Comedy Showcase: Israeli Comic Yisrael Campbell Brings His Comedy to California

We've been fans of Israeli Chasidic comedian Yisrael Campbell ever since we posted the trailer of his Circumcise Me show back in 2009.

Now Yisrael (formerly Christopher) tells the story of his conversion from Catholicism to Judaism in Israel and anywhere else that he is booked for a comedy event.

A few years ago Campbell appeared at a gala event in Manhattan Beach, California to honor Rabbi Mark Hyman on his retirement from Congregation Tikvat Jacob Beth Torah and Yisrael''s presentation that night found its way to YouTube.

It's a story that he tells often but it's funny every time we hear it.

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.

Hasidic Comedian Yisrael (formerly Christopher) Campbell on Why He Was Circumcised Three Times

Back in October 2009 when we started blogging at Jewish Humor Central, one of our first posts was about Christopher Campbell, a former Catholic who converted to Judaism, changed his name to Yisrael, and went into the stand-up comedy business. We have been following his career and met him briefly while doing research on Jewish humor in Jerusalem last year.

He turned the story of his conversion, especially the three circumsicisons that he underwent, into a one-man show and a documentary which have been performed and shown around the world at Jewish Film Festivals and most recently this month at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in Scotland.

When we attended and reported on the Jewish Week's Funniest Comedian contest last month, we were delighted to see that Yisrael was on the program as a guest comedian. With his permission, we will be running a few excerpts from that show over the next few months, starting with today's video clip in which he explains just why he had three circumcisions.

Enjoy!

(A SPECIAL NOTE FOR NEW EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS:  THE VIDEO IS NOT VIEWABLE DIRECTLY FROM THE EMAIL THAT YOU GET EACH DAY.  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.)

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.)