Ep 219: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest, Modi on hmTv

Ep 219: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Modi on hmTv:

In this powerful and heartfelt episode of Ordinary Heroes on hmTv, host Bernie Furshpan sits down with internationally acclaimed comedian Modi (Rosenfeld) to explore the healing power of humor in the face of adversity.

Modi shares his journey from investment banking to the comedy stage, reflecting on how the rise of antisemitism and the events of October 7th have reshaped both his material and his mission. From closing shows with Hatikvah to weaving Holocaust memory into his act, Modi reveals how laughter can unite communities, offer respite from pain, and even educate audiences without them realizing it.

Together, Bernie and Modi discuss resilience, Jewish identity, and what Modi calls “Mashiach energy”—the collective joy and relief of laughing together in difficult times. Listeners will gain insight into the responsibility and calling behind comedy, the evolution of Jewish humor, and the universal hope for light in dark times.

Tune in for an extraordinary conversation that proves comedy is more than entertainment—it’s a form of courage, connection, and hope.

Transcript

Ep 219: Ordinary Heroes with Bernie Furshpan and guest Modi on hmTv, rewritten smoothly without timestamps and keeping the conversational flow natural:

Bernie Furshpan:
Welcome to Ordinary Heroes. I'm your host, Bernie Furshpan, here on hmTv at the Holocaust Memorial and Tolerance Center on Long Island.

I’m very excited to have an incredible guest with me. I’ve been a big fan of his for a long time. We even crossed paths in the same industry for a while—at least I was there briefly. Please join me in welcoming the brilliant comedian, Modi. Shalom, Modi, thank you so much for being here today.

Modi:
Pleasure to be here with you, Bernie. Thank you.

Bernie:
When did you realize you had this comedy talent? When did you start performing?

Modi:
I started while I was working in investment banking around 1993. I’d come home and imitate the secretaries, and my friends kept saying, “You should do that on stage.” Eventually, I did—and here we are, 31 years later.

Bernie:
Wow. You’ve been doing it that long and you still look like you’re 31.

Modi:
Thank you very much. (laughs) It’s expensive to keep looking this young—it takes a lot of working out and discipline these days.

Bernie:
Well, you look terrific. And I love your material. I love watching you on TV, on YouTube. But things have changed in comedy over the last few years. Especially for Jewish and Israeli comedians, the tone shifted after October 7th. Before then, your material often leaned into Jewish quirks and cultural humor. How has the rise in antisemitism shifted your tone on stage?

Modi:
On October 7th, I was in Israel. I had just finished a tour for Sukkot with shows all over the country. We were scheduled to fly to Paris for more shows that morning when the war broke out. We had to make a choice: do we cancel or do we go on? We decided to go on.

That night in Paris, I did an hour and 20 minutes of comedy as if nothing happened. And then, at the end, I sang Hatikvah, the Israeli national anthem—“Hope.” Since then, I still close my shows that way. It became part of my act.

Later, I started incorporating the war into my sets—not in a victim way, but in ways that show Jewish resilience: Israeli women stepping up, the community coming together. But I keep it to the end, because my goal is to give audiences a reprieve from the heaviness.

Bernie:
I just got back from Israel myself, and it’s remarkable—you see people dancing on Saturday night, going out, living life. You’d never know a war is going on. The resilience is incredible.

Modi:
Yes, on the outside, life looks normal—people are at restaurants, shows, concerts—but on the inside, it comes in waves. You suddenly remember: there are hostages. Friends’ kids are at the front lines. It’s always there beneath the surface. That’s why I focus on giving people a rest. On Instagram, I don’t post the harsh news—I give them 39 seconds to laugh. Comedy is like chocolate: even too much sweetness can overwhelm you. People need a break.

Bernie:
So, in a sense, you’re fighting sadness with humor.

Modi:
Exactly. I’m not fighting antisemitism directly. I’m lifting the Jewish community out of sadness and bringing joy. And my audience isn’t just Jewish anymore. I’ll look out and see a woman in a hijab laughing with everyone else. That’s when I know comedy is doing its real job—building bridges.

Bernie:
Do you ever feel like you’re secretly an educator, sneaking in history lessons with your jokes?

Modi:
Absolutely. I weave the Holocaust into my act in subtle ways. I’ll make a joke about Josef Mengele, and the older audience bursts out laughing because they know who I mean. Meanwhile, the younger ones look puzzled—and I tell them, “Google him tonight.” Survivors told me it’s our responsibility to keep mentioning it, to bring it into conversation.

Even with a joke about Holocaust museums, the word itself gets planted, and people might Google it. That’s my way of teaching—through humor.

Bernie:
That’s powerful. Do you notice audiences being more tense these days?

Modi:
No—they need laughter now more than ever. After COVID, I started calling it “Mashiach energy”—the joy of laughing together, the relief of community. And after October 7th, it’s even stronger. People need this communal release.

Bernie:
Do you feel a responsibility to talk more about Jewish culture and antisemitism now?

Modi:
I wouldn’t call it responsibility—it’s more of a calling. But what people see on stage is just the final step of a huge effort: my husband Leo, my management, my social media team, marketing, ticket sales—all of that comes before I even step on stage. My job is to deliver, to make people laugh, and to bring them joy.

Bernie:
What advice do you have for young comedians?

Modi:
Now is the best time ever to become a comedian. You have Instagram, YouTube, TikTok—you don’t even need an agent at first. Put your material out there. If it’s good, people will follow and buy tickets. If it’s not, they won’t. Back in my day, you needed mailing lists, flyers, stamps. Today, the platform is right in your pocket.

Bernie:
Exactly. These days you can start as your own producer and agent until you build a team.

Modi:
Yes. Many singers, comedians, even I—our careers have been built on these platforms. I once told the head of Instagram, “Thank you. I sell tickets because of you.” That’s Mashiach energy—reaching people instantly.

Bernie:
Where do you see the future going—for yourself and for comedy?

Modi:
I see Mashiach energy in full swing—joy, laughter, light 24/7. That’s what we pray for. My comedy, your podcast reminding people of the Holocaust—it’s all part of creating that energy.

Bernie:
Beautifully said. You really are a positive force, Modi. I know your spirit and your work uplift so many people. Any final words for our audience?

Modi:
Yes—whatever you see online is great, but nothing beats a live show. Go to modilive.com, find tickets. We have shows everywhere—San Francisco, Atlanta, Paris, Amsterdam, Vienna. A new special is coming soon, and with God’s help, on April 23rd, 2026, I’ll be at Radio City Music Hall. Mark your calendars!

Bernie:
I’ll be there—and I hope our audience will too. Modi, thank you for the light and laughter you bring. You are not just an ordinary hero, you’re extraordinary.

Modi:
Thank you, Bernie. Very sweet words.

Bernie:
And to our listeners—Happy New Year. May it be a year of health, joy, and resilience. Until next time, I’m Bernie Furshpan.