Jeremy Dauber is the Atran Professor of Yiddish Language, Literature and Culture at Columbia University, and director of its Institute of Israel and Jewish Studies. Dauber brings an unparalleled depth of insight to the realm of Jewish literature, comedy, and cultural studies, particularly in his work on the iconic figure Mel Brooks. Dauber’s expertise spans Yiddish literature to the evolution of humor within Jewish communities. His new book, Mel Brooks: Disobedient Jew (Yale University Press, 2023) tellingly analyzes Brooks’s comedic genius, penetrating the layers of satire, wit, and cultural commentary embedded in Brooks’s films. Dauber’s insightful reading of Brooks’s career not only sheds light on his influential contributions to the world of entertainment but also offers a profound understanding of how humor intersects with identity, tradition, and societal change, establishing Dauber’s reputation as a leading authority on the study of Jewish culture and comedy.