Jewish comedian Amy Schumer was taped proudly lighting candles to celebrate the closing days of Hanukkah — adding that she learned who her “real friends are’’ after speaking out post-Oct. 7.
“I stood up and spoke my mind after Oct. 7, I didn’t know I would be such a minority,’’ the native New Yorker, 44, said in the video, which was set to be posted online Sunday as part of an antisemitism campaign dubbed #BringOnTheLight.
“There were like three of us who opened our mouths,” Schumer said.
The funny lady said she was grateful that the Hamas-Israel war — sparked by the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre launched against Israel by the Palestinian terror group — provided her “clarity” as she found out “who my real friends are.
“Knowing the few people who feel that everyone should be equal, it shouldn’t be `except Jews’. It feels like everybody is fighting for everybody’s rights — except for Jewish people,” she said on the video, whose campaign was kicked off with singer Pink.
“So every time we gather or we take a moment with our family, every time we light the candle, I feel we’ve won,’’ Schumer said. “Enjoying and being proud of being Jews … I think my ancestors would be proud.’’
Former Israeli actress Noa Tishby, who organized the campaign, rallied Jewish celebrities and allies to light Hanukkah candles together to create Jewish strength and unity. The last day of lighting was Sunday.
“Jewish pride is the only way to fight antisemitism,” Tishby said in the video during her visit to Schumer’s home.
The newly slimmed down Schumer also delivered some cheeky Borscht Belt lines while discussing the holiday in the footage and eating latkes.
She said humor helped her navigate childhood — and more importantly, helped the Jewish people survive centuries of antisemitism and oppression.
“When I grew up, there was a lot of antisemitism. My last name is Schumer, they changed it to Jewmer,” she said.
“When things are the absolute worst is when my family is the funniest,’’ said Schumer, who is related to Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York.
“When we hit rock bottom, we can laugh the hardest.’’
Amy showed off pictures in the footage of her grandparents — her grandma in a mink stole and grandpa wearing a dress suit — catching a show for some laughs in the Catskills when it was known as the Jewish “Borscht Belt” of comedy.
“That’s how we survive. That’s not unique to me. That’s Jewish character,” Schumer said of the use of humor.
But Schumer was serious about being a proud Jew — and standing up for the Jewish people in Israel, the US and across the globe while many others have spewed hatred or have been silent amid the war in Gaza.
Her candle-lighting ended the #BringOnTheLight campaign.
“Amy is a brilliant comedian. and I admire how fierce and unapologetic she is in every aspect of her life,’’ said Tishby, 50.
“It was fascinating to have her share how comedy has helped her and her family get through tough times.
“I was honored to have her light the final candle with me and end the holiday, and this year’s #BringOnTheLight campaign, with a smile and a laugh.”
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
