Comedy Showcase: Rabbi Bob Alper Headlines Comedy Show at Borscht Belt Festival

The Borscht Belt Festival in Ellenville, New York, is in its third year. Last weekend, Catskills fans from all over descended on the festival at the Borscht Belt Museum for a dose of nostalgia, Jewish comedy, and classic Jewish food as it was served in the hotels of Sullivan and Ulster Counties.

Entertainment for the weekend featured standup comedy headlined by 80-year-old Rabbi Bob Alper who has been performing standup for more than 30 years in addition to his rabbinical duties in Philadelphia and Vermont, where he lives.

In this excerpt from his comedy routine, Rabbi Bob reminisces about his first pulpit and the funny encounters he had with children when he was first ordained in Buffalo and teaching in Hebrew school.

Enjoy!

Comedy Showcase: Rabbi/Comedian Bob Alper on Finding a New Pulpit

What happens when a stand-up comedian is also a rabbi? Rabbi Bob Alper is a legendary stand-up comedian who has been making audiences laugh for years. Bob brings a unique blend of spirituality and humor to the stage. 

His experience as a rabbi and stand-up comedian gives him an unmatched storytelling ability that resonates with diverse audiences.

Throughout his thirty year comedy career he has presented 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.

Here's a clip from a recent presentation where he reflects on the time he changed pulpits. Enjoy!

Comedy Showcase: Rabbi Bob Alper - Standup Comedy About His Wife and Family

What happens when a stand-up comedian is also a rabbi? Rabbi Bob Alper is a legendary stand-up comedian who has been making audiences laugh for years. Bob brings a unique blend of spirituality and humor to the stage. 

His experience as a rabbi and stand-up comedian gives him an unmatched storytelling ability that resonates with diverse audiences.

Throughout his thirty year comedy career he has presented 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.

Here's a clip from a recent presentation where he tells funny stories about his wife and family. Enjoy!

Comedy Showcase: Rabbi Bob Alper on His Year in Israel

What happens when a stand-up comedian is also a rabbi? Rabbi Bob Alper is a legendary stand-up comedian who has been making audiences laugh for years. Bob brings a unique blend of spirituality and humor to the stage. 

His experience as a rabbi and stand-up comedian gives him an unmatched storytelling ability that resonates with diverse audiences.

Throughout his thirty year comedy career he has presented 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.

Here's a clip from a recent presentation where he talks about the year he spent in Israel while studying to be a rabbi.

Enjoy!

Comedian Rabbi Bob Alper Meets a Jewish Flight Attendant

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. During the Covid pandemic his standup performances were limited to Zoom sessions. Now that it's over, he is back on the comedy club circuit. Here's a short video of Rabbi Alper recalling a funny incident years ago while flying on US Airways when he encountered a Jewish flight attendant.

Enjoy!

Comedian Rabbi Bob Alper on How He Won the Joke With the Pope Contest

There's a reason why Sirius/XM Satellite Radio plays Rabbi Bob Alper's bits several times daily, often sandwiched between Bob Newhart and Jerry Seinfeld.

Bob's unique background - he's an ordained rabbi who served congregations for fourteen years and holds a doctorate from Princeton Theological Seminary - 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.

Last month Rabbi Bob told an audience in central Florida about how he beat 4,000 competitors from 47 countries in winning a contest for a joke that Pope Francis would like when he visited the USA in 2015.

Here's the joke. Enjoy!

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Comedy Showcase: Rabbi Bob Alper is Back With More Stand-up Comedy

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. For the last two years, his standup performances have been limited to Zoom sessions because of the Covid pandemic. Now that it's over, he is back on the comedy club circuit with a recent appearance at  the Don't Tell Mama cabaret in New York City.

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 - "Skydiving" 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.

Here's the setup for this quick laugh: An Israeli and an Arab find themselves in a skydiving plane. When it came time to jump, the Israeli went out first. 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 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. 

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 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.)
 

Rabbi Bob Alper Wins "Joke With the Pope" Contest, Becomes "Honorary Comedic Advisor" to Pope Francis

Rabbi Bob Alper, the retired Reform rabbi and stand-up comic from Vermont whose jokes have appeared many times on Jewish Humor Central, got a big surprise yesterday morning when he was notified that he is the winner of the "Joke With the Pope" contest. 

With his joke selected from the more than 4,000 that were submitted during Pope Francis' visit to the USA, Alper was awarded the title of "Honorary Comedic Advisor" to the Pope by the Catholic organization that sponsored the contest, the Pontifical Missions Societies.

As Steve Lipman writes in this week's issue of The Jewish Week,

The rabbi, who lived in East Dorset, Vt., “was kind of shocked and delighted.” A veteran of ecumenical performing, having appeared in comedy shows for more than a decade with Muslim and Protestant colleagues, his 27-second video featured a mild joke he tells about him and his wife of 46 years. The rabbi, in the joke, pokes fun at himself.

“The joke is one of the best I’ve ever written,” Rabbi Alper told The Jewish Week in a telephone interview. “It’s reality. It’s something with which people can identify. It exemplifies the Pope’s values, which are family, humor, warmth.”

The contest was an extension of the Vatican’s increasing use of social media and a reflection of Francis’ accessible personality, said Father Andrew Small, national director of PMS.

He “shopped the idea around” in church circles. Some people were nervous. Was it disrespectful to the Pope? Then Francis, who had heard about the proposal, sent a letter of approval in his native Spanish. “ I like to laugh – a lot. It helps me to feel closer to God and closer to other people in my life,” the Pope wrote. “I invite you to share your happiness, your joy and your laughter with one another and with the whole world. Share your jokes and your funny stories: the world will be better, the Pope will be happy and God will be the happiest of all.”

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 - "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 - "The Logger"

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 Logger."

 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.)