Ted Merwin to Deliver March 31 Rogoff Lecture on How Clothes Helped Fashion American Jewish Humor At the turn of the 20th century in New York, Eastern European Jewish immigrants were overwhelmingly involved with two industries—the garment trade and the entertainment business. Not surprisingly, clothing became a major theme of American Jewish humor.

The intertwining of industries will be addressed by Ted Merwin, when he delivers the 2011 Rogoff Lecture at Yeshiva University on Thursday, March 31. The interactive, multimedia lecture, “Unbuttoned: Clothes and the Making of American Jewish Comedy,” will take place at YU’s Koch Auditorium, 245 Lexington Avenue, New York City. During the program, which begins at 7:00 p.m. and is open to the public free of charge, Prof. Merwin will trace the symbolic use of clothing in the work of such diverse entertainers as Fanny Brice, Eddie Cantor, Jerry Seinfeld and Larry David. Merwin teaches Religion and Judaic Studies at Dickinson College (Carlisle, PA) where he also directs the Milton B. Asbell Center for Jewish Life. For the last seven years, he has served as chief theater critic of the New York Jewish Week. His articles appear in newspapers throughout the country, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Moment Magazine, Hadassah, The Sondheim Review, MetroWest Jewish News, Baltimore Jewish Times, Atlanta Jewish Times and St. Louis Jewish Light. The lecture is named for Hillel (Harry) Rogoff, an alumnus of Yeshiva University and longtime editor of the Jewish Daily Forward. The series was established in 1971 through the efforts of the late YU English professor and administrator Dr. David Mirsky and members of the Rogoff family. For reservations, please contact Perel Skier at skier@yu.edu to submit your name and number of tickets desired.