Jewish American Heritage Month

Posted By richards on December 23, 2014

Rabbi and comedian Bob Alper will share his skills as a funny story teller on Dec. 25 in a 90-minute stand up comedy show at Temple Sinai of Hollywood.

"Having Bob (Alper) perform on Christmas Day is no accident. I have known Bob for years and wanted to book him on Dec. 25. With the shopping malls and many restaurants closed, what else can Jews do on Christmas Day but see our show?," laughed Harry Silverman, executive director of Temple Sinai.

"I am so happy that Bob Alper is willing to share his comedy with us. Our audience will be captivated by his wit, charm and comedy," he added.

"I love performing on Christmas. I tell many Christmas and Hanukkah jokes, such as one of the joys of watching television on Hanukkah is watching newsman Brian Williams mispronouncing Hanukkah as 'Chhhhahh-- na-koo-nah' all the time. and his "ch" sounds make him sound like he is choking," joked Alper.

Alper has been performing as a stand up comedian full time since 1985, but speaks on topics that most comedians won't do stories from the pulpit. Alper also will not go down the raunchy path as some comedians do with foul mouthed jokes.

"I am a rabbi and still respected as one by my audiences. So I don't want to tarnish my role by talking about the lowest common denominator topics like the young comedians do. I am proud that I do clean, funny material that all ages can enjoy."

Along with funny sermons, Alper's repertoire of topics include weddings and funerals he officiated, religious education and funny observations about the behavior of his congregants during services.

"I always had a knack as a rabbi of finding humor to begin a sermon and it is very much at the heart of Judaism. Even in study, I always had the attention of my students in Talmud studies by beginning the lessons with a few jokes."

After graduating from Hebrew Union College and ordained as a reform rabbi in 1978, Alper had pulpits in fourteen congregations throughout the country and earned his doctorate at Princeton Theological Seminary.

"Even as I performed the rabbi's duties, I took a chance and performed comedy part time outside of the temple. The audience reaction was positive and so I became more confident. Eventually, I gave up my pulpit to do stand up comedy full time and have no regrets," said the 70-year-old comedian, who hopes to never retire from performing.

Excerpt from:

Rabbi turned comedian to perform at Temple Sinai

Category: Talmud
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