Looking Back

From the William Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit History

accessible at www.djnfoundation.org

54 | SEPTEMBER 23 • 2021 
 
 
 
 

Goodbye to a
 ‘Stand-Up’ Guy
T

his column was inspired by a 
sandwich. That’s right, a sandwich. 
But not just any sandwich. This 
one has a backstory. It is really an ode to 
a person who some consider one of the 
greatest, if not the greatest, 
Jewish comedians in American 
history: Jackie Mason.
Jackie Mason passed away 
on July 24, 2021, at the age of 
93 after more than 70 years 
of making us laugh. The son 
of a rabbi, he was born Yacov 
Moshe Maza in Sheboygan, 
Wis. Mason also became an ordained rabbi, 
but he turned to comedy in his 20s. 
Like Mel Brooks, George Burns, Lenny 
Bruce, Milton Berle and many other famous 
Jewish comedians, Mason first worked the 
Borscht Belt in upstate New York. He was 
at times ribald and irreverent, often using 
Yiddish in his act, and he was funny. 
Mason was always hilarious but not without 
controversy. The JN editorial “Jackie Mason: 
Shhh!” on Oct. 13, 1989, noted how Mason 
apologized and said he “learned his lesson” 
over racially insensitive remarks about then-
New York mayoral candidate David Dinkins. 
In his latter years, Mason switched 
his support from the Democratic to the 
Republican party. He once stated that there 
were three things one could count on in life: 
“Death, taxes and antisemitism.
”
A search for Jackie Mason in the William 
Davidson Digital Archive of Jewish Detroit 
History revealed 242 pages from 1950s to the 
present that mention his name. There are also 
several feature stories about and interviews 
with Mason. In short, he had a large presence 
in the JN and in Jewish Detroit.
Many pages hold advertisements for 
his appearances in the Catskills, such as 
the Stevensville Hotel in Swan Lake and 
Grossinger’s, and for his performances in 

Detroit at Baker’s Keyboard Lounge, Pine 
Knob Music Theatre, the Roostertail and 
Andiamo’s. Mason also performed at local 
benefits for Young Israel in 1962 and Yeshiva 
Beth Yehudah in 1960, to name two. He had 
no fear of defending Jews and Israel. 
There are many articles in the JN that 
cite Mason. In some, contemporary 
comedians speak about his influence upon 
their careers. Mason was even quoted by 
Rabbi Craig Allen in a Torah portion (Dec. 
20, 1996, JN): “Timing is everything.” Of 
course, Mason was mentioned in several 
Danny Raskin columns.
Now, for my favorite Mason story and the 
sandwich that inspired this column. In May 
1989, shortly after the Palace of Auburn 
Hills opened, Mason was a headliner at 
the new arena. In his honor, the JN and the 
Plaza Deli sponsored a contest to create a 
“Jackie Mason Sandwich.” 
There were tons of entries, but Ida Olsen 
of Oak Park created the winner. Olsen 
personally presented the sandwich to 
Mason at the Palace on May 24. Judges for 
contest were Danny Raskin (who else?), 
chefs Peter Loren and Remy Berdy, and deli 
food wholesaler Larry Snider. 
The Jackie Mason? Rye and 
pumpernickel with lettuce, corned beef 
and a scrambled egg with black olives, 
then more corned beef and lettuce with 
pickled tongue and tomato. Wow! 
In a JN interview before he opened his 
one-man show on Broadway, Jackie Mason: 
Politically Incorrect, he said, “I want to offend 
people. I want to offend the sick people who 
are preposterous in their beliefs” (May 6, 1994). 
Mason was, indeed, politically un-correct at 
times, but he also made us think and laugh like 
few others. He left quite a legacy. 

Want to learn more? Go to the DJN Foundation 
archives for free at www.djnfoundation.org.

benefits for Young Israel in 1962 and Yeshiva 

comedians speak about his influence upon 

Mike Smith
Alene and 
Graham Landau 
Archivist Chair

sandwich that inspired this column. In May 

 and the 

There were tons of entries, but Ida Olsen 

Mason at the Palace on May 24. Judges for 

chefs Peter Loren and Remy Berdy, and deli 

