Benji Lovitt
| Benji Lovitt | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Benjamin Nathan Lovitt |
| Born | September 27, 1974 Dallas, Texas |
| Education | University of Texas |
| Genres | Israeli comedy, Jewish comedy, observational comedy |
| Subject(s) | Israel, Jewish culture, Middle East, current events |
| Website | www |
Benji Lovitt, (Hebrew: בנג'י לוויט) is an Israeli-American comedian, educator and writer.
Biography
[edit]Benjamin (Benji) Lovitt was born in Dallas, Texas,[1] attended J.J. Pearce High School,[2] and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from The University of Texas at Austin.[3]
Lovitt visited Israel for the first time when he was 15 years old as part of a Young Judaea trip, and he returned a few years later to spend a gap year before college as a participant on Young Judaea's Year Course program.[1]
In 2023, Benji marked Israel's 75th anniversary by co-authoring the book “Israel 201, Your Next-Level Guide to the Magic, Mystery and Chaos! of Life in the Holy Land" with Joel Chasanoff. The book examines the daily life of Israelis and tries to give its readers insight into some unique aspects of Israeli culture.
Stand-up career
[edit]During Operation Protective Edge in the summer of 2014, Lovitt performed together with other comedians for Israeli civilians confined to bomb shelters or otherwise impacted by rockets launched by terrorists and for Israeli soldiers. While many of the shows were free, the proceeds from those with an admission charge were donated to the Friends of the IDF's Lone Soldier Program .[4][5]
Lovitt also produced videos on Jewish holidays, aliyah and other topics.[6]
Journalism career
[edit]Lovitt is a regular blogger for the Times of Israel and previously provided guest columns for The Jerusalem Post. Articles by Lovitt can also be found at eJewish Philanthropy, the Jewish Daily Forward, Ynet, Israel21c, PresenTense Magazine,[7] Jewish Boston and other online publications.[8]
Lovitt's annual column "Things I love about Israel" Yom Ha'atzmaut highlight the unique aspects of Israeli society from the perspective of an oleh.[9]
Lovitt's January 2014 article in eJewish Philanthropy about bringing short-term Israel program participants to Tel Aviv[10] is credited as inspiring Birthright Israel to launch the Tel Aviv Urban Experience in 2015.[11][12][13]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Levitt, Meredith Price (25 September 2008). "CafeTalk: Arrivals: Benji Lovitt". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Classmates.com". Classmates.com. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Degrees and Dates of Attendance". Degrees and Dates of Attendance. Office of the Registrar of UT-Austin. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ Oster, Marcy. "Amid Gaza-Israel conflict, some tales to warm the heart". Times of Israel. Times of Israel. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ Dreyfus, Hannah. "Comic Shelter From The Storm". The Jewish Week. The Jewish Week. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Benji Lovitt Videos". BenjiLovitt.com. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ Lovitt, Benji. "Would You Like Some Chumus with that Poke? Facebook Invades the Holy Land". Presentense Magazine. Presentense Group. Archived from the original on 29 September 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ "Writing". BenjiLovitt.com. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ Freedman, Allie (29 October 2014). "Why We Love Israel". Jewish Times. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ Lovitt, Benji. "Israel Programs: The Case for Tel Aviv". eJewishPhilanthropy.com. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ "Birthright Israel Launches Tel Aviv Urban Experience; hmmmmm". eJewishPhilanthropy.com. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ Ghert-Zand, Renee. "As it turns 15, Birthright Israel takes a closer look at Tel Aviv". Times of Israel. Times of Israel. Retrieved 19 August 2015.
- ^ Steinberg-Zand, Jessica. "Is Birthright in decline for neglecting 'cool' Tel Aviv-style Israel?". Times of Israel. Times of Israel. Retrieved 4 September 2015.
External links
[edit]- BenjiLovitt.com (Official Website)
- Lovitt Loves Israel ("Things I Love About Israel" Lists (from 2012 to 2016)
- 67 More Things I Love About Israel (2015 List)
- Benji Lovitt on Bulgarian TV Show "Panorama"
- Stand-Up Routine for Tribute to Israeli Scout Caravan
- Channel 2 Interview of Benji Lovitt regarding Nefesh b'Nefesh Conference
- Spotlight Interview by Jewcer