Modi Rosenfeld (; born Mordechi Rosenfeld), known professionally as Modi (stylized as MODI) is an Israeli-American stand-up comedian and actor. He is known for his Jewish humor and has become a mainstay among Orthodox audiences.Hajdenberg, Jackie (26 March 2024). Modi, a comedian popular with Orthodox crowds, has a new special. He wants non-Jews to watch, too. Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved on 29 March 2025
Early years Rosenfeld was born in Tel Aviv and moved to Woodmere, New York, with his family when he was seven years old.Malul, Dor (7 July 2024). Modi Rosenfeld, Jewish comedian who took US by storm, headed to Israel Israel Hayom. Retrieved on 29 March 2025 His parents spoke only Hebrew at home and the family spent their summers in Israel. He graduated from George W. Hewlett High School in 1988 and Boston University in 1992, majoring in psychology and minoring in voice.
Rosenfeld studied cantorial music at Yeshiva University's Belz School of Music. He was a Wall Street international banker for Merrill Lynch before entering comedy.Backstage Show me the Funny: Making Money in Stand-up Comedy , May 21, 1999
Career Modi is an established headliner at comedy clubs across the United States and is a regular fixture on the comedy scene in both New York and Los Angeles.Baltimore Jewish Times Something to Laugh About, March 27, 2014 His home club is the Comedy Cellar. Modi has performed for Orthodox, Reform and other non-Orthodox audiences internationally.Aschenbrand, Periel (11 February 2017). The Chosen Ones: An Interview With MODI Tablet. Retrieved on 29 March 2025 He performed at the launch party of the late Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon in Houston before takeoff.
Rosenfeld is known for having a particularly large following among Orthodox audiences, performing at yeshivas, National Council of Young Israel affiliates, Hatzalah, Chabad telethons and Eshel.Gergely, Julia (31 May 2024). Jewish Pride Month events in New York City 2024, from galas to Shabbat services New York Jewish Week. Retrieved on 29 March 2025 He has also performed for special Shabbat dinners for the Council of Fashion Designers of America.Hajdenberg, Jackie (7 February 2025). Swanky, secular Shabbat parties keep popping up in NYC New York Jewish Week. Retrieved on 29 March 2025
Rosenfeld has contributed to US Weekly as a member of the fashion police.US Weekly Fashion police , 2001US Weekly Fashion police , 2003 He was a semi-finalist on the fourth season of Last Comic Standing.Hollywood Reporter Lynch part of the family for CBS Pilot, September 26, 2006
Rosenfeld cites Don Rickles, Jackie Mason, George Carlin, and Louis CK as his comedic inspirations.
The City of New York proclaimed June 26, 2018 "Mordechi 'Modi' Rosenfeld Day".
Rosenfeld is the co-founder and producer of the Chosen Comedy Festival, along with comedians Elon Gold and Dani Zoldan. The festival premiered in Coney Island in summer 2022.
In 2023, he was featured in the "36 to Watch" list by New York Jewish Week, which honors Jewish personalities for their contributions to the city's Jewish community.(16 May 2023). Modi Rosenfeld, 53, comedian and actor New York Jewish Week. Retrieved on 29 March 2025 In 2024, he was inducted into Anu – Museum of the Jewish People's Hall of Fame for Jewish Humor. Barr, Neria (9 September 2024). American comedian Modi to be inducted in ANU’s Jewish humor hall of fame The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved on 29 March 2025
He is the host of his own podcast called And Here's Modi. He has also been a guest on the podcasts Unorthodox, WTF with Marc Maron and Headliners with Nihal Arthanayake for the BBC. (8 June 2023). Stepping Out Talet Mag. Retrieved on 8 April 2025Episode 1629 - Modi Rosenfeld WTF with Marc Maron. Retrieved on 27 March 2025[ Rosenfeld has coined the term "Moshiach energy" to describe his performance style. In a 2023 piece published in Variety, Rosenfeld discussed being gay while performing for many orthodox Jewish communities. In his comedic routines, Rosenfeld attempts to demonstrate that it is possible to be a practicing and observant Jew as well as part of the LGBTQ community.
Personal life Modi is Jewish and is a member of a Modern Orthodox congregation in Manhattan.
Rosenfeld has described his Jewish practice in terms of regular observance, including wearing tefillin in the morning while touring and keeping a kosher home.
He is gay and legally married his partner, Leo Veiga, in 2020. Veiga was raised Catholic and is also Modi's manager.Hajdenberg, Jackie (24 January 2024). Jewish comedian Modi Rosenfeld, a mainstay for Orthodox audiences, is gay. So what? Jewish Telegraphic Agency. Retrieved on 29 March 2025
He is dyslexic and has been diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/style/gay-jewish-comedian-modi-rosenfeld.html
Filmography Year Film/Show Role Notes 1997 Friday Night Modi TV series; episode: "Sunset Beach - Behind the Scenes" 2002 The Sopranos Etan TV series; episode: "Mergers and Acquisitions" 2003 Connecting Dots Tom 2004 Waiting for Woody Allen MendelShort film Der Kosh Rabbi Our Italian Husband Pasquale 2006 Ira & Abby Marvin the Limo Driver Agent Emes 5: Agent Emes and the Happy Chanukah Rocky Rabinowitz Video 2007 Stand Up Avi A Perfect Holiday Father in Line 2008 One, Two, Many Jermaine 2009 CSI: NY David Klein TV series; episode: "Yahrzeit" 2010 Horrorween Shlomo 2014–2015 Deadbeat Menachem Mendel 5 episodes 2017 Madam Secretary Oded Dahan TV series; episode: "The Essentials" 2019 Crashing Himself TV series; episode: "The Temple Gig"
Video games Year Game Role Notes 2008 Grand Theft Auto IVIssac Roth2009 Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned Archive footage Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony
See also Mendy Pellin Meir Kay Adina Sash
References
External links MODI Live