Who says bankers can't be funny? Modi Rosenfeld, the Tel Aviv-born, Long Island-raised comedian, certainly proved otherwise when he traded his Merrill Lynch desk for the Comedy Cellar stage. But that's just one of the many surprising turns in the life of this modern-day Renaissance man.
Modi studied at the prestigious Belz School of Music and still sings Chaaznut as a hobby.
By night, he's cracking up audiences with his signature blend of sharp wit and cultural commentary, earning him the nickname "The New Jackie Mason" (though he counts Don Rickles and George Carlin among his influences too).
"Comedy is a lot like banking," Modi once quipped. "In both cases, you're trying to get people to buy what you're selling – the only difference is that laughter has a better return on investment."
His unique position as a Modern Orthodox comedian who can play both religious and secular crowds has made him a singular figure in American comedy. From headlining major clubs to performing at astronaut Ilan Ramon's NASA launch party, Modi has carved out a niche that's entirely his own.
In 2018, New York City even gave him his own day – June 26th is officially "Mordechi 'Modi' Rosenfeld Day." Not bad for a kid who arrived from Tel Aviv at age seven barely speaking English.
These days, when he's not co-running the Chosen Comedy Festival with fellow Jewish comics Elon Gold and Dani Zoldan, you might catch him critiquing fashion for US Weekly or hosting his podcast "And Here's Modi."
"My mother wanted me to be a banker, my father wanted me to be a cantor, and I wanted to make people laugh," Modi often says. "Somehow, I managed to do all three – just not all at the same time."
Modi was recently photographed with a leading Hasidic Rabbi, the Grand Rebbe of the Tash Hasidim, Rabbi Eimelech Lowy, and the picture has since gone viral on social media.
