The "Talk"

In the very top paragraph, where you mention his mother. I think it IS very sexist, and that if you were jewish you would not think like that.

you so funny and I just cant imagine my life without your e_mails and videos

Really enjoyed the article - being a Jewish convert living in Israel and a bit of a mechanic myself ... am I an anomoly? Shalom ya'll!

Now wait one cotton pickin' second. I've known Jewish mechanics. I get slightly suspicious of their intentions though when they point out which Tehillim to read while they work on my cars.

My hopes for a relatively inexpensive repair sink when he dons his kippah and intones kassish over the engine, particularly frightening when all I brought in for was to empty the ashtray of the gum wrappers. I've never been too good at mastering the mechanics of remove it myself.

But how could I not love the man? When I purchased my brand new van he sawed off a few inches off my exhaust pipe. Such a mench! No charge yet.

Speaking of charges, he keeps a board out front that lists his prices.

Front end alignment. It depends.

Tire rotation. Are you kidding? They rotate on their own or you woldn't have made it here.

Oil change. How much change do you have?

Road test. Don't blame me, it's part of the no car left behind program.

Brake replacement. What do you break for?

Transmission flush.

Now wait just a second, I may not know anything about cars, but I've never flushed a transmission in my life.

But I did once have a great mechanic who put antifreeze into my old VW.

I'm Jewish and I found this article funny. I don't think it's saying Jews are not good mechanics. I just see it as a funny article

loved the article - very funny. I'm not Jewish, but one thing I know, making a living as a comedy writer, are that Jews have a great sense of humour. Reading the comments here - I see there are exceptions to that "rule"

I reread the above article and honestly do understand that when the Dad is talking about 'mechanic' he could replace that word with the word 'physician'...and I do get the humor there. (just a bit)

But' I also understand how some are annoyed at the stereotype that Jews can't do well as Auto mechanics. Or that Jews by birth don't do well in the trades. But that Jews do very well as physicians. The article annoyed me, also.
Being a Physician or a Surgeon is working on 'body' parts as well as an Auto mechanic working on 'body' parts. Each can diagnose a problem and then find a fix for it. There is a fine line between a trade and a profession. I think that the line between the two is blurred by the income generated and education attained. The intelligence and the abilities are the same.
I know stupid Physicians and I know brilliant ones. Also, I know brilliant mechanics and some pretty inept ones as well.
My thinking has always been.... first we Jews should learn a trade....if we are too inept to become mechanics, then we should seriously consider never being a Physician..

Cheer up guys! Of course there are Jewish car machanics. This is meant to be funny!

Where is it written that Jews can't be mechanically inclined? Where??? Jews can be the best mechanics, as well as the best engineers, the best doctors, best drywallers and best laborers, if that be their calling.

There is no dishonor is an honest day's work, be it at an executive desk, in the operating theater, or under the hood of a car.

Maybe this story is is funny, but all I know is the stereotype irks me so much I can't see the humor...

Our Jewish son became a certified diesel mechanic when he was 18 years old prior to attending college. Though he's a physician, he has always enjoyed fixing things and has frequently repaired his own car. He also does a lot of repairs and even remodeling on his home. I agree with "anonymous". Don't continue the stereotype of Jews being only good for certain things and being stupid in others. This was forced on the Jews during the Middle Ages in Europe and was one of the misconceptions that the founding of Israel was supposed to dispel. Jewish people have been farmers, mechanics, artisans and laborers as well as being professionals, bankers and merchants. Jews can be good with our hands, depending on our own individual talents and participate in any kind of work, which is a blessing. We don't have to accept the limitations that others have tried to put on us in the past and can feel free to use all the talents that God has given us.

LOL, I like the part where the boy asks 'are there any good parts' and the dad thinks and then the boy says 'dad?'

The Dad's a nebbish. My husband, Jewish of course, was a Chevron dealer/mechanic for 30 years. And who do you think fixes the cars in Israel - mostly Jewish mechanics. Quite making all Jews such dunces when it comes to having other skills than those used by doctors and lawyers.