Jewish Comedian Alex Edelman Kicks Off a Campus Tour with Hillel International
Award-winning Jewish comedian Alex Edelman is bringing joy to Jewish college students across the country with his unique blend of comedy and storytelling. Known for his HBO comedy special “Just for Us” and his roles in movies like Netflix’s “Unfrosted,” Edelman’s ability to balance humor and commentary has made him a favorite of critics and audiences alike.
In partnership with Hillel International and with support from Schusterman Family Philanthropies, Edelman recently kicked off a multi-campus comedy tour, visiting colleges and universities with shows that deepen belonging and bring a lot of laughter to the crowd.
“Through the authentic (and funny!) ways Alex weaves his Jewish identity through his performances, he helps Jewish students feel more warmly connected to their Jewish identities and community,” said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International. “Jewish joy is a big part of what we foster at Hillel, and it’s awesome to have Alex as a key partner in sparking that Jewish joy and connection through his campus tour.”
More than 400 students attended the first show at Cornell University this past weekend.
“It was really empowering to see a comedian who I could see myself in, on top of the fact that it was a great show,” said Rachel, a third-year student at Cornell. “It was a truly meaningful experience to be sitting in a room with a bunch of people who I shared a common identity with, all laughing at shared experiences. It emphasized the sense of community I felt on campus.”
“It was so powerful for students to see their identity represented in a way that was fun and joyful,” said Olivia Anglin-Salcido, Springboard Fellow for Grinspoon Hillel at Cornell. “The opportunity to be together in community in a way that was connecting and unifying was really powerful for students.”
Edelman stayed after the show to meet those who attended, take photos, and sign autographs with every student who approached him. “It’s nice to be mocked to my face after the shows by the students,” he said. “I’ve had a blast performing for these students, meeting these students, and I feel so lucky to get to do this with them, for them, what have you.”
After his standout performance at Cornell, Edelman traveled to Illinois for his second stop on the campus tour: Northwestern University. More than 600 students and community members filled the Cahn Auditorium, where Edelman once again brought energy and Jewish storytelling into the room.
Fourth-year student Sophie Perel said, “[Having] Alex at Northwestern was super impactful because it brought many different parts of the Northwestern community together for a night of many laughs: many of which revolved around being/growing up Jewish! It heightened [my] sense of Jewish joy and belonging!”
“I spent an hour laughing in an auditorium of students and community members, many of whom I’d never met, who, like me, were searching for joy and connection through Jewish humor,” added Mia Finestone, a first-year student at Northwestern. “By being a member of Alex’s audience, I gained both a sense of belonging to my campus community, and to the people all over the world who have had the opportunity to enjoy an Alex Edelman performance.”
Edelman will be heading to Washington University in St. Louis later this month for the next stop on his tour before he travels to the West Coast for a performance at the University of Southern California.