UVA Jewish Studies was pleased to host Professor Grace Kessler Overbeke of Columbia College Chicago for the first Jewish Studies Colloquium of the academic year last semester.

While participants enjoyed a catered lunch, Prof. Overbeke presented on Jewish women in American comedy, including comedian Jean Carroll, the subject of her new book, First Lady of Laughs: The Forgotten Story of Jean Carroll, America’s First Jewish Woman Stand-Up Comedian.

After the presentation, participants asked Prof. Overbeke about her presentation and broader research, which sparked a lively discussion about a wide range of topics, including the possibility of laughter as a tool of resistance and of oppression and ways of teaching the history of comedy to increase student engagement.

Later that day, Prof. Overbeke followed up her colloquium presentation with a public lecture entitled "Jean Carroll: The Forgotten Pioneer of Jewish Women Stand-up Comics."

Excerpts from Professor Kessler Overbeke's Colloquium discussion can be found on the UVA Jewish Studies YouTube Channel.