The J. Press NYC Headquarters at the Yale Club may seem an unlikely setting for a book signing of Noah Rinsky’s witty self-explanatory tome, The Old Jewish Men’s Guide to Eating, Sleeping, and Futzing Around. The event was animated by a throng of all ages and sects, yours truly the oldest guy in the room accurately fulfilling the premise of the book’s title.
On hand for an extended group conversation was author Noah Rinsky, cartoon illustrator Dick Carrol together with MC Jason Diamond, @GQ and New York Magazine writer. He directed the event turning J. Press into a spirited literary colloquium engaging with the ins and outs of Jewish humor giving its all to those interested in current American mayhem.
Back to the book. Trust me, it’s a stomach rending screamer of hilarity. Here’s some of the subjects covered with unvarnished comic verities: New York City Art Museums Toilet Ratings, Gone Shvitzing, Gimme The Belly Lox, Lines Are For Suckers, Grumpy Intellectuals, Bringing Your Hot Gentile Wife To The Game.
Topics mentioned perhaps of special interest to Ivy Stylers, J. G. Melon described, “Always crowded. Bring quarters for the juke box. Great Key Lime Pie.”
Mr. Rinsky scorches the rag trade headlining: Working The Schmatta Biz, To make it big in fashion as a Jew, convince the world you’re a Protestant, Think Yiddish, Dress British, From Lifshitz To Lauren.
Cribbing the book’s inset, “Hilarious, irresistible, and crotchety in all the right places, written with chutzpah and irreverently illustrated, here is the ultimate guide to an enduring archetype: the Old Jewish Man.”
RICHARD PRESS
