NEW YORK CITY (VINnews)-In a stark illustration of rising antisemitism in New York City, veteran comedian Judy Gold confronted and had removed an audience member who heckled her with an antisemitic remark during a stand-up performance at the New York Comedy Club on the Upper West Side.

Gold, a longtime Jewish comedian known for her sharp wit and outspoken advocacy against antisemitism, shared video footage of the incident on social media. In the clip, she directly addresses the heckler after he reportedly shouted something to the effect of “You’re a Jew!” as an insult.

“You’re annoying. Anyway, I’m a Jew? Is that what he said?” Gold responds on stage, turning the moment into material while calling out the bigotry. She continues with lines like “Did you just call me a Jew?” and eventually bids the disruptor farewell with “Bye bye” and “Shalom!” as staff intervene.

The comedian praised the club’s swift response in her accompanying post: “It’s come to this: Antisemites aren’t even ashamed anymore, even on the Upper West Side. I am so grateful to class act Jennifer Piccerilo and the rest of the staff at NY Comedy  lub for acting so quickly and doing the right thing.”

The Upper West Side has long been home to a significant Jewish community, making the open display of prejudice particularly alarming to many observers. Supporters online echoed Gold’s sentiment, noting that the venue’s decisive action—escorting the heckler out—represented a small but meaningful pushback against normalizing antisemitism in public spaces.

This incident comes amid broader concerns about antisemitism in New York City and across the U.S., with reports of increased harassment, protests targeting Jewish events, and verbal attacks becoming more brazen in everyday settings. Gold has frequently addressed these issues in her comedy and public commentary, using humor as both a coping mechanism and a tool for resistance.

The New York Comedy Club, a staple venue for stand-up in Manhattan, has not issued a public statement beyond the actions taken during the show. Gold’s post quickly gained traction, amassing thousands of likes, reposts, and comments reflecting a mix of support for her stance and frustration over the persistence of such bigotry.

As debates over free speech, heckling in comedy, and rising hate continue, moments like this highlight the tension performers and audiences face. Gold’s handling of the situation—blending confrontation, comedy, and gratitude for venue support—serves as a reminder that many are unwilling to let antisemitism go unchallenged, even mid-set.