National Humor Month is still going strong and our Federation would like to show our support, not only for comedy, but for a Jewish comedian who was himself a strong proponent of both Israel and Jewish summer camp.
Born in 1892 in New York City to Russian-Jewish immigrants, Israel “Izzy” Iskowitz was raised by his grandmother, Esther Kantrowitz, after his parents’ deaths. Growing up poor on the city’s lower east side, Izzy lived in a crowded tenement apartment where his grandmother often hosted Polish immigrants before finding them local housework. For entertainment, he roamed the streets with his friends, where he often got into trouble. “He was essentially a bit of a hooligan,” said Jordan Dale, Director of Surprise Lake Camp, “and probably headed for a life of no good.”
In 1901, the Educational Alliance, a nonprofit initially formed as a social institution to help Eastern European Jewish immigrants, founded a summer camp in Cold Spring, New York. Its goal was to get Jewish boys like Izzy out of the tenements and into a safe environment with fresh air. Surprise Lake Camp, as it would later be called, was like a dream for Izzy. For one thing, he was fed much more than he was used to at home. Plus, it was at camp that he perfected his earliest comedic routines — often mimicking the Polish girls who stayed in his home for kids around the campfire. “Legend goes,” said Jordan, “that he so loved being in camp that he used to entertain the counselors and the kids in the hope that he would be asked to extend his stay, which, in fact, worked. And the camp helped him change his life.”
During his teens, Izzy changed his name to Eddie because the girl he had his eye on liked it better. This turned out to be a good decision — she would eventually become his wife. In his later teens, motivated by the response he’d gotten at camp, Eddie began performing in talent shows and appearing on stage. By the time he premiered on Broadway in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1917, long-gone was Izzy Iskowitz, and the star Eddie Cantor (a nod to his grandmother’s last name) was born.
The 1920s heard Eddie on the radio regularly and by the 30s, he was radio’s highest rated star. During his sign-off, he often plugged for charities, including the March of Dimes, a phrase Eddie actually coined for the organization. His dedication to helping others and support of charities later earned him a Presidential Citation. However, in a 1938 issue of The Forward, it was reported that Eddie Cantor received death threats from Nazis because he supported some Jewish causes. The Forward wrote: “Cantor says that he isn’t terribly fearful of such threats and vows to continue his work on behalf of the Jews.”
Renowned for singing such songs as “Makin’ Whoopee,” “Yes! We Have No Bananas” and “Ma! He’s Makin’ Eyes at Me,” Eddie appeared in a number of short films and a handful of features over his 30-year film career. In the 1940s, his “banjo eyes” (a play on his wide-eyed stare) were exaggerated on a balloon in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Eddie also appeared on television in the 1950s as a host of The Colgate Comedy Hour. In 1956, he was presented with an honorary Academy Award for his distinguished service to the film industry.
Throughout his career, Eddie would periodically announce that the proceeds of his concerts would be donated to Surprise Lake Camp. He likely attributed much of his success to the Jewish camp and remained involved his whole life, even helping raise money for the camp’s Eddie Cantor Theater, which still thrives today.
Eddie was also a strong supporter of Israel. He visited the country and recorded a video to raise funds for the United Jewish Appeal. In 1962, two years before his death, Israel presented him with the Medallion of Valor for his extraordinary efforts on behalf of the Jewish State.
Thank you, Eddie Cantor, for bringing the world joy and laughter and for ensuring the future of our Jewish community through your support of Jewish summer camp!
Watch Eddie Cantor in his element:
See Eddie Cantor’s appeal for Israel:
