Off-color comedy about jews breaks out in Brooklyn

[yankeedoodle]

A Brooklyn comedy club guest said had no idea she would end her night in tears after a comedian on stage — Mike Recine — performed a set of jokes culminating with one personal "attack."

Comic's off-color remarks on Jewish people and Israel-Hamas war at Brooklyn show are no laughing matter for guests
https://www.amny.com/news/brooklyn-residents-leave-comedy-show/

CJ Chellin of Williamsburg, Brooklyn was having a wonderful day in Brooklyn on Friday. She and her husband went to an exciting fundraiser at her son's school before deciding to finish off a fun day at a local comedy club.

She had no idea she would end the night in tears after a comedian on stage — Mike Recine — performed a set of jokes culminating with one personal "attack," Chellin explained.

She and her husband Scott Raskin, both fans of stand-up comedy, purchased tickets earlier in the day on Feb. 28 to see a show at the Williamsburg Comedy Club in Williamsburg. Most of the comedians were "fantastic," Chellin explained, at least until Recine took the stage after 10 p.m., and included a routine that focused on Jewish people and the Israel—Hamas war in the Middle East.

"He starts with how Jews must find 'Free Palestine' really confusing because we love free stuff," Chellin, who is Jewish, as is her husband, said. "Then he said, 'I don't know about you, but a Palestinian has never kept my security deposit.'"

Chellin and her husband, who were sitting in the front row, said that although they did not find the jokes funny, she understood that they were comedy and simply hoped he would move on to something else.

But then, she said, his jokes started to take a noticeable turn, bringing up the subject of slavery among Jews in history.

"At this point, I was getting visibly upset," she said, explaining that she and Scott got up to leave the show, even after paying around $50 for both tickets. "I'm almost crying at this point. It's very sensitive. I've dealt with a lot of antisemitism over the last 508-or-so days."

Recine did not let them leave without getting out some more words, asking if she was upset as the audience cheered on his inquisition.

After responding that she was, in fact, upset, Chellin claims Recine said something along the lines of, "Why don't you go kill some more babies?," as the audience laughed.

She then broke down in tears and exited the club with Scott, still upset, she said.

Twitter video here:  https://twitter.com/mikerecine/status/1896600458053157081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1896600458053157081%7Ctwgr%5Efa95f22b4742366b1d183bedbd323e7b3fe38eb8%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amny.com%2Fnews%2Fbrooklyn-residents-leave-comedy-show%2F

'I feel like they're not super offensive'
But Recine, who has an array of comedy content on X, told amNewYork Metro that he makes the same or similar jokes almost every night and are "usually well received" by the audience.

"The reaction definitely varies, but I feel like they're not super offensive," he said. "People are allowed to have any reaction to a joke that they want."

Meanwhile, Edward Farrell, a spokesperson for the Williamsburg Comedy Club, told amNewYork Metro that the venue believes in free speech, "especially on a comedy club stage," and will not be taking any action against Recine.

"Williamsburg Comedy Club is a place for comics to take chances," he said. "Unfortunately, people occasionally get offended, and that is out of our control. I hear jokes about many issues, topics, and groups in the club that I don't always agree with or laugh at."

Farrell added that he supports Recine's right to make jokes.

"I will not censor any of the comics who we are lucky to have on our stage," he said. "Mr. Recine made a joke and I stand by his right to do so."

Not funny to them
Chellin said she has experienced antisemitism both directly and indirectly since conflict in the Middle East began on Oct. 7, 2023. She found the last part of Recine's routine to be more of a personal attack rather than a joke.

The antisemitism Chellin described is not just anecdotal. The NYPD released crime statistics on Monday that show hate crimes against Jewish people doubled in February 2025 compared to the same month last year.

In the meantime, the couple sent an email to the club describing their experience last weekend.

"I would love an apology from the club," Chellin said. "If they want to refund our ticket prices, that's great, but whatever. What I really would like is for at least one person to see this and not support this comedian. And to warn other Jewish people that if you see this guy's name on a comedy lineup, don't go."

Chellin said she has not received a response from the club at press time.

Recine is scheduled to appear again at the same comedy club on several dates in March.