An Italian, an Irishman, a Catholic, an American, a Former Drug Addict, a Reform Jew, a Conservative Jew, an Orthodox Jew, an Israeli, a Yeshiva Student, a Father of Four, and a Recovering Alcoholic Walk into a Bar...

...and the bartender says: "Hi, Yisrael!" as he greets Yisrael Campbell, who neglected to include "and a comedian" in his self-description.

It's all of those wrapped into one in Yisrael Campbell, formerly Christopher Campbell, who fits all of the above categories. Campbell, who gained comedic fame with his one-man show, Circumcise Me, has opened the door to a new phase of comedy with the debut of his new video series, The Times of Yisrael.

In this first episode, Yisrael has made a momentous decision about his facial hair. It doesn’t stop him from eating as he rants to his buddy Gary about preserving the symbol of his dedication to Judaism — just in case his three circumcisions weren’t enough. 

His buddy is Gary Rudoren, an alumnus of Chicago’s Annoyance Theater and NYC’s Magnet Theater where he has written and directed many solo shows over the last 20 years. Gary also directs the Hahafuch improv comedy troupe in Jerusalem and is the husband of New York Times Jerusalem bureau chief Jodi Rudoren.

We've met Yisrael and Gary in cafes, comedy clubs, and shows during our trips to Israel. They're a funny team and we hope you'll enjoy their collaboration in this series, which we'll be watching for and sharing with you as the episodes are released.

Shabbat shalom!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO MAY NOT BE VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY ON SOME COMPUTERS AND TABLETS.  YOU MUST CLICK ON THE TITLE AT THE TOP OF THE EMAIL TO REACH THE JEWISH HUMOR CENTRAL WEBSITE, FROM WHICH YOU CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON IN THE VIDEO IMAGE TO START THE VIDEO.)