13 Aug SIMON SEZ SMILE! AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH SIMON (SHOLOM) HYMAN – SIMON SEZ
FAST FACTS
Name: Simon (Sholom) Hyman
Born in: Rochester, New York
Father: Rabbi Chaim Hyman, Chief Rabbi of Rochester
Yeshiva Growing Up: Chofetz Chaim in Rochester
Camp Growing Up: I went to Camp Magen Avraham when I was about six years old. I was a little homesick child and ended up staying there every summer until I was 18.
Currently Davens At: I daven at different shuls every day. If I have an early show, I’ll daven at the Eisenstadt shtiebel in Boro Park. If I don’t have a job that day, I might daven at Burstein on 56th and 12th. If I really have no job, I’ll go to Satmar on 53rd and 14th. On Shabbos, I daven at Reb Shloime’s shul- Beled. In the summer upstate, I usually daven at Woodbourne or Ichud. It can range from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM. That’s emesdik.
Current Chevrusa: Kopie Botckecht, Dovid Hager, and Sheldon Spirn Masechta Currently Learning with my Special
Chevrusa’s: Since my parents passed away, my goal has been to finish the entire Sefer of Mishnayos. I’m currently on my second cycle, learning Nezikin. Right now, we’re finishing up Eduyos and Avos—everything is being learned l’iluy nishmas my parents.
How did you become “Simon Sez”? How did it all begin?
Great question. I was always enamored
by the game as a kid. When I was around
30 started doing it as a shtick. One day,
I was at a friend’s simcha, and there
was a cancellation for a birthday party.
Someone suggested, “Why not hire
Simon Hyman—Sholom Hyman—for
Simon Sez Entertainment?” I had no idea
what I was going to do, and 30 years
later, I’m Mr. Simon Sez, who would have
thought. Beyond grateful, Incredible
BH!!
It’s been 25 years now, Baruch Hashem,
and I do over 300 shows a year—camps,
schools, Sheva Brachos, corporate and
holiday parties, anniversary parties—
even shiva calls, believe it or not. I go
to be m’sameach people and elevate
neshamos.
Who did you learn your skill
from?
There were entertainers who played
Simon Says in the ‘50s through the ‘80s,
especially in hotels like Grossinger’s and
the Concord, but that was before my
time. I didn’t know much about them,
though people would say, “Have you
heard of Lou Goldstein or others who
did Simon Says?”
Really, I just developed it on my own.
More shows, more time to master my
skills. As I’ve gotten older, especially
after losing my parents, I came to
understand that the purpose of life is
to make people laugh. My motto is:
it doesn’t matter whether you win or
lose—it’s about having fun.
This summer, Baruch Hashem, I have
nearly 200 shows lined up in bungalow
colonies, day camps, and sleepaway
camps. The business keeps growing.
Comedy, laughter and everyone
being involved. Can’t find much
entertainment that’s Kosher and has
everyone participating. About 70% of
my work is in non religious camps. The
kids are Jewish, though, so I wear a
yarmulke and try to make an impression.
You never know—maybe one kid sees
me and thinks, “Hey, look at that cool
Orthodox guy, Maybe I’ll be mekarev
someone just by being me.
What’s your favorite type of
show? Who’s your favorite
audience to perform for?
I love corporate parties, especially when
the crowd isn’t Jewish, because I get to
show people, “Hey, look at this Orthodox
Jew who wears a yarmulke and is
amazing at what he does.”
When it comes kids shows, Boys and Girls
are different. boys play Simon Sez for the
competition and they think they know it
all, and the girls play for the giggles and
laughter. Adult Simon Sez is about the
competition and the laughs.
How often do people actually
beat you at Simon Sez?
Well, that’s the thing—there’s no
winning or losing. I might line up 25
people or have a whole room playing
at a corporate event. It’s all about who’s
the last person standing. Everyone’s
playing for themselves. My job is to try
to get them out. The last one standing
might get a $2 bill and an adult $500. it
depends on the event.
Can you name a few famous
people you’ve performed for?
I performed for the Ivanka and Jared
Kushner family a few times before Mr.
Trump was President. It was right before
his first term as president. I’ve done a few
shows for politicians, but to me, every
person is important. Again all about the
Happiness and Laughs.
Is this your full-time parnassah?
Yes, this is my full-time parnassah. I
also enjoy visiting nursing homes and
perform for special needs groups, often
without charging or minimal fee. I love
doing shows for camps and schools
who have children with disabilities. I
see the emes in every person. Bringing
joy to them is one of the most fulfilling
things in my life. Not everyone has the
energy or the gift to be m’sameach
others. I do, and I use it. Hashem gave
me a gift, and I’m using that gift to
bring out the best in everyone. Just
need to trust the entertainment-
Simon Sez.
Is there a specific person or
group you’d like to perform
for but haven’t yet?
I’d love to do a Chanukah party at
the White House for the President of
the United States. I’d also love to grow
my corporate business to Fortune 500
companies. I tell prospective corporate
clients, hire me once and you will never
want to hire someone else for your
employees. Emes, the Truth. Again
Thank you Hashem. We all want to
make money, but for me it’s not just the
money. It’s about showing the world
that an Orthodox Jew can entertain 500
people, be Kosher, competitive, and have
non stop laughter. About 20 years ago, I
took advice from a Rabbi, Always be very
confident and show respect, because
the crowd will always reciprocate back.
My Mother and Father always told me to
be kind and smile. Trying my best!
What do you do when you’re
not entertaining?
That’s a good question. My business
is seasonal. chanukah- Holiday Parties
in the winter, camps during The
summer. I do travel a few times a year
for out of town jobs. Corporate, Shuls
and Schools. When I have extra time,
I chase local chesed( schools and
organizations), some vacation, and
looking for new opportunities.
Not everyone can afford entertainment,
and it’s important to give back. I get
so many phone calls, hate saying no.
Unfortunately It’s part of any business.
So I choose many chesed jobs. Life’s
not always about money. It’s about
bringing joy and laughter to Kids and
Adults.
FUN QUESTIONS
You’re known as a bit of a foodie. What’s your favorite restaurant?
I’m definitely a foodie. I might not eat in the
conventional way, but I do it on purpose— it’s called
FOMO. I don’t have a single favorite restaurant, but my
favorite food is definitely pizza.
My top pizza spots are Amnon’s, Pizza Time, and
Benny’s. Any ideas??
When it comes to fleishigs, steak is good, but gets cold
after a few bites. I love burgers—but they have to be
made right: medium, with a toasted bun. French fries
must be well done—it’s all about the crisp and the
crunch.
For dessert, I’d go for bells from Korn’s Bakery,
Chinese cookies from Taam Eden, or chocolate chip
cookies from Strauss’s. I’m telling you, I’m getting
hungry just thinking about it. Go check out my status—
I’m a foodie.
If you could be a fly on the wall during any moment in history, what would it be?
As a Kohen, I’d love to have been at the Mizbeach when
the Beis Hamikdash was built. That would be incredible
to witness. There’s still so much I have to learn, but
being in the Beis Hamikdash would’ve been something
special.
I think all rabbis are amazing. A lot of people go to
Israel for brachos, and that’s beautiful. But I believe
that the blessings you want come from within—when
you daven, when you do the right things, when you
make your own hishtadlus. Hashem listens. Every extra
bracha from a rabbi is a bonus. A person creates their
own Mazel and Bracha. Tefillah, Tehillim, Chesed, and
trying to be a good person. No one is perfect, Hashem
knows that, always putting in the effort. Thank You
Hashem.
If the mann could taste like anything, what would you choose?
This is going to sound weird—most people wouldn’t eat
it—but I’d say Funyuns. They’re Triangle K, Rabbi
Ralbag-certified. But more seriously, I’d probably
choose Stern’s round cake with the white cream inside.
I’m a cake and cookie junkie. Bell- Korns, Chinese
cookie- Taam, round cakes with the cream-Sterns, and
Keristerih Shmurah matzah(whole wheat).
If you could invite any three people for Friday night dinner, who would they be?
I’d invite my Parents. I miss them very much. Then, the
Chofetz Chaim. And to mix it up—Sandy Koufax. I’m a
Kirby Puckett guy, but I’d want another Jew at the
table, so Sandy makes the cut.