Ask Haviv Anything Episode 63: New York in the age of Tucker and Mamdani, with Noam Dworman
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Nov 25, 2025 Noam Dworman, owner of the iconic Comedy Cellar and keen observer of New York's cultural pulse, dives into the implications of the city's shifting political landscape. He highlights the troubling rise of right-wing antisemitism, discussing figures like Tucker Carlson and the importance of nuanced Jewish narratives. Dworman also reflects on the psychological impacts of recent events on American Jews and critiques their initial defensive responses. He passionately advocates for better argumentation and civic engagement in the face of rising challenges.
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Comedy Cellar’s Salon Origins
- Noam inherited the Comedy Cellar after his father's death and consolidated his businesses into it in 2004.
- He shaped it into a debate-filled salon where major thinkers and comedians gather.
Comedy And Intellectual Debate Intertwine
- Dworman sees a natural overlap between comedians and intellectual debate: many comedians are idea-focused and later convert debates into jokes.
- He compares comedy and deep thinking to related crafts like math and music.
October 7 Triggered A Psychological Assault
- Noam Dworman saw October 7 as the start of a psychological war against Jews and feared an "acid rain" of hostility.
- He warned early that sympathy for Israel would quickly erode and narratives blaming Israel would spread.
