Modi Rosenfeld (Hebrew:מודי רוזנפלד; born April 29, 1970, asMordechi Rosenfeld), known professionally asModi^[1] (stylized asMODI) is an Israeli-Americanstand-up comedian andactor.^[2] He is known for hisJewish humor and has become a mainstay amongOrthodox audiences.^[3]

Rosenfeld was born inTel Aviv and moved toWoodmere, New York, with his family when he was seven years old.^[1][4]His parents only spokeHebrew at home and the family spent their summers in Israel.^[5] He graduated fromGeorge W. Hewlett High School in 1988 andBoston University in 1992,majoring inpsychology and minoring invoice.^[4]

Rosenfeld studied cantorial music atYeshiva University'sBelz School of Music and continues to sing as a hobby at the synagogue where he prays.^[1][6] He was aWall Street internationalbanker forMerrill Lynch before entering comedy.^[1][7]

Modi is an established headliner at comedy clubs across the United States and is a regular fixture on the comedy scene in both New York and Los Angeles.^[8] His home club is theComedy Cellar. Modi's background and ability to adapt to a variety of audiences has allowed him to create a niche within the Jewish community, performing forOrthodox,Reform and other non-Orthodox audiences around the world.^[9][5] He performed at the launch party of the lateIsraeliastronautIlan Ramon inHouston before takeoff.^[1]

Rosenfeld is known for having a particularly large following among Orthodox audiences, performing atyeshivas,National Council of Young Israel affiliates,Hatzalah,Chabad telethons andEshel.^[10][11] He has also performed for special Shabbat dinners for theCouncil of Fashion Designers of America.^[12]

Rosenfeld has contributed toUS Weekly as a member of the fashion police^[13][14] and was also semi-finalist on the fourth season ofLast Comic Standing.^[15] He is the host of his own podcast calledAnd Here's Modi.^[16]

According to Rosenfeld, his comedic inspirations areDon Rickles,Jackie Mason,George Carlin, andLouis CK.^[8] He attributes his comedic timing toAlan King.^[6]

He was honored by the City of New York through a proclamation declaring June 26, 2018 "Mordechi 'Modi' Rosenfeld Day."^[17]

Rosenfeld is the co-founder and producer of the Chosen Comedy Festival, along with comediansElon Gold and Dani Zoldan.^[6][18] The festival premiered inConey Island in summer 2022.^[19]

In 2023, he was featured in the "36 to Watch" list byNew York Jewish Week, which honors Jewish personalities for their contributions to the city's Jewish community.^[19] In 2024, he was inducted intoAnu – Museum of the Jewish People's Hall of Fame for Jewish Humor.^[20]

Modi has also been a guest on a few podcasts, such as theKiddush Club Podcast.^{[citation needed]}

Modi isJewish and is a member of the Sixth Street Community Synagogue, Modern Orthodox congregation in Manhattan, where comedianSandra Bernhard is also a member.^[6][18]

He isgay and legally married his partner, Leo Veiga in 2020.^[10] Veiga was raisedCatholic is also his manager.^[18][10]

• Mendy Pellin
• Meir Kay
• Adina Sash

• MODI Live

• 1970 births
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• George W. Hewlett High School alumni
• Boston University alumni
• Yeshiva University alumni
• American male film actors
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