Koby Mandell, murdered in a terror attack at the age of 13
Laughing and doing a mitvzah in one evening
Featuring US comedians, the semi-annual benefit for the Koby Mandell Foundation plays to a sellout crowd.
It was back in 2001 when tragedy struck Rabbi Seth and Sherri Mandell: their beloved son Koby was taken from them at the age of 13 in an unspeakable act of terrorism.
According to the foundation’s literature, Koby himself had said at the funeral of a victim of terror: "I feel sorry for the person who was killed, but I feel sorrier for the people left behind."
Since then, the Mandells have done much to transform their loss into endeavors that seek to heal others who have suffered similar devastation: They created the Koby Mandell Foundation, "to provide individuals and families with tools to translate the pain and suffering... into positive personal growth, deeper interpersonal relationships, and active community leadership."
Comedic Review
Buzzy Gordon
An American duo comprised of an Arab and a Jew team up to bring laughs for peace in the Middle East.
His parents adopted this sentiment as the driving force behind the foundation’s mission, to help rehabilitate the lives of family members of innocents killed in terrorist attacks through programs that "combine affirmative life experiences with emotional and psychological support in formal group discussions and informal interactions."
Avi Liberman opening Comedy for Koby act in Jerusalem (Archive photo: Yissachar Ruas)
Accordingly, the foundation’s main projects are Camp Koby, where children and teens who have lost a loved one to terror enjoy summer camp activities alongside therapeutic programming; and support groups for bereaved mothers and widows: retreats and weekly sessions wherein bereaved women can share their pain and their hopes, on the path to spiritual and emotional recovery.
A tradition that is now in its eighth year is Comedy for Koby, a twice yearly stand-up show featuring comedians from the United States. The organizing comedian is sabra Avi Liberman, who serves also as the MC of the evenings. This year, during the week of November 28 through December 6, he brought two comedians who had never been to Israel before, and one who had previously participated in Comedy for Koby.
I attended the show in Ra'anana, which had been preceded by shows in Be’er Sheva (for the first time) and Modiin, and was followed by performances in Jerusalem, Gush Etzion and Tel Aviv. With 15 minutes to go before show time, it was already balcony seats only in the Yad Labanim auditorium; by the time the curtain went up, it was standing room only.
The line-up this winter consisted of Kermet Apio, a Hawaiian comedian who was a previous winner of the Great American Comedy Festival Competition; Erin Jackson, a black comedienne who had been a semi-finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing; and Bob Zany, originator of the Zany Report and the returning comedian of the trio.
All three have performed on nationally televised shows in the US, and their professionalism was clearly on display. They won the audience over with their self-deprecating humor and amusing observations on Israel. They, and Liberman especially, also engaged directly with the audience in good natured banter. Bottom line: They were funny, entertaining, and gave the audience a roaring good time.
The popularity and quality of Comedy for Koby is reflected in its track record of 16 shows over the years, plus the fact that it sold out its shows not only in Ra'anana but also well in advance in Tel Aviv, has expanded to Be’er Sheva and had to add a second show in Jerusalem.
Because of the generosity of sponsors, all proceeds from the shows go to benefit the Koby Mandell Foundation. The next time you hear Comedy for Koby is coming to town, do yourself a favor and buy tickets: You will spend the evening laughing - and smile all the way home from the feeling of having done a mitzvah.
