Punch-kun kissing his plushie in Ichikawa Zoo, by Daiei Onoguchi, Wikimedia Commons
As my grandchildren recited the Four Questions, my thoughts drifted—unexpectedly—to Punch the Monkey.
Yes, Punch-kun, the Japanese macaque.
That short-tailed, soft brown-furred monkey with the gentle, closed-lipped smile.
That big-eared, cuddly creature we all instinctively wanted to cradle and protect.
The same monkey who captured—and broke—hearts across TikTok.
Punch’s story, I realized, unfolds with a rhythm not unlike our family seder.
For those who may not know it, here is his tale.
Punch was born at the Ichikawa City Zoo. From the beginning, his life was marked by rejection: his mother would not care for him, and the zookeepers had to step in to raise him by hand.
Worse still, the troop rejected him. They bullied him, refused to socialize with him, and left him to navigate his small world alone.
Seeing his isolation, the zookeepers offered a simple act of kindness: a plush IKEA orangutan.
A soft, orange companion with large black eyes and a stitched, closed-lipped smile.
Punch clung to it. He hugged it, carried it everywhere, and slept wrapped in its arms—his only friend in a world that had turned him away.
And people around the world watched, empathized, and mourned for that small, lonely creature.
But then, something changed.
After forty days in the wilderness of isolation, Punch found acceptance. A member of the troop befriended him. Others followed. In time, he was no longer alone—he even found a mate.
Redemption came, slowly but surely.
So what does this small story of sorrow and renewal have to do with the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt?
Everything.
Punch is a survivor.
And Punch is loved.
And so are the Jewish people.
About the Author
Florida’s Jewish short-story writer, speaker, film producer, and retired attorney.
Mort is the co-editor of “Sea of Tranquility—A Literary Anthology.” The book is scheduled to land on the Moon in July of 2026 as part of the Lunar Codex Project. The Earthbound editions are now on sale on Amazon.
He has also authored “A Hebraic Obsession”, “The Hanukkah Bunny,” and “The Greatest Gift.” Mort has produced an award-winning short film titled “The Stairs.” The movie is available to view for free online.
ChatGPT says, “Mort is known for his works that often explore themes of love, loss, and the human connection. Laitner has published several books, including “A Hebraic Obsession.” His writing style is characterized by its emotional depth and introspection. Laitner’s works have garnered praise for their heartfelt expression and keen insight into the human experience.”
Mort was the president of the South Florida Writers Association and a correspondent for the Fort Lauderdale Sun Sentinel Jewish Journal.