me. They all laughed together, and afterward, you saw everyone at the dessert table connecting. It was unbelievable.

A similar thing happened in Scarsdale, where the synagogue was divided over COVID. Half the people were still doing outdoor services in those ridiculous tents, where they were more crowded than the people inside. The older people were outside freezing, and the younger people were inside. Someone wanted to bring me in for Purim. For the holiday of Purim, they brought me in to do a comedy act. Everyone came into the main ballroom, and for the comedy, they all laughed together for the first time after COVID. That’s where I really began to feel what Mashiach energy is.

Those are two stories that stand out. Most comics talk about the time they did a show with Jerry Seinfeld or someone famous. For me, it was realizing I brought communities together. That’s a big part of being a comedian.

Yitzi: Those are two amazing stories. It’s been said that sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Do you have a story about a humorous mistake that you made when you first started in comedy and the lesson that you learned from it?

Modi: Yeah, to be honest with you, I’ll tell you. When you think you can do it alone, when you think you don’t need anybody’s help and it will all work out, you’re wrong. You might be saving money, but it’s not worth it. After my husband took over my entire career, he brought in great people: a great agent, a great publicist, people for social media and bookings. He took over everything, and it went from just Modi to Team Modi. That’s one thing I learned — you cannot do it alone. It doesn’t work alone. You need help.

Yitzi: Do you have any words of advice for someone who wants to embark on this career path but is daunted by the prospect of failure? What would you say to them?

Modi: Well, if they believe they are funny and they’re doing it for the right reasons, they should definitely go for it. Early in my career, I was motivated a lot more by ego than I am now. But you have to try it. You can’t just sit in the living room and say, “I’m hysterical. I should be on stage.” Find a way to make it happen. Create an event where you’re doing comedy. There are open mic nights and all kinds of ways to do it. Give it a whirl. It might be for you.

I had no desire to be a comedian initially. My friends encouraged me to try it on stage. I was funny at the table because we all knew each other and shared experiences. That’s why many comedians joke about flying — because everyone has flown and can relate. The difference between being a table comic and a stage comic is significant, but you have to try it to know. Just give it a try.

Yitzi: That’s great. You have so much impressive work. I know from firsthand experience. What are you working on now? What do you think you’ll be working on in the near future? What should we be expecting?

Modi: Well, God willing, we just finished a tour and a special. We have a special out on Amazon and YouTube, so everyone has access to it. Anyone reading this, please make sure you share the special with anyone who can’t get it. If you have a grandfather, grandmother, mother, or father who isn’t tech-savvy, help them find it and watch it with them. You’ll have an amazing time. It’s a great special called “Know Your Audience.”

We finished that tour, and now we’re doing a few shows in the summer called the Summer Series. Then we go on tour with “Pause for Laughter.” You have to find time amidst everything happening — between what’s happening in Israel, all over the world, the media, and the elections — to get away from the constant scrolling through depressing news and just pause for laughter. That’s what we’re doing now, helping people get a good laugh in the middle of all the horrible news.

Yitzi: What do you do to get material for your jokes? What’s your creative process like?

Modi: To be honest with you, I just live my life. When something happens and it gets a laugh, I realize it could be a bit, so I write it down. We discuss it, and more punchlines usually come in. My husband’s very helpful — he’s hysterical and can really add to the material. Once in a while, if I don’t have a show at night, I’ll smoke a little bit of weed right before the gym. On the treadmill, the jokes come a little better. Just a couple of hits right before the gym, and then I see things a bit funnier. I write stuff down while I’m exercising. Sometimes I come home and think, “Wow, that wasn’t funny at all.” Other times, I think, “Wow, that’s a great line,” and incorporate it into the show. The premise becomes a bit, then you have a beginning, an ending, and taglines in the middle. You want to get as much fat out of all of that, and then it becomes a solid routine, like the Home Depot bit.

Yitzi: This is our signature question, the main part of the interview. You’ve been blessed with a lot of success now. Can you share five things you wish someone told you when you first became a professional comedian?

Modi:

1. Sure. First, you need help. You have to have the right management and representation; otherwise, you won’t get anywhere. Don’t try to do it all alone.
2. Second, don’t be afraid to put your stuff online. I used to worry that once it’s out there, you can’t use it again. Now I believe if I get a great joke, it’s a gift from God. I’m just the channel for that joke, so get it out there as much as you can.
3. Third, I wish I had realized how important social media is from the start. I wish I had been more involved in it right when it began.
4. Fourth, work with other comedians. It’s only recently that I’ve started collaborating with friends like Matteo Lane, and it’s fun. I used to be alone in this, but you can’t be alone. You need to work with others.
5. Lastly, I think it’s about being open and receptive to opportunities and experiences. Every experience, every bit of feedback, every show — good or bad — is a chance to learn and grow.

Yitzi: This is our final aspirational question. So, Modi, because of your great work and the platform that you’ve built, you’re a person of enormous influence. If you could spread an idea or inspire a movement that would bring the most good to the most people, what would that be?

Modi: Oh, that’s the best question. So, comedy for peace. I’m telling you, last night I was at the Comedy Cellar, which is the number one comedy club in the world, right here in Manhattan. On any given night, Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, or Ray Romano could come in. It’s not specifically a Jewish event, but when I get on stage, they know they’re looking at a Jew from New York. There was a woman in the audience with a head covering, not Jewish, but wearing a modern hijab.

The comic before me was a big, very sexual woman talking about crazy stuff, and then Matteo Lane, who’s a gay comedian, performed. This woman was having a great time. When I came on, I did my material with a Jewish flavor — talking about going to the doctor, but in a way that everyone understood. She was laughing harder than anyone else.

When I do shows now, I see women with hijabs, brought by their friends, sometimes Jewish nurses bringing their Muslim friends. I always say, be the friend that brings friends to the comedy show. When I see them laughing together, it unites them. Laughter puts everyone on the same wavelength.

To answer your question, I think every session of the Knesset in Israel should begin with standup comedy. Every time Congress or the Senate meets, they should have a comic open with a hot five minutes. Let everyone get on the wavelength of laughing, and then get to business. People will be more united, having laughed together. Unity is divine. Laughter brings us together, and that’s what I think: comedy will bring us peace.

Yitzi: Okay. So how can our readers continue to follow your work online? How can they watch your latest tours? How can they support you in any way possible?

Modi: The most important thing is to share “Know Your Audience.” It’s on YouTube and available for everyone. I love receiving emails like, “My father was in hospice. The last thing he saw was your video, and he was laughing so hard. A few days later, he passed away,” or “My son had no connection to Judaism, watched your special with his non-Jewish friends in the fraternity, and they were all laughing. Thank you so much.” I live for those DMs.

So, share “Know Your Audience,” and visit modilive.com for shows all over the world — from Australia to Zurich, London to Israel, Nashville to Denver. There’s likely a show near you. Come see a live show! Also, follow me on Instagram at modi_live, where we always post stuff to make you laugh. Everything is available on modilive.com. That’s it!

Yitzi: I’m so happy to have had this moment with you. I’m grateful for all the joy you’ve brought us, and I look forward to watching your star continue to shine.

Modi: Thank you so much.