Book review: An academic perspective of Jewish humor

For a people noted for their contributions to humor and comedy, “Wit Happens: Global Jewish Humor” (edited by Jennifer Caplan, Jarrod Tanny and Avinoam Patt; Wayne State University Press), is a serious look at a funny subject.

The editors — and contributors, each, of an essay in the book — examine how various strains, and mediums, of Jewish humor have developed in various venues. The essays are based on academic papers delivered during a conference, “No Respect: Jewish Humor Around the World,” at the University of North Carolina Wilmington, in 2020.

The cumulative conclusion of the essays: “Je...