A Joke to Start the Week - "Land of Our Ancestors"

It's another Monday and it's time for another Joke to Start the Week.

Bob Alper is an ordained 78-year-old Reform rabbi from Vermont who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary.

But he's also a stand-up comedian with a thirty year comedy career. He presents wonderfully unique material in a way that's intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean.

Since 2010 we have posted more than two dozen video clips of his stand-up routines. We keep finding new clips, some of which we'll use as Jokes to Start the Week.

Here's one about the time when he was offered one of his first positions as a congregational rabbi. The first call he made after accepting the job was to his mother-in-law. And then...

Enjoy!

A Joke to Start the Week - "A Jewish College"

It's another Monday and it's time for another Joke to Start the Week.

Bob Alper is an ordained 78-year-old Reform rabbi from Vermont who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary.

But he's also a stand-up comedian with a thirty year comedy career. He presents wonderfully unique material in a way that's intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean.

Since 2010 we have posted more than two dozen video clips of his stand-up routines. We keep finding new clips, some of which we'll use as Jokes to Start the Week.

Here's one about the time when he was eight years old in Vermont. When Brown University had its home football games they would parade from the campus down to the stadium right near his house. And then...

Enjoy!

A Joke to Start the Week - "The Genie"

It's another Monday and time for another Joke to Start the Week.  Today's joke is told by Bob Alper, an ordained 78-year-old Reform rabbi from Vermont who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary.

Bob is also a stand-up comedian with a thirty year comedy career. He presents wonderfully unique material in a way that's intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean.

Since 2010 we have posted more than two dozen video clips of his stand-up routines. Here's the setup: A couple were celebrating their 65th birthdays when a genie appeared. And then...

Enjoy!

A Joke to Start the Week: "College Reunion"

Bob Alper is an ordained Reform rabbi from Vermont who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary.

But he's also a stand-up comedian with a twenty-seven year comedy career. He presents wonderfully unique material in a way that's intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean.

Since 2010 we have posted more than two dozen video clips of his stand-up routines. Now Bob has launched a new series of daily Quick Laughs that you can subscribe to.

In this Quick Laugh, Bob tells a classic joke about a college reunion. 

Enjoy!

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.

A Joke to Start the Week - "Community Cow" by Rabbi Bob Alper

Bob Alper is an ordained Reform rabbi from Vermont who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary.

But he's also a stand-up comedian with a twenty-seven year comedy career. He presents wonderfully unique material in a way that's intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean.

Since 2010 we have posted more than two dozen video clips of his stand-up routines. Now Bob has launched a new series of daily Quick Laughs that you can subscribe to.

In this Quick Laugh, Bob tells the classic joke about an uncooperative cow in a small Eastern European shtetl.

Enjoy!

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.

A Joke to Start the Week - "Christian Kid's Wisdom"

Bob Alper is an ordained Reform rabbi from Vermont who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary.

But he's also a stand-up comedian with a twenty-seven year comedy career. He presents wonderfully unique material in a way that's intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean.

Since 2010 we have posted 24 video clips of his stand-up routines. Now Bob has launched a new series of daily Quick Laughs that you can subscribe to.

In this Quick Laugh, Bob tells about the unexpected wise response his minister friend got from a student when he asked a question in a church class.

Enjoy!

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. 

A Joke to Start the Week - "One of my Heroes"

Bob Alper is an ordained Reform rabbi from Vermont who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary.

But he's also a stand-up comedian with a twenty-seven year comedy career. He presents wonderfully unique material in a way that's intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean.

Since 2010 we have posted 24 video clips of his stand-up routines. Now Bob has launched a new series of daily Quick Laughs that you can subscribe to.

In this Quick Laugh, Bob explains why Harrison Ford is one of his heroes, and speculates on some age-appropriate possible titles for an upcoming Indiana Jones movie sequel. 

Enjoy!

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. 

A Joke to Start the Week - "Marital Communication"

Bob Alper is an ordained Reform rabbi from Vermont who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary.

But he's also a stand-up comedian with a twenty-seven year comedy career.

He presents wonderfully unique material in a way that's intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean

Since 2010 we have posted 24 video clips of his stand-up routines.

Now Bob has launched a new series of daily Quick Laughs that you can subscribe to. 

Here's the setup for one of his latest laughs: A psychotherapist was working with a couple on communication in their marriage. At a certain point she asked the wife "How do you express that you want to make love?" And the woman said....

Enjoy!

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.

Comedy Showcase: Rabbi Bob Alper's Standup Set at the Laugh in Peace Tour

 

We've been sharing the standup comedy of Rabbi Bob Alper 20 times since we started Jewish Humor Central ten years ago. He bills himself as the only practicing clergyman doing standup comedy...intentionally.

Bob is an ordained 74-year-old Reform rabbi who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary that prepared him well for a twenty-seven year comedy career with wonderfully unique material presented in a way that's intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean.

Audiences adore him, from an SRO crowd at the Just For Laughs Montreal Comedy Festival to a standing ovation before 2,700 people at New York's famed Chautauqua Institution. He's even appeared at Hollywood's IMPROV and THE COMEDY STORE.

Bob performs all across North America and England, at corporate events, theatres, non-profits, conventions, private parties, churches, and, naturally, synagogues. And he's done over 200 shows with his Arab and Muslim comedy partners, at a variety of venues, but primarily colleges and universities.

Today we're sharing his 30 minute standup routine from a recent performance of the Laugh in Peace tour, where he's on stage with a Baptist preacher/comedian and a Muslim standup comic.

Enjoy!

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.

A Joke to Start the Week: Jerry Seinfeld Retells 3 Gentile Jokes to Norm Macdonald

Jewish Humor Central readers may remember the three Gentile jokes delivered by Rabbi Bob Alper that we featured on May 15, 2017. 

Well, they popped up again in a YouTube video with Jerry Seinfeld doing the delivery of one of the jokes and explaining it to Canadian stand-up comedian, writer, and actor Norm Macdonald. The video included the set of three jokes as we showed them on Jewish Humor Central.

Macdonald was a cast member for five seasons on Saturday Night Live, which included anchoring Weekend Update for three years.

So what makes them Gentile jokes, as differentiated from Jewish jokes? If you've been telling and hearing Jewish jokes for as long as we have, the answer is obvious. But just in case you don't get it immediately, we'll point out that these jokes by themselves are not funny. In fact, they're not even jokes. They're just simple narratives. What makes them funny is imagining how different they would be if the protagonists were Members of the Tribe.

The Jewish version of each would be filled with angst. The mother would not accept her son's excuse without pushback.  The shopper for a new sportcoat would have plenty to say about the price quoted by the salesman. And he new business owner would regale his friend with tales of woe.

Enjoy!

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.

Comedy Showcase: Bob Alper on Being a New England Rabbi

Rabbi Bob Alper, one of our favorite standup comedians, was the headliner at the finals of The Jewish Week's annual Best Comedian competition at the Broadway Comedy Club in June.

He gave us a copy of his standup routine and we're happy to share it with you in segments.

In this first segment he talks about how he became an adviser to presidential candidate George H.W. Bush at an encounter in New England, and comments on what constitutes a real Jewish accent.

Enjoy!

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.

Rabbi Bob Alper Speaks and Jokes About Jewish Humor at Chautauqua Institution

Last week at the Chautauqua Institution's week devoted to the spiritual power of humor, Rabbi Bob Alper took the stage to offer his views on the benefits of putting laughter into your life. Bob feels that making people laugh is a holy calling and that laughter can change the world.

Bob’s unique background – he’s an ordained rabbi who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary – all of which has prepared him well for a twenty-eight year comedy career with wonderfully unique material presented in a way that’s intelligent, sophisticated, and 100% clean.  

Bob’s stand-up act is fast-paced, with impeccable timing and material that’s definitely sharp yet gentle and unhurtful.  In addition, he offers an informative, hilarious event called “The Spirituality of Laughter,” which is particularly appropriate for religious organizations, civic groups, school and hospital in-services.

The rabbi-comedian draws tremendous media attention, and he was recently named “Honorary Comedic Advisor to the Pope,” winning an international contest launched on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

Yesterday we posted Rabbi Joseph Telushkin's talk on Jewish humor at Chautauqua's week of humor, and many of you asked for more like it. So here is another rabbi (who is also a comedian) giving his take on the healing power of humor, with a special Jewish emphasis.

Enjoy!

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.

A Joke to Start the Week - Three Gentile Jokes from Rabbi Bob Alper

Today we welcome back Rabbi Bob Alper -- rabbi, stand-up comic, and author, for another Joke to Start the Week.
  We've been posting video clips from Bob's stand-up comedy sessions on Jewish Humor Central since November 2009.
  The funny reform rabbi recently performed in a synagogue in Connecticut and graciously gave us permission to share some of his jokes with you. We're sharing three short ones today. 

So what makes them Gentile Jokes, as differentiated from Jewish Jokes? If you've been telling and hearing Jewish jokes for as long as we have, the answer is obvious. But just in case you don't get it immediately, we'll point out that these jokes by themselves are not funny. In fact, they're not even jokes. They're just simple narratives. What makes them funny is imagining how different they would be if the protagonists were Members of the Tribe.

The Jewish version of each would be filled with angst. The mother would not accept her son's excuse without pushback.  The shopper for a new sportcoat would have plenty to say about the price quoted by the salesman. And he new business owner would regale his friend with tales of woe.

So we thank Bob not only for his jokes, but for his insights into the intricacies of ethnic humor.

Enjoy!

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.

A Joke to Start the Week - Two Quick Jokes by Rabbi Bob Alper

Today we welcome back Rabbi Bob Alper -- rabbi, stand-up comic, and author, for another Joke to Start the Week.
 
We've been posting video clips from Bob's stand-up comedy sessions on Jewish Humor Central since November 2009.
 
The funny reform rabbi recently performed in a synagogue in Connecticut and graciously gave us permission to share some of his jokes with you. We're sharing two short ones today. They're too short for an introduction, so just enjoy!

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.

A Joke to Start the Week - "A Difficult Match"

For the first Monday in March we welcome Rabbi Bob Alper -- rabbi, Stand-up comic, and author, to our Joke to Start the Week family.

We've been posting video clips from Rabbi Bob's stand-up comedy sessions on Jewish Humor Central since November 2009.

The funny reform rabbi recently performed in a synagogue in Connecticut and graciously gave us permission to share some of his jokes with you. We're sharing one today and we'll be posting some more on upcoming Mondays.

Here's the setup for today's joke: A man contacts his local shadchan (matchmaker) and says "I need to find a wife for my son, but it's going to be the most difficult job you ever had." And then...


Enjoy!

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.

A Rabbi Walks into a Bar...But Tells Only Clean Jokes

Rabbi Bob Alper is a Reform rabbi. He is also a comedian who manages to enthrall audiences with clean jokes in nightclubs, synagogues, community centers and at private parties. 

Alper has released a DVD of his performances than runs 102 minutes, and includes a live performance, an interview, and 33 of his best jokes. He bills himself as the only practicing clergyman doing standup comedy...intentionally.

Alper, 71, started doing stand-up comedy in 1986 in Philadelphia. He's been at it ever since, doing about 60 shows a year across the USA. He served congregations for 14 years, but now only officiates at High Holy Day services in Philadelphia.

Here is a sample of one of his routines about his days at the seminary where he was ordained, the Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in Cincinnati.

(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.)
 

A Midweek Joke From Rabbi Bob Alper - "A Jewish Name"

 

Rabbi Bob Alper's standup sets have made frequent appearances on Jewish Humor Central.
 
We've been watching his funny DVD and just can't resist sharing some of his jokes with you, especially since he gave us permission to spread the joy that his humor brings to live audiences and to viewers of the DVD.
 
The DVD contains his 50 minute standup set and a collection of jokes that we're just starting to tap into. Here's one that we call "A Jewish Name."
 
Enjoy!
 
(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.)

A Midweek Joke From Rabbi Bob Alper - "Marriage Therapy"

Rabbi Bob Alper's standup sets have made frequent appearances on Jewish Humor Central.

We've been watching his funny DVD and just can't resist sharing some of his jokes with you, especially since he gave us permission to spread the joy that his humor brings to live audiences and to viewers of the DVD.

The DVD contains his 50 minute standup set and a collection of jokes that we're just starting to tap into. Here's one that we call "Marriage Therapy."
 
Enjoy!

(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.)

A Midweek Joke From Rabbi Bob Alper - "Air Conditioning"

Rabbi Bob Alper's standup sets have made frequent appearances on Jewish Humor Central.
 
We've been watching his funny DVD and just can't resist sharing some of his jokes with you, especially since he gave us permission to spread the joy that his humor brings to live audiences and to viewers of the DVD.
 
The DVD contains his 50 minute standup set and a collection of jokes that we're just starting to tap into. Here's one that we call "Air Conditioning."
 
Enjoy!
 
(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.)

A Midweek Joke From Rabbi Bob Alper - "The Oldest Profession"

Rabbi Bob Alper's standup sets have made frequent appearances on Jewish Humor Central.
 
We've been watching his funny DVD and just can't resist sharing some of his jokes with you, especially since he gave us permission to spread the joy that his humor brings to live audiences and to viewers of the DVD.
 
The DVD contains his 50 minute standup set and a collection of jokes that we're just starting to tap into. Here's one that we call "The Oldest Profession."
 
Enjoy!
 
(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.)