With the aid of some high-wattage performers, Jewcy — the hip apparel line that has been slapping kitschy Jewish logos on T-shirts to great economic effect since 2002 — held its first ever Hanukkah benefit last weekend at a nightclub in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood.

Stars of stage and screen took turns exploring their Jewish identities — often with a heap of ironic detachment. “What does it mean to be Jewish?” comedian Eric Drysdale asked at the evening’s outset. “To me, it means blindly mouthing prayers in a language I can never use.” Rachel Dratch of “Saturday Night Live” mused on the holiday season — in verse. “‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ can make your heart melt/But how do they get that [lousy] chocolate in Hanukkah gelt?”

Surprisingly, the evening’s most earnest note was struck by Perry Farrell, former front man of the rock group Jane’s Addiction , who at one point led the audience of about 1,000 in an intimate rendition of the synagogue hymn “Avinu Malkeinu.”

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

He followed up with his hit “Jane Says,” and during an interlude he told the crowd: “Some people don’t want the Jewish people to live at all. I think this generation is going to say, ‘That’s tough.’ We’re going to push out and push out and show the world that the Jewish people are worth having on this planet. We’re very important people, and I want you all to know that in your hearts.”

The biggest surprise of the night, though, was the discovery that Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, the potty-mouth puppet that got its start on “Late Night With Conan O’Brien,” has Jewish roots. True to his name, Triumph had some choice words for just about everyone in attendance. He asked if anyone had been to an Orthodox synagogue service. After a smattering of applause, he said in his gruff voice: “It’s a beautiful thing seeing all the old men reading all the prayers in Hebrew, at lightning speed. There’s nothing that touches God more than having your love expressed for him when you sound like the guy in the Fed Ex commercial. God’s like, ‘Whoa, whoa, slow down. I know I know all and see all, but Jesus Christ, slow down!’”

Triumph even had some choice words for Natan, the charity for which the event was raising money.

“Supposedly this organization is for empowering young Jews,” he said. “Isn’t there another organization empowering young Jews? It’s called ‘Rich Parents.’”

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. Support our work by becoming a Forward Member and connect with our journalism and your community.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.

$90 $180

$360

Other amount