Alumni Spotlight: Dani Zoldan

In our Alumni Spotlight series, we proudly showcase the remarkable journeys of former participants of Taglit-Birthright Israel. We take immense pride in the incredible young Jewish people who have been a part of this transformative experience; they’re talented, bright, and full of chutzpah.

This series looks at our alumni’s “then and now” lives, celebrating their accomplishments, passions, and contributions to the world. We knew from the moment our young people embarked on their Taglit-Birthright Israel journey that they would walk diverse paths, forever making a positive impact on their communities and “beyond.”

Throughout the series, we chat with these outstanding individuals, learning about their post-trip adventures, professional endeavors, and how their connection to Israel and Judaism continues to shape their lives.

This week’s Alumni Spotlight highlights 2001 Taglit-Birthright Israel alum Dani Zoldan, a successful entrepreneur and founder of the Chosen Comedy Festival—an organization that provides opportunities to Jewish comedians. We began partnering with the Chosen Comedy Festival last year, and working with Dani Zoldan has been amazing. 

Zoldan grew up in a Modern Orthodox household, surrounded by friends and family. The only thing he was missing? Getting the chance to explore Israel. So many of his peers had gone to the Holy Land multiple times, and he yearned for the chance to go someday. And finally, his opportunity appeared with the inception of Taglit-Birthright Israel. Zoldan is one of the org’s OG alums—he went on our second trip ever in the second year of Taglit-Birthright Israel’s existence. Zoldan tagged along with New York University’s Hillel, where he was immersed in young Jewish student life. 

“I jumped at the opportunity. The decision to go on the trip was an easy one—it was a free trip to Israel,” he smiled.

Zoldan was excited about the trip, especially since he didn’t know anyone else going—which quickly changed. The camaraderie and bond formed with the other attendees (about 25 people) was instantaneous and pure laughter from that moment on.

“The best part of the trip was seeing the Dead Sea, the Western Wall, and hiking Masada—which I still can’t catch my breath from! Even just being on the bus, laughing, being silly, and traveling the country was incredible.”

Though an observant Jew from the start, Taglit-Birthright Israel helping grow Zoldan’s love of Judaism. The connections, the friendships, and the inspiration drawn from the sights, sounds, and smells of Israel made Zoldan feel even more connected to his community. Ultimately, this connection has helped him choose to raise his children in the faith—attending Yeshiva, keeping Shabbat, and visiting Israel often.

Zoldan’s connection to the Jewish community also heavily influenced his career. During COVID-19, Zoldan and his team at Stand Up New York Comedy Club faced a 13-month shutdown. Shortly into the pandemic, he decided to think outside the box and began producing outdoor comedy shows in parks across Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and even on rooftops. His outdoor shows went as far as transforming a subway car into a comedy club on Saturday nights—which we think is pretty cool.

Zoldan and his team quickly realized that comedy could go beyond the confines of a traditional venue with limited capacity, and their subway shows were proof. This epiphany led to the birth of the Chosen Comedy Festival. However, the idea really took shape amid a casual conversation with a fellow comedian, Elon Gold.

From the simple suggestion that Gold have Jewish comics open for him, Zoldan’s Jewish-comic-concept grew into the Chosen Comedy Festival. We, at Birthright Israel BEYOND were on board from day one, helping spread the word and even hosting an annual contest to find the next great Jewish comedian. The first Chosen Comedy Festival happened in August 2022 at the Coney Island Amphitheater, and it was a huge success—drawing in a diverse crowd of 4,200 people! 

The festival’s success led to sold-out shows in Miami, and LA, big plans for Chicago, and even an international tour in 2024. With tons of interest from Jewish comedians worldwide, the Chosen Comedy Festival has become a platform for uniting the comedy and tragedy of being Jewish.

Looking back on his journey from a 17-year-old comedy enthusiast to the 15-year owner of Stand Up New York Comedy Club and founder of the Chosen Comedy Festival, Dani Zoldan reflects on the remarkable path that led him to where he is today. While he hasn’t yet set specific plans for the next five years, he is driven by the excitement of continuously improving and diversifying the comedy game far and wide. From adding fresh Jewish talent to exploring collaborations with renowned musicians, Zoldan is eager to bring more entertainment and inspiration to audiences globally. Zoldan’s passion for comedy and commitment to fostering unity and joy within the Jewish community serve as a testament to the profound impact of his Taglit-Birthright Israel experience.

The future of Taglit-Birthright Israel is bright, and Zoldan is eager to see more in-person events for fellow alumni. He encourages anyone who has yet to go to Israel to join the program and experience the country’s beauty and Taglit-Birthright Israel connections for themselves.

In fact, it’s been nearly 25 years since the program’s launch, and Taglit-Birthright Israel’s impact reaches far and wide. As we look forward to the 25th anniversary, we are eager to see what the future holds for our alumni.

Dani encourages anyone who hasn’t taken a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip yet to go while they can. He shared, “Israel is a truly beautiful country, and the experience of exploring it with fellow young Jewish men and women is unforgettable. You’ll have the chance to meet people who are like you, who have never been there before; you’ll create lasting bonds and memories. The journey isn’t even about the places you’ll visit, but the people you’ll meet and that shared sense of heritage and belonging.” 

And the trip is only step one in your life-long journey with the Jewish community. 

It’s true—Dani Zoldan is nothing short of extraordinary. Zoldan’s passion for comedy and dedication to connecting Jewish talent from around the world exemplify our spirit at Birthright Israel BEYOND. His story is a testament to the impact of Taglit-Birthright Israel, where a free trip to the Promised Land transformed into a lifelong commitment to strengthening the Jewish community through laughter. 

We can’t wait to share more stories of incredible alumni journeys. Stay tuned for more stories about our Birthright Israel BEYOND members in this mini-series, Alumni Spotlight!