I guess I was funny there. He studied social relations, a cross-pollination of three majors, sociology, social psychology and anthropology. As graduation approached, Alper couldn't decided between pursuing an MBA or the rabbinate. What pushed him over the edge was a friend applying to Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati who talked him into it. At least he'd have a friend there, he figured.
Rabbinical college requires a six-year commitment, including a year of study in Israel.
But once, when Alper presented a major sermon for faculty evaluation, he parodied the other student rabbis and won an award for sermon delivery and oratory. After that, there was no telling Alper that religion and comedy didn't mix. He was ordained in June 1972 and was hired by a congregation in Buffalo. When you do services, nobody applauds you. But they will laugh, which is a better kind of applause.