Dr. Robert A. Alper

Rabbi/Stand-Up Comic

Website : http://www.bobalper.com
Residence : Vermont

Biographical information
Bob Alper is the only rabbi in the country who regularly addresses congregations that require a cover charge and a two-drink minimum. Sound funny? You bet it is. Bob is the world's only practicing clergyman doing stand-up comedy…intentionally. His fresh, contemporary, and totally "unorthodox" style has been delighting audiences from Hollywood's IMPROV to London theatres. And his unique brand of humor appeals to everyone - from a synagogue or church crowd to a corporate event to a typical Saturday night comedy club.

A native of Providence, Rhode Island, Bob is a graduate of Lehigh University, was ordained at Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, and is the first Jewish person ever to earn a doctorate from the Princeton Theological Seminary. He has served congregations in Buffalo and Philadelphia, where he continues to conduct High Holiday services. Bob began his comedy career in 1986 when he entered the "Jewish Comic of the Year Contest" at the Going Bananas club in Philadelphia. He recalls, "the audience laughed and I was hooked." Television, radio, and personal appearances followed as he quickly honed his distinctive approach to stand-up comedy. He's been seen on "Good Morning America," "Showtime," "Comedy Central," and was featured on "Extra," TV's top-rated entertainment program, immediately following a segment on the size of Jennifer Lopez's buttocks. Today, Bob performs nearly 100 shows per year, drawing tremendous audience numbers and response wherever he appears. His act is clean, his humor is gentle, and he is a charming and affable comedian.

Bob is the author of two books that further showcase his considerable talents: Life Doesn't Get Any Better Than This which the Detroit Free Press called "a volume of spiritual gems," and A Rabbi Confesses, an award-winning full-color cartoon book based on his stand-up act. His comedy album, Bob Alper: Rabbi/Stand-Up Comic (Really) and his brand new CD, Guaranteed Funny: 101 Totally Clean Jokes, are best sellers.

Bob resides in Vermont with his wife Sherri, a psychotherapist. They are empty-nest parents of Zack and Jessie. Rabbi Alper has done hundreds of shows, from rabbinical conventions to Catholic women's conventions; from synagogues to churches, and even a mosque, from theatres all across the United States and Canada to theatres in London; comedy clubs, including the prestigious Hollywood IMPROV.

Note: Bob's performance is appropriate for all ages over 11. Material is suitable for persons of all faiths, with many shows performed for mixed and totally Gentile audiences. Alper uses flash-cards for the Judaically challenged.

Discussion topics

• "Comedy's Odd Couple" or "One Arab, One Jew, One Stage, Two Very Funny Guys." An evening of stand-up comedy with Rabbi Bob Alper and Egyptian-born Muslim comic, Ahmed Ahmed. (As seen on CNN, BBC, PBS, heard on NPR, and featured in hundreds of newspapers.)
• Scholar-in-residence weekend, including a sermon/lecture on "The Spirituality of Laughter" - a presentation based on Rabbi Alper's inspirational, poignant book, "Life Doesn't Get Any Better Than This: The Holiness of Little Daily Dramas." Weekend includes an evening of comedy.
• An extraordinary, unique night of clean, unhurtful, and very funny stand-up comedy. Program is 95 minutes in length.

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