He ll perform in Memphis as well as Nashville on his swing through Tennessee before heading over to England. He was in Florida recently and couldn t help making at least one reference to the presidential election drama. I say that not as a husband, not as a father or a rabbi. I say that as a comedian. Alper finds himself in a long cultural line of Jewish comedians, but as a seminary-trained Reform rabbi he s capable of sobering reflections about his honored tradition and craft.
Jewish humor is also a response to persecution and sadness.
There s a holiness in humor. It increases health and raises the spirits. It s a healthy thing that Jews use. And Jews are really in love with language. Good comedy is a linguistic exercise that requires precision.