by David Fruchtman
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Pictured above, (L to R) David Fruchtman, Myq Kaplan, and Seth Katzen at the most recent Federation-sponsered evening of comedy at Arden Gild Hall; Provided by David Fruchtman
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Little did Seth Katzen know when we met in the summer of 2019 that he would play a pivotal role in launching a comedy series bringing nationally touring Jewish comedians to Delaware. What began as a simple idea has blossomed into a vibrant tradition which continues to bring joy and laughter to our community.
How do the Jewish Federation of Delaware and Arden Gild Hall keep attracting such incredible comedy talent to this little barn in the woods? I have a few thoughts.
As the former president of Congregation Beth Shalom’s Men’s Club for nearly a decade, I organized programs ranging from Sunday brunches with guest speakers to adventurous outings like ziplining, canoeing, knockerball, and the ever-popular Latkapalooza. But, in hindsight, booking comedian Rabbi Bob Alpert for a CBS fundraiser may have hinted at what was to come.
As my Men’s Club term was winding down, I met with Ron Ozer, who leads Arden Concert Gild, to express my interest in joining. Since 1997, Arden Concert Gild has presented concerts of virtually every musical genre at Gild Hall. I told Ron that my experience in programming, organizing, and marketing events—combined with my deep roots in music from my years at the legendary Jeremiah’s Record Exchange—could be valuable to the group. He agreed.
At one of my first Concert Gild meetings, I asked whether Arden had ever considered bringing comedians to Gild Hall. As a lifelong fan of stand-up—and someone who once performed it—I was eager to help make it happen. I learned the idea had been mentioned before, but never seriously pursued.
So, I pitched one of my favorites: Emo Philips, the cult comedy legend known for his falsetto voice and surreal delivery. The team was intrigued, but logistics—mainly his Los Angeles base and unpredictable touring schedule—proved too complicated.
Undeterred, I remembered seeing Judy Gold perform at the Siegel JCC a few years earlier. She was hilarious, unapologetically Jewish, and I knew she’d be perfect for Arden. I approached Seth about co-sponsoring the show with the Federation. The Federation had long been known for bringing the Jewish community together through engaging cultural events—but this would be a first: a comedy show partnership between the Federation and Arden Gild Hall.
Thanks to Seth’s enthusiasm and visionary programming, we moved forward. Some Arden Gild board members were cautious—it was new territory—but I assured them that co-sponsorship with the Federation would widen our reach and share the financial risk. After negotiating with Judy’s manager, we officially booked our first show.
On November 23, 2019, Judy Gold took the stage at Arden Gild Hall and brought the house down! The near-capacity crowd roared with laughter, and the overwhelmingly positive feedback confirmed we were onto something special.
Encouraged by that success, Seth and I teamed up again to book Noah Gardenswartz, a writer and performer on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Though based in Los Angeles, Noah had Delaware ties: his Maccabi Games basketball coach lived locally, and a visiting CBS rabbi had officiated his bar mitzvah in Colorado. It was another fantastic night, kicked off by a pre-show happy hour for Federation board members and friends.
Our next Federation-sponsored comedian, Ophira Eisenberg, came to Arden Gild Hall on December 9, 2023, just two months after the tragic events of October 7. Known for hosting NPR’s Ask Me Another, Ophira brought her trademark sharp wit and warmth to a packed house. At a time when our community was still reeling, her performance offered much-needed laughter and light—a welcome break from the heaviness of the news cycle.
Most recently, we welcomed Myq Kaplan, whose intelligent, rapid-fire, and linguistically playful comedy had the audience in stitches from start to finish. His wordplay and philosophical humor—both hilarious and thought-provoking—left the crowd buzzing long after the show ended.
Through these shows, one truth has become clear: laughter is indeed the best medicine. In times of both joy and difficulty, it connects us, heals us, and reminds us of our shared humanity.
So keep your eyes open for the next Federation-prescribed dose of laughter coming soon to Arden Gild Hall. You won’t want to miss who’s up next.
To learn more about what Arden Gild Hall has to offer and for more information about upcoming comedy shows, visit www.ardenconcerts.com.
