Mendek with his granddaughter, Marea, in the mid-1990s

My father, Mendek Rubin, wasn’t just a wise inventor and philosopher, he was also a man who truly loved to have fun. He frequently shared silly jokes with my sister, Ruthie, and me, but what amused us the most weren’t the actual jokes—it was his delight in telling them. We knew a joke was coming every time our dad’s face lit up with one of his big impish smiles. His eyes would sparkle with humor and anticipation, much like a little boy about to embark on an eagerly anticipated adventure. It was impossible for him to ever get to the punchline without beginning to crack up. He’d laugh so hard his whole body would shake with glee, and we’d inevitably join in.

At a recent Zoom family gathering, my sister embodied our dad’s buoyant and silly energy, periodically announcing that she had a joke to share, which she did repeatedly with jubilant cheerfulness. Just thinking back to that wonderful gathering makes me smile—not because of the specific jokes, but because of all the lightness, laughter and delight.

It turns out that my father’s penchant for laughter must have notably contributed to his happiness, because research has proven that it’s truly good medicine. Not only is laughter enjoyable, it also reduces stress hormones as well as anxiety, sadness and anger. The good feelings we generate when we laugh remain with us, helping us stay positive and optimistic, even through difficult times. Laughter and a sense of humor help us shift our perspective so that we’re able to view difficult situations in a less threatening light, and it’s good for relationships because it draws us closer to other people, helps us release inhibitions, and diffuses interpersonal conflicts.

Laughter is a natural part of being human that we can and should continuously foster. Infants begin smiling during their first weeks of life, and they laugh out loud when they’re only a few months old. Studies confirm that the more laughter we have in our lives, the happier we feel, and also that our happiness spreads to those around us, because laughter, smiles and joy are all highly contagious.

Ruthie and her daughter, Nina, are particularly good at being silly, seeking out amusement, and sharing things that tickle their funny bones, so I asked them to share some of their insights for this blog. Nina recommends watching funny movies and TV shows, as well as searching YouTube for bloopers from our favorite ones. She loves to share her favorite jokes and video clips with family and friends, because just thinking about how they’ll react gets her giggling. Nina also shared some tips that remind me so much of my dad, her grandpa: she guides herself though memories of favorite funny moments so she can experience them all over again, and she intentionally embraces her inner young child, consciously letting go of her self-consciousness as she encourages herself to feel free, no matter how ridiculous it might seem to onlookers.

Ruthie sent me these six family-friendly jokes to share with you. I hope you enjoy them and get inspired to look for more ways to bring laughter and smiles into your life, no matter what is going on in the world.

Did you hear about the two people who stole a calendar?

They each got six months.

What did the left eye say to the right eye?

Between you and me, something smells.

I got my mom a fridge for her birthday.

I can’t wait to see her face light up when she opens it.

How do you keep a bagel from getting away?

Put lox on it.

Did you hear about the new restaurant called Karma?

There is no menu—you get what you deserve.

I tried to sue the airport for misplacing my luggage.

I lost my case.