Stand-up comedian Ben Ben-Baruch was supposed to make Israelis laugh these days across the United States, in a tour he was preparing for and excited about. Instead, he visits wounded people in hospitals, uses his online power to help anyone who asks, and tries to create a content channel that is a little less sad than the news broadcasts to provide an alternative for those looking for a few moments of escapism.
"After the crisis I had during the coronavirus, I promised myself that I would try to remain optimistic, that in moments of crisis I would come to my senses as quickly as I could. And that's what I did, from the very beginning. I'm the head of a family, at home with my wife and daughters who were shocked and anxious, and I felt I needed to keep morale high, be optimistic and strengthen – both in our nuclear family and outside. Already on Monday, we went to hospitals with friends and colleagues to see the wounded, to look them in the face. At the same time, I opened my social media pages for informational messages and help in searching for the missing.
"Tonight at Ben Ben Baruch's", Photo: Reshet 13
"I felt I had to do more, so I started filming an optimistic war diary at home. These are episodes of 30 to 40 minutes, in which I summarize the day of fighting, which was from a different angle, a little light, and with humorous stories. I didn't think it would have so much exposure, and thankfully I get a lot of thank-you messages from people. It encourages and strengthens me to do more."
In this terrible time, when the country is dealing with pain and destruction that we did not know, how can we even laugh or think about humor?
"The answer is simple. From time immemorial – in the greatest crises humanity has ever known – humor, laughter and joy are what left the last drop of hope and belief that things will be good and that there is more to fight for. It's very tricky and depends on time and timing, so I think that my colleagues and I need to be sensitive and know how to go backwards and give up if even one soul can be hurt. We are a people that has gone through unimaginable crises, but in the end we are here, and we will stay here, and no one will be able to us. It is a mitzvah to make the people of Israel happy at this time more than at any other time."
Stand-up comedy Ben Ben Baruch, Photo: Reshet 13
In conclusion, he says: "I am a person of faith, I believe in the power of word and speech. When I was with Katorza and Adir Miller on hospital visits, we also met with the families of those who are anesthetized and ventilated, who sit in the waiting rooms finished. I didn't know what to do in such a situation, and I saw that Catorza went by one by one and hugged them, told them it would be okay. So I did the same and said 'it's going to be fine' and I realized that when a lot of people say it's going to be okay, then it's going to be fine. There is power in speech. We have power in what we say. And there's power in saying a chapter of Psalms, which is where I end every chapter I record. We have nothing to do but pray for our soldiers to return home safely, and for this nightmare to end."
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